Foot-powered lathe

[ericpmoss]

Kinda fun, and nicely filmed process of making a foot-powered wood lathe:

The foot-powered lathe. [VIDEO]

[Simonhi]

I can't believe nobody has replied yet, I think that is the coolest thing I've seen in a long while, if I had an ounce of that guys inginuity I wouldn't be working a desk job !!!

Thanks for sharing.

[false_aesthetic]

So fucking rad!

[jscottyk]

Hard.
Core.

full stop

[mjbabcock]

if I had an ounce of that guys FREE TIME I wouldn't be working

Fixed it for you.

[alexstar]

To make something so grand out of basically nothing? That's just incredible. I'm inspired now.

[gjuffer]

It's only a matter of time before this type of woodworking is as trendy as frame-building. All this guy needs is a fitted oxford shirt and some twizzlers and he's the next Sachs (FWIW).

[Ourizo]

Hand made to the max !

[ericpmoss]

If only I could make furniture like that guy!

[fat cat]

I recall a few times in my youth when my older brother walked by as I watched freestyle bmx videos and he said things like, "Some people have too much time on their hands." Maybe the pro riders were privileged with relatively little responsibility and much opportunity, but maybe they used their time wisely and were just plain talented at riding, or maybe their situation was a combination of the two. Either way, my brother's snide remarks seemed misplaced, because he, like seemingly everyone else, was far from constantly prudent with his time. Maybe our "free time" isn't so different from those whose "free time" we critique. I hope, mjbabcock, that your comment wasn't meant to diminish any perceived value of this man's effort.

And gjuffer, in response to your FWIW, as one who was once very mindful of "trends" and such, I find no worth in it. No matter how "trendy" frame building and sans-electricity wood working and other similar ventures may be or become, I consider that "trendiness" "insignificant" compared to what I consider the benefits of such efforts, especially since over time one's motives may change. As "trends" come and go, we sometimes are left with helpful knowledge and resources in their place.

Perhaps needless to say, I find this foot-powered lathe awesome, especially as this summer I've been wondering if a practical human-powered steel lathe would be possible. I imagine that's a long way off, though...