Converting My Ancient Lathe with a Treadmill Motor

The used lathe I bought cheap could have been the one I used in junior high school. Changing speed requires loosening the motor and moving the belt to different pulleys. I'd read of treadmill motors being used in old lathes to allow variable speeds, so that's what I did.
I didn't realize that not all treadmill speed controllers involved turning a knob. The one I found on Craigslist cheap was nearly a hundred miles away. Had I known it used a touch screen rather than a knob, I'd not have made that drive.
But I made it work. It's a huge improvement over moving the belt from pulley to pulley, but I'd really rather have a knob.
At the end of the video, I'll ask you for advice on the future of this channel.

[@marvindiamonjr.9631]

Just add the wood turning to this channel. A variety of subjects is always nice. I enjoy watching all of your videos.

[@OregonOldTimer]

It would be easy to create a couple of woodturning videos a week. The videos I've been doing take longer to film and much longer to edit. I'm afraid a ratio of two or three to one in favor of woodturning would turn off many viewers of this channel. Still listening and thinking.

[@marvindiamonjr.9631]

@@OregonOldTimer Personally, I think the variety would be an asset. You could try it to see how it goes. Nothing is set in stone, and you could always change it later if it turns out not to be popular. That's my opinion anyway. You've got a unique style and I think it would work with just about any content.

[@chuckrobinson599]

Just post whatever you are doing at the time, I'll watch. I'm still partial to the crabbing videos, but I watch whatever you put up.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Thanks, Chuck.

[@zetuskid]

My personal opinion, which doesn’t hold water, is to keep them all together. I like them all and just want you to keep on producing them. Doesn’t matter, we’ll find them anyway but it would be easier if all together. Thanks! I can really relate to you getting old. Where did the time go. I’ve asked that question a lot of times since I lost my wife of 57 years back in October, 2021. Cherish the day!

[@OregonOldTimer]

I'll probably start a second channel for woodturning. Opinion is about 50-50, but reviewing channel analytics tells me to split off woodturning. As Jack Benny said in a different context, "I'm thinking it over."

[@johncrable3349]

@Oregon Old Timer how will we know when or where the second channel is?

[@trevorabrahamfixesbikes8662]

Please keep it all on the same channel!!! we love all your content!

[@OregonOldTimer]

Thanks. I'll be doing that.

[@BrentT1964]

My friend seems so to me you keeper all together We like your content no matter what you put on Your the Oregon old timer The ole saying is. Less is more Nice 👍 job

[@OregonOldTimer]

Just fine, thanks. Paint can use a bit of touching up and the floor could use sanding and a new coat of oil, but other than routine maintenance, it's solid.

[@guardianmx8567]

You have good content no matter what, so I would say that it doesn’t matter what the content is. Just keep up the good content!

[@OregonOldTimer]

Thanks for the kind words. My concern is, the videos I've been making involve a lot of me bumbling along, making mistakes, and solving problems. A lot of my personality comes through. Woodturning videos would be largely devoid of personality and may prove to be a turnoff for you and others. Thanks for input. Still thinking, I think.

[@guardianmx8567]

@@OregonOldTimer we visit your neck of the woods quite often. I’m always like, I wonder if that’s where the old timer lives. Or I wonder if we will see the handmade boat! Anyways, thanks for the reply

[@arniecash2457]

I don't think you need a separate channel, sounds like a lot of work, I enjoy the variety of content on this channel, but if you decide to do 2 channels I will watch both.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Good to know!

[@mattholden5]

HI @ Oregon Old Timer, if you're still taking requests I'd like more mechanical problem solving videos like this one. Thanks for keeping traditions alive and passing on knowledge.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Most such things I've done lately involve modifications to my sawmill.

[@laurencechesley7363]

Well Old Timer, I'm your estranged nephew. I dont think you'll believe me when I say...I have that EXACT same lathe. Its a Delta Rockwell Midi Lathe. And yes, it's old. I'm about to do the exact same surgery to mine. I have a 1 1/2 HP 120v DC motor, and I bought some other elec. components to turn it into a variable speed lathe. You gave me some excellent ideas on how to mount it. I'm also going to cut out a back access panel as well. As far as your question, HELL YES you should make and devote a channel to wood turning. I love watching the creators on youtube turn bowls and boxes. They're beautiful pieces of art. Rock on Uncle.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Well, nephew, I've ordered an upgrade. I've been turning only a short time, but long enough to have a good idea of what I need and what I don't need. I don't need, or have room for, a lathe this big. I mostly turn bowls, and, because the lathe has no reverse, I have to lean across the bed at times, and the bed is in the way of long gouge handles. The banjo doesn't move across the bed easily. I think the traveler that rides on the shaft is worn out and tilts on the shaft and locks up. The tailstock has no hole for a knockout rod, and the mechanism for popping out Morse tapers doesn't work. So I sold a couple of guns I never shoot and ordered a Laguna Revo 12/16 with the extension that allows turning off the other end of the headstock with no long bed to get in the way of tools. It should be here in May. Opinion is about even on including woodturning in this channel or starting another one. I'll stay with this one, at least for a while. Then we'll see. Let me know how your conversion goes.

[@laurencechesley7363]

@@OregonOldTimer well, if you put a DC motor in, all you have to do is reverse the Leeds and it will put it into reverse. But I will certainly let you know

[@OregonOldTimer]

You say yours is a Midi? Bed rails on mine are 44 inches.

[@laurencechesley7363]

@@OregonOldTimer Yes sir. I'm sure you know the three general sizes of lathes. A mini, midi, and full size. The full size. The full size can handle up to 16" round blanks. The "Midi" height from the rail to the center of the drive....I do believe...is 5 inches. And the length of the rail is 44 inches.which means the capacity of the midi is (safely) 9 x 38. Perfect for spindle turning. But not for side grain bowl turning. So I'm creating riser blocks for the head and tail stock so I can increase the capacity to 14 x 38

[@OregonOldTimer]

@@laurencechesley7363 Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know that's how lathe size classification works.

[@gmprouse874]

Same channel is fine. Keep the titles descriptive and maybe the picture of the finished product for the thumbnail. I will watch them thru my subscription to this channel. BTW, great idea to use the variable speed motor on the treadmill. Really makes the lathe easier to adjust speed!

[@OregonOldTimer]

Ok thanks.

[@Grizz270]

I really enjoyed your boat build your shop or carport addition and sawmill videos as well as getting the logs for the mill...my opinion is the wood turning will be a great addition to your channel but it is a good idea to start a backup channel .... consider having a channel for videos you don't think are quite good enough for this channel

[@OregonOldTimer]

Thanks 👍

[@mikekirkwood234]

One channel is fine. We can read what u are doing. Think most would watch it either way.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Most also favor one channel, so that's the plan, at least for now. Or soon. Or one of these days...

[@emgiwoodworks]

Put it all together, I really enjoyed your sawmill saga (still haven't watched the entire playlist) and its all related anyway. Keep em coming!

[@OregonOldTimer]

Opinion is about even, new channel vs this one. I'll start adding them to this one and see how it goes. My concern is, I can produce turning videos much easier and faster than the others, so there may be so many that people who like this channel but don't care for woodturning might drift away. I'll see how it goes.

[@emgiwoodworks]

@@OregonOldTimer Then please make some. I will be curious to see what you come up with. 😎

[@OregonOldTimer]

@@emgiwoodworks I have hours of video in the can, to borrow a term from filmdom. I'll make an intro and outro soon and start at the beginning. I want to show what it's like as a beginner, how skill and technique improve over time.

[@glenlivingstonegl]

Just a thought, as far as your belt length i use a flexible seamstress tape measure to measure the length thats the measurement marked on the new belts is the length,as far as your control panel leave it mounted on the board and hinge the top edge it will lay flat and out of the way as you said your space is limited, it may not be much but it will gain you a little bit of space,hinge it up set your speed the lay it down flat against the face of the lathe stand

[@OregonOldTimer]

Good ideas but ancient history. Been using a Laguna 12/16 for the last couple of years. Sold the Delta Rockwell to another beginner.

[@JamesCouch777]

I'm 71, I hope that's old enough to be an old timer. I'm in the middle of doing this same thing to my lathe.

[@OregonOldTimer]

I hope your treadmill motor has a knob for speed adjustment rather than buttons.

[@oldcountry220]

Wood turning on this platform would be kool. Please link new site if that’s the decision. Nice job on the conversion.

[@OregonOldTimer]

I'll definitely link the channels. Like Siamese twins.

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Just found your channel and subscribed. Very nice work

[@OregonOldTimer]

Thank you.

[@DaveIngle1]

Thanks for the video! Per your question, I would just keep the one channel for now and if you get a larger following for just the turning video's then consider it. I feel pretty young to you guys at 64... and a 1/2... Thanks for the video. I have my Dad's old lathe and jointer. Dad would move the motor he had between them. It would just sit on a hinge shelf and he would add tension to it. I have been thinking for some time to do what you just did. Do you believe the treadmill motor has enough torque for turning? I guess that would also depend on how aggressive of a cut is being made and how dull the tools are. Thanks Again from the young timer!

[@OregonOldTimer]

The motor I used had more power than the one that was in the lathe. I'm sure different treadmills have different sizes of motors. It would be good to check. I started a second channel that is only woodturning @OregonOldTimerWOODTURNING You dad had to swap the motor from one machine to another? Dang! And I thought moving the belt was a pain...

[@tedgarcia8922]

Awesome I'm waiting on some potentiometers to replace the huge control panel using a scr controller and control panel with a ac to dc bridge rectifier.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Your knowledge of such things is greater than mine, Ted.

[@paultrimble9390]

Yes sir. I like it. Remind me of my papa. He said as always tinkering he loved getting old motor off things even if it was just for copper. He passed in 91 when I was n high school. He sure would be in to ur channel if he knew computers and internet lol. Any way love the video. I’m checking ur channel out. I believe I’ll like it. So stay safe from ur ole hillbilly buddy.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Sorry for the late response, Paul. I don't know why YT notifies me of comments on my woodturning channel but not on this one. Thanks for watching.

[@eddiebarnes1743]

Have you considered using a segmented belt? That would allow you to make a belt of the correct length while mitigating vibration.

[@OregonOldTimer]

I sold that lathe two years ago, so it's somebody else's problem now. But, no, I hadn't considered the belt you describe. I didn't know such a thing existed.

[@silveravenger7732]

I think it would be fine on the same channel just to mix it up a bit.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Can't says I ever watched that one, but I understand the concept. Thanks.

[@dondeere]

i am going to do a old oliver i got all the stuff i may shout at you for help when i start if you dont mind

[@OregonOldTimer]

Happy to help, if I can.

[@robertskelton2576]

At 76 I don't consider myself an old timer. At what age will I become one?

[@OregonOldTimer]

You're getting close, Robert.

[@dondeere]

yes 2 seprtate . nice job i need to make some videos like the big boys but mine will be no standaed as you know qhy later buddy

[@OregonOldTimer]

Sounds good.

[@artshaw6962]

I like the channel as is but would be interested in a little wood turning too. I just would not like the channel to turn into only lathe work.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Thanks, Art. That's my concern, too. Turning videos will be easier and faster, so I'll have to be careful not to let them push out the sort of thing I've been doing. If I can't do that, I'll start a second channel.

[@SuperHurdman]

Yep I would keep them separate and just link the old timers channel to the new channel if someone would like to go watch it!

[@OregonOldTimer]

I'm thinking along the same lines.

[@stoweman34]

I think it should be a separate channel. I appreciate the randomness of your current channel…my favorite being that big fat salmon you caught.

[@OregonOldTimer]

I think the randomness is part of the appeal of my channel, so I'm inclined toward a separate but linked channel. Sorry to say we did not fish at all in 2021. Grim year all around. This year will be better. I hope.

[@stoweman34]

Oregon Old Timer It can only get better…hopefully. I just got a fishing boat to use in Garbaldi (we built a getaway place in Oceanside). I may start my own channel called “What the Hell Am I Doing”?, as I have no idea how to fish in the bays or the Ocean 😀

[@OregonOldTimer]

@@stoweman34 Great name for your channel. Maybe we'll see you on Tillamook Bay this year. But not today.

[@Wrenchen-with-Darren]

Keep one channel, at least, until you have more subscribers. 👍

[@OregonOldTimer]

Thank you, I will.

[@rccole1021]

1 channel...to much editing for two channels. good videos

[@Eric..F]

agreed.

[@OregonOldTimer]

Same amount of editing whether one channel or two. Editing woodturning videos is easy compared to whittling down dozens of hours of my usual videos to something short enough that you'll want to spend time watching it. No decision yet. Thanks for input.

[@Grizz270]

I was just thinking ...if you're concerned with overwhelming this channel with wood turning then go ahead and start another channel but also put afew of your wood turning videos of on this channel...see how many views you get in comparison to the other videos and check in KZbin studio the analytics to see if it helps or hurts the channel

[@OregonOldTimer]

Good ideas. Thanks, Grizz.