Building a lathe from scratch

Building a wood lathe from scratch, using wooden bearings and wooden pulleys.
woodgears.ca/lathe/build.html
plans for the lathe available here:
woodgears.ca/lathe/plans/

[@SeanBailey1]

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.

[@Robertlavigne1]

+RimstarOrg Bootstrapping a lathe, who woulda thunk.

[@TLTVGR]

Now I understand why Adam Savage from Mythbusters said on facebook that your channel is his favorite one!

[@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.

[@tomstr21]

+John Heisz My uncle used to work in a company where they used beech I guess for wooden bearings for tractors.. It's maybe 25 years and they still ride :D :D

[@Evipicc]

+John Heisz I imagine you could put something to line it that you could replace consistently, like aluminium can strips.

[@obieezx11]

+John Heisz out of harder wood i think his concept was for the bloke with no tools

[@tylerboothman4496]

​@@Evipiccgraphite powder might work

[@KastaRules]

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

[@donknotts650]

+KastaRules "Handy" is a grave understatement in this case.

[@longshot789]

No green paint makes me think we haven't seen the last of this lathe will finally look like.

[@CDP135Z]

I 2nd that!

[@ansiaaa]

+longshot789 he said it's a prototype

[@sanderaits]

+longshot789 I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't expand on this prototype. He has said before that woodturning is not his thing and he even has a lathe that he barely ever uses. Although he might make some useful plans for sale and improve this just for the engineering challenge. Lets wait for next week I guess.

[@RickMeasham]

This project isn't anything but a way to shut people up and prove it can be done. He has a proper lathe already, but rarely uses it. Maybe it will be revisited with plans, but I wouldn't hold my breath!

[@Don.Challenger]

Well he did do some metal work in this video, the shaft points and such.

[@marcoabduarte]

i died laughing at the "i forgot to make a hole right here" hahaha that guy is a magician

[@0xbaadf00d]

Wow! You are actually using a lathe on a video! I thought I'd never see this day.

[@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!" .....Hilarious! 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?

[@jasonpatterson8091]

"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.

[@garydiaz7451]

same here bud

[@felixdietzCGN]

I'd love to see how well the wooden bearings hold up! I know you don't use the lathe that much but maybe you can give an update on that in a future video.

[@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.

[@JJiG]

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

[@floored3145]

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

[@craftedworkshop]

Incredible work as always, Matthias.

[@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 !

[@dennisafowler]

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

[@ajreukgjdi94]

all hail the true wood whisperer. As soon as you put the block in to turn, I was like Oh no, he's not going to get close to that while it's spinning is he? And then I realized you have much more confidence in your projects than I. And well earned confidence too.

[@pheenix42]

Mr. Wandel, put your electric motor on a piece of plywood that's hinged to the bench top. Gravity will keep the belt tensioned for you just fine.

[@dka0700]

+Alonzo Branson I'm also think some kind of belt guard? Seems reasonable.

[@kensmith5694]

+Alonzo Branson Yes, a gravity tensioner works great. You want just a bit of drag in the hinge ( or other drag). When you suddenly apply load to the spindle, the motor moves a little. Without a little drag it can start bouncing. Also, you can make the hinge so that the motor can be slid back and forth so that different pulley combinations can be properly aligned and tensioned.

[@jr52990]

1:34 this transition. I liked it.

[@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.

[@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.

[@edancoll3250]

When that hole drilled itself, I wasn't sure for a moment if this is Matthias or Frank Howarth

[@GeneGladden]

*eet eert* *eet eert* *eet eert* *eet eert*

[@youtubasoarus]

+Edan Coll He's a wizard. Holiosum Appearium.

[@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.

[@jukeman57]

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

[@KazeshimaD]

I've been waiting for you to make a lathe! Fantastic video as always, I love watching you build tools/mechanical stuff from scratch.

[@mihumus]

Another great building, Matthias. I'll be tunned to see the advances of it. Thanks for sharing!

[@Iliketomakestuff]

That turned out awesome! It looks way safer and more useable than my ancient Craftsman.

[@raslc]

+I Like To Make Stuff Is that the lathe that makes scary noises, so you don't use it?

[@Iliketomakestuff]

OffBeatSocker 2k I've only used it once. Never gotten back to it.

[@varun009]

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.

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

Very nicely done ! there is a lot of great easy answers to building a lathe in this video.

[@jono9549]

Awesome!! I like the idea of wooden bearings too. Cheap, renewable and functional

[@stolyarka76]

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!

[@KingRin]

Some real movie magic on that hole shot

[@briggal1]

Great project, I've wanted a lathe for a long time now I've seen what you have done I will have to give it a go when time permits. Have put it on my 'to do' list. Keep up the good work Matthias I really enjoy watching your videos. Thanks for posting them.

[@patrickholcomb9628]

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.

[@portabuddy]

You got a bump from Mr. Adam Savage himself off his FB page. Likes your style. You know he comes through ontario twice or thrice a year. I'm sure you two.would have some stuff in common. If you have seen his one day builds on tested

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

+Bart Koscow: on "Tested?" Not familiar with that

[@deserteagles948]

+T Smith it's a KZbin channel, some pretty interesting stuff. and some real craftsmanship.

[@michaelhenwood4046]

Hi,Matthias.I love to see stuff being built as well as doing it myself.Fascinating.

[@BrianSantero]

You never cease to amaze, Matthias.

[@EeekiE]

It's satisfying to watch tools make tools. (As in using a something half built used as a tool to build itself further, not that Matthias is a tool)

[@MattDiresta]

man so cool. i wish i could go inside you brain for like an hour and just see how it works. great job man

[@johnsmith-uq6vw]

everytime I watch one of your videos, it takes a confidence building project to make me feel like a mediocre carpenter. you are awesome.

[@Crazylalalalala]

Congratz Matthias, This video was featured on Popular Mechanics website.

[@jimic1972]

Matthias, like always in motivation to watch and learn from your projects, congratulations. Greeting from Chile.

[@TheMADGUY50]

My heart goes happy everytime I watch your videos, thank you so much

[@wolfgollnitz899]

Matthias, well done. I have my next project cut out for me. Beats buying one. Simple and straight forward design.

[@ronnielane238]

man you are slick as a peeled onion! my shop has been in need of some equipment for awhile. I am currently using some of your ideas to beef up my arsenal. I'm a creative guy myself,but it never crossed my mind to build a bandsaw and other such with wood. I try not to copy anyone's ideas completely so I always add a twist of my own. so thanks buddy for all your great ideas! I've really enjoyed your videos

[@sapelesteve]

Very enjoyable watching how you change designs on the fly in order to get things to work. That's the creative genius of Matthias folks...... :)

[@doodlefox9837]

Wow. the fact that you don't have a lot of tools makes this more inspiring! I think I'm gonna try this out myself!

[@metamech7383]

For those that haven't checked it out, Matthias big print is a VERY handy program. Small, efficient and worth every penny. You won't be disappointed if you purchase it.

[@orbsphere-]

I want to be like you when I grow up (BTW I'm 63 and watch every vid.). You already know the easy solution for keeping the tail stock shaft from slipping back on ya.

[@matthiaswandel]

+orbsphere See Friday's video for my solution.

[@KnowledgePerformance7]

+Matthias Wandel This is a Friday...

[@orbsphere-]

+Matthias Wandel Oh this Friday I went back and looked at last week again LOL, thought I missed something. No problem. I see where 5/8" for head and tail stock shafts allows for many off the shelf attachments. Have been thinking of a treadle but I get winded just thinking about using. Kudos

[@Paul-tm7ny]

As usual, you are the master. I was hoping you would come around and build one. Paul

[@JamesDElliott]

Wow, your video production skill are getting really good! As well as your drilling skills. Must be nice to be able to just point and a hole appears.

[@jjcc8379]

Using the unfinish Lathe wheels to ... lathe the grooves. That's clever. Very nice put altogether

[@johnbouttell5827]

What a fascinating video. Your dad would be proud of you.

[@david54780]

You should definitely do more of this type projects out of scratch, especially building tools out of scrap.

[@TheGeekPub]

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

[@DesandSam]

Would work? Wood work!

[@SEThatered]

Impressive. I would never thought you can make a lathe out of wooden parts like these. Why this is not on a national TV?

[@matthiaswandel]

+Eugen Afanasjev national TV isn't for this sort of thing. The answer is to stop watching TV and watch youtube instead.

[@BaconSniffer578]

You're such an inspiration Matthias!

[@thejoshmoss]

I think this is the most simple DIY lathe build I have found yet. Absolutely nothing exotic or unreasonably hard to do. Your homemade tool videos are the best. Whats is left to be homemade in your shop?

[@RLNTEX]

I just built a lathe from scratch using a drill as my source of power and other than that it is very cool that your design parallels mine. I must have been doing it right then. That to me is cool, I'm proud of it.

[@zytzef]

Congratulations Matthias , for getting featured on Mythbuster's Jaime and Adam's page. A well deserved recognition.

[@katzmosestools]

So cool Matthias! I love your stuff!

[@michalrimmerak1646]

Very nice lathe Matthias. Looks very rigid, great job.

[@amyoutube1464]

Love the simplicity. The absolute minimum of parts. After the basic lathe is there, it can be upgraded endlessly with longer bed, live tailstock centre point, etc. I don't have much use for a wood lathe in my shop, but I'd build this just to play around with it.

[@SlungBlade]

Nice work man. I'd tap some felt, wool, or some kind of coarse fibre in those oiling holes to act as a slow release for the lubrication. Used to be quite common to use that in old style oiling cups for machine tools. It'll help keep dust and grit out of there as well.

[@briggal1]

Another nice build, keep up the good work Matthias!

[@Blakeusblades]

As always Matthias... Nothing but a quality simple peice of awesome!

[@ComicBuying]

Awesome project and great video! Thanks Matthias!

[@thuglviz]

It is very hipnotising to watch Your videos Matthias. Great to learn and entertainmenting at the same time. Thanks for sharing.

[@andrewcooper3845]

That's Awesome. I've just finished building a lathe based on someone else KZbin video. I like a lot of your ideas and I learned why some of the things on mine don't work so well. Time for a little development I think. Thanks for all your great videos.

[@MichaelLawing]

Thank you! I've been hoping for this for a long time. Very cool process.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Awesome as always! Thanks for sharing!

[@MarinusMakesStuff]

Great work Matthias. I wish I had the opportunities to do this kind of work.

[@leon_mnl]

going to build one,when i am rebuilding my shed,this is my favorite channel,together with marius homberger

[@bigDbigDbigD]

i love that the new wood lath was used in it's own construction!

[@instiinctgaming952]

excellent work, always enjoy watching Matthias videos.

[@8-BitEngineer]

Great work Matthias! This is something I would love to replicate in the future.

[@fuqmee]

I love your tool-building videos, as they illustrate all manner of creating various machine components using wood. Invariably, you use a wide range of your shop's power equipment in your fabrication activities. It might be an interesting exercise to try to make one of these machines using only hand-tools... kind of a "post apocalyptic" or "Gilligan's Island" scenario where you are starting with something primitive and are trying to bootstrap your way up the technological ladder.

[@Harlequin314159]

Wow great job editing all that into ~8 mins.

[@DanPrudlow]

Cool build...always amazed at what you are able to conjure up.

[@Mienecus]

Very elegant, caused by it's simplicity. To make things simple is more complicated then makings things complecated. Bravo!!!

[@stevebucci8048]

I want to put in a plug for Matthias's Big Print program. I bought it last night and have played with it some today., I am very happy with it. I hope there is way to decrease pixelation as you enlarge, but even if there isn't, it works very well for making life size patterns. Thanks!

[@woodworks3585]

Nice work Matthias. I like that a lot. I made one of my own a few years back and I still use it now and then. Great video as always Thank you for sharing...

[@daniel923e]

I have come to the conclusion that you are a woodworking genius.

[@larchejacquesclarel9451]

awesome as always. I would love to see you do some projects with this fantastic lathe :)

[@MarindeVree]

Very cool Matthias! I love it how easy you make it look. But I guess it wasn't that easy and straight-forward.

[@ipunto54]

i loled hard when you use the belt sander on the counter point. keep the good stuff and the comedy up mate.

[@jamesmitchell5013]

You just continue to impress me sir and you work so quickly! :)

[@thecynic807]

You never cease to amaze me.

[@Traderjoe]

I assumed you had already had made a lathe and I just had not seen it. This looks quite good!

[@juliekroesche5987]

love your inventiveness, always working out a way to make stuff good vid

[@HisnameisRich]

"can bring them together really precisely" *thonk* got a chuckle from me!

[@bwbark]

Another excellent build and tutorial. Thanks.

[@patrickbriant479]

simple and brilliant Matthias : comme toujours ;-) Thank you for your ideas .

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Wow that is a very cool project! Great idea Matthias!

[@sandersmartinez387]

thankyou mathias for sharing your geniously woodworks god bless you

[@franciscogastardelli2395]

Simplesmente magnifico ,você é o cara ,tem pessoas que gastam tanto para montar um torno e você com uma simples mágica transforma tudo ,seu admirador Francisco ,abraços.

[@JustRonDon]

This was great! Love your editing!

[@DaveChurchill]

Nice touch with the hole point transition :)