Patron Version Video: The Spring Pole Lathe
Added 2023-09-09 11:00:03 +0000 UTCFriends:
The wait is over! After nearly 2 months of design, building, and editing, the Spring Pole Lathe is complete. This was a big project with a massive learning curve and many challenges. The lathe was far harder than I expected, but I also came up with some innovative features and techniques that you can use on your own lathe build.
It's all here for you, including your exclusive Patron Tips that no one else gets.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
Comments
Nice throw-back project as it’s a great way to put a little spring into your step! You see what I did there… (I have no kids so everyone has to suffer through my Dad/Grandfather jokes, just ask my wife…).
Michael Gross
2023-09-12 15:44:55 +0000 UTCThese saplings last a long time. Probably a year or two a least. The bark keeps it from drying. As it does dry and become a little stiffer, it's common to take a draw-knife and thin it down a little bit. That extends the life of the pole even further. There are many mechanical ways to get the return action. Bungee cord seems to be the most popular, but the sapling was free, so I went the traditional route.
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 13:01:33 +0000 UTCThere are TONS of other ways to power the return spring mechanism, but in the spirit of just trying the time-tested solution, I went with the spring pole. It was free and works very well, so I'm not so keen to go messing with it.
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 12:59:30 +0000 UTCYou're very welcome!
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 12:58:04 +0000 UTCYou really can make one from this video. I covered all the important points even though I don't love the finished product.
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 12:57:56 +0000 UTCDid I say "dual action"? Ha! I really was tired.
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 12:57:23 +0000 UTCYou're so welcome! I'm satisfying to make content for such a great audience.
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 12:57:02 +0000 UTCI'm glad you like it. It was a lot of work!
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 12:56:32 +0000 UTCThey last a very long time. The way I built the lathe, switching feet isn't easy. That's a flaw in my build.
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 12:56:19 +0000 UTCOh, sure! Tons of people do that, but many enthusiasts prefer the action of the pole. It's supposedly smoother.
Rex Krueger
2023-09-12 12:55:42 +0000 UTCWhat happens as the spring pole dries? It seems like it would give out and crack at some point. Having to continue to source saplings seems less sustainable. Is there something mechanical to replace the spring pole?
JJ Hoffman
2023-09-11 17:46:27 +0000 UTCLooking forward to your next version. Question - have you thought of a spring mechanism, kind of like a low tension garage door spring on a rod. Just thinking out loud. Great video!
Marco P. Lascari
2023-09-10 04:21:04 +0000 UTCNice work Rex. Thank you as always.
Matt Evans-Koch
2023-09-09 23:48:29 +0000 UTCLooking forward to seeing MK2, I might even attempt one myself since noisy lathes don’t work well where I live. I’m thinking summer days outside under the eves happily making wood chips😁
Wayne
2023-09-09 23:26:20 +0000 UTCDid you mean "dual angle", not "dual action" for the bridge city plane? It's very fancy and I'm looking forward to the review. I guess dual angle would be dual action!
Joseph Vaughan
2023-09-09 20:26:35 +0000 UTCThat would be fun to make and now I am looking forward to the edited version. Thanks again, for you helping us to learn and encouraging us to be innovative.
Carlos Alvarado
2023-09-09 18:05:53 +0000 UTCCreating useful tools is great fun and very satisfying, as much fun as the projects you build the tools for. Great first iteration, await the edited version enthusiastically;)
John Griswold
2023-09-09 14:45:24 +0000 UTCHow long do those saplings last? Longer than your leg? Be sure to switch feet from time to time. You want to muscle up evenly.
Richard C von Brecht
2023-09-09 13:59:11 +0000 UTCRather than a spring pole, do you think something like a suspended beam with a bungee cord could do the job? Like a knock down A-frame that hung the cord directly down from above the lathe?
Daniel Tickle
2023-09-09 11:26:55 +0000 UTC
