Building a lathe from scratch

Building a wood lathe from scratch, using wooden bearings and wooden pulleys.

plans for the lathe available here:

[JohnHeisz]

Neat, simple solution for the drive spur, and the wooden bearings are an interesting choice. They wear, but not quickly and you can always just make new ones as they do.

[SeanBailey]

That edit with the "drill a hole right here" was really awesome.

[RimstarOrg]

Awesome project! And yet again (4:18) we see you using the tool you're building to build the tool you're building.

[TheGeekPub]

WOW. I would have never believed those bearings would work! That's greatness Matthias!

[KastaRules]

I've seen handy people but you are on a whole other level !!!

[floored]

Matthias doesn't have annoying intros or mid video advertisements. Straight to the point from start to finish.

[Mauromoustakos]

Your voice is clear and friendly.
Your explanations go step by step and are clear.

Best of all, and unique in all youtube, you show how pieces should be put together before you put them. This offers the general picture, and allows for much better understanding and interest.

I think you are a genius.

[WhatsupWayneLWC]

I really enjoy watching your build projects.

[thirtysixzed]

So satisfying to watch. I have no idea what he saying or what he is doing or making. But I still watched it all and was not disappointed.

[jasonpatterson]

"If I had a penny for every time somebody suggested I build a lathe, I'm pretty sure that by now I'd have like... a dollar." I lost it right up front. Thanks Matthias.

[hakonsoreide]

I think I'll end up watching all your videos eventually. I think they are brilliant. They contain basic woodworking skills, problem solving, engineering challenges, thriftiness, and they are entertaining even if none of those things interest the viewer. As a beginning woodworker, I find them very inspirational. If I'd only had the space for it, I'd get through many of your project builds some day. As it is, I have a tiny British garage (the kind that doesn't really fit a car – at least not if you're planning on getting out of it or into it while it's in the garage), so there is only space for a workbench, a little bit of building material storage, and some tools. I want to squeeze in a lathe and a table saw too, but anything else would have to be collapsible to be tucked away when not in use.

[JJiG]

Man I love the creativity you have while making plans and these videos. good job man.

[stolyarka]

Thank you for your video Matthias! Very important for the expensive equipment now. I'm from Russia, here today, the machine costs a fortune. Your machine is easy at a minimal cost, and everything works. Thank you for your work and the ability to share the experience!

[dennisafowler]

As an engineer just starting out in woodworking, I really enjoy your projects. Creative, practical, and very well done!

[BrassLock]

A great idea to rekindle interest in wooden bearing blocks; they were used in early Australian windmills so farmers could repair them with local materials. Popular Mechanics featured a cement mixer with them also. I think this lathe will be most popular for folks (like me) who have a spare table-fan motor in their shed !

[learnerlearns]

I love it! You start explaining how you'll build a lathe in front of an existing but seldom-used lathe. Then the classic Matthias droll humor...
"If I had a penny for every time somebody suggested I build a lathe, by now I'm pretty sure I'd have ...like a DOLLAR!"

I presume there is some reason you will build a spare lathe. Certainly this one will be lighter and easier to move. Perhaps a prototype for sellable plans?

[jukeman]

Matthias, you are just a genius. Your videos are always so interesting. Thank you.

[patrickholcomb]

I still love the mistakes and corrections you show on camera! Others show everything they did right on camera and a magically finished product at the end... thanks for being human and humble enough to show the process. Mistakes ultimately lead to success. Keep up with your methodology, another excellent video.

[varun]

This video is so reassuring! For most machine functions you can find a reasonably effective hand-held alternative. Eg. Table saw = cicular saw/hand saw/gouge plane (depending on function) but I've never been able to find an alternative for a lathe which I think is essential to doing good furniture (something I enjoy) and the thought of buying one can be very intimidating. Thank you for sharing; I'm a huge fan.

[JamesRPatrick]

THIS IS AWESOME! Designing power tools made of wood is so counter-intuitive but you make it look easy. Must be something in that Canadian water.