This video shows how to build a 14" swing bowl lathe that is a dream to work on. The bed takes Powermatic accessories. The one inch over-sized spindle bearings are 8 1/2" apart, giving you the stability otherwise only found in lathes that cost several thousand dollars. It has six speeds, selected by shifting the drive belt. If you want even greater convenience, a variable speed DC motor can be fitted. The DVD/video shows all this and more.

The steel required to make the various parts can be bought from your local steel supplier, ready cut to the lengths required. The headstock is made by welding together two U section pieces; the steel supplier may be able to bend these for you, or the bending can be done by any steel fabricating shop. The total cost for all materials should be well under $200. If you don't weld, any local welding shop can do the necessary welding for you.

A wood lathe is perhaps the hardest machine from which to capture all of the fine dangerous dust it can generate. However, every aspect of this particular lathe design works to aid dust capture. If you wish, you can build it originally to a dust free status, or modify it for this happy state of affairs later.

"Let's Make a Bowl Lathe" - $20 plus $4 S&H instructs you how to make the lathe and mobile base, ready for completion to dust free standards. Order Now!

C. Alexander
Wood Dust Consultants
P.O. Box 1904
Deming, NM  88031
Phone (575) 546-0227
calexanderworkshop@wildblue.net