Simple treadle lathe power for Craftsman lathe

I could never do that—it’s kind of like patting your belly and rubbing your head at the same time.

-- Lizardhead---Yeah but it's a dry heat--Tempe, Az

Impressive!! Reminds me of my Grandmothers old treadle sewing machine.

-- Kelly, woodworker under construction

What rpm’s can be generated? Obviously it works.

-- "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what others say you cannot do."-Walter Bagehot

Great idea, well executed also. As long as you have light you can work with no power

-- Norman

Very environmentally friendly.
Now you need a little generator and you are set for lights and some tunes .
Great stuff .

Kiefer

-- Kiefer 松

that would be one way to keep warm while turning in the winter. thanks for the project and links.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Very cool idea! I just happen to have a lathe just like that standing in the corner not being used, may I’ll copy your idea.
MIKE

-- See pictures on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/44216106@N07/ And visit my Facebook page - facebook.com/MTEnterprises

Hi John, I am not sure about the rpm’s, I guess it is limited by how fast you can pump it!

-- Scott in North Carolina

Great, simple design. I love it and want to build one. What model lathe is that? Is it available without a motor?

-- Dave S., Bellingham, WA

cool!

-- Scott "Some days you are the big dog, some days you are the fire hydrant"

Hi Dave, I don’t know the model, but you can find them on Craigslist, I got mine for $100. The electric motor works but I just set it aside.

-- Scott in North Carolina

I so want to build something like this! I will have to check Craigslist for some lathe parts.
Thanks for sharing.
Well done.

-- Central Ohio, Still got 9 and 15/16 fingers!

Hi. I have a couple of questions: I’ve seen other videos of treadle lathes and I believe yours; the wheel is spinning in the right direction? Other, and probably most important for what i want to learn is How do you decide the dimensions and angles of the components from the wheel to the pedal; because again, it looks different than others and I kind of like what I see here.

-- When you think that I am buried and I will revive. (folio 59ii RECTO). Codex Atlanticus. Leonardo da Vinci. c.1490

I don’t think the dimensions are very critical. I mounted the wheel as low as possible, and the treadle mounting point is just a couple inches away from the center of the wheel. I just put it together and it worked fine the first time, but my plan was to just drill more holes and remount components in different places if needed.

-- Scott in North Carolina