Every time I've cut a wild chrry tree down I've coppiced it about three feet above ground. When I get the chance I'll be making some awesome bowls.

This is the first time I‘ve seen a spring pole lathe in action and, to be honest, I didn‘t even know something like this existed before you mentioned it on the podcast. As for the project: this is insane! I cannot believe you actually did this and the result is just amazing and astonishing, considering how it was made. At least to me. Awesome work!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks man! it is a tool that is meant for fun now-a-days, but only to twisted people like me.

Beautiful...really love how it turned out. Reminds me of an old ancient globe/map.

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

thanks. yes it does have that look to it!

That is fantastic James! It takes great determination and skill to master a pole lathe. however when you picked up that plane I couldn't stop laughing! I think that was the most efficient tool you had used on that lathe. Many blessings to you and your wife! Fantastic show.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL I actually used the plane to finish smooth the outside of the bowl. was really happy with that. I will have to experiment with it more.

Thank you to both you and Will for these great videos. I've been wanting to turn a bowl for a while now, but haven't been able to get a chuck yet. Seeing it done between centers is going to have me in the shop this weekend. Thank you!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! would love to see what you come up with!

Turned out nice...kudos to your patience to use that spring pole lathe.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Bruce.

good job with william on both bowls, pole lathes are a lot of work but the more you do the easier it will be have a good day my friend

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Gene!

Both bowls are beautiful, and I enjoyed your shenanigans on both videos. I learned about Wm. when he joined the podcast.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Bob. Will is a great guy. we will be doing more in the future.

Wow! Amazing!

I am IMPRESSED James. That was a lot of work but turned out really cool...cheers...rr

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Richard! this was defiantly a fun challenge for me!

Man, that is painful to watch James! So much work! Bowl turned out great.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL you should give it a try! it would drive you crazy! LOL thanks Man!

You are one of the hardest-working guys I've seen on KZread. I'm stymied. Nicely done.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL well thanks man!

Beautiful cherry burl to work with. And excellent patience turning it on a pole lathe. What a workout! Had a chance to turn both bowl and spindle on a pole lathe, but think I will stick with my power lathes. This old body is not up to that kind of workout.

@WoodByWright

4 жыл бұрын

I tis quite the experience!

Very nice bowl by any standard! The fact that you did that on a spring pole lathe.... Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL thanks Bill

Gorgeous bowl!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I was really happy with how that one came out.

Beautiful bowl. After watching both videos I am going to have to go with electron powered lathes though....lol. That is a crazy amount of work.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL I do not falt you!

waaaaaao, huge amount of work, you are the man!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL thanks man!

Nice work James! 👍👊😍

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thnaks fred!

I love to turn bowls, but if all I had to use was a spring pole I doubt I would love it as much. Excellent work, your legs must be nothing but muscle by now.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL the this is not the easiest way to do it. LOL there is a reason I am an ultra marathoner.

Very nice job!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thaks Craig!

Great job James! Don’t think I would have the patience or strength to do that. Turned out great!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL it is not for the faint of leg!

Wow! That is a great looking bowl, more amazing when I realize you turned it on the spring pole lathe. That is fine hand tool work. Please do a follow up after the drying.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Richard. I will defiantly be doing a final video showing how this one warped, and it is already going wild!

A center post with a few sides on it gets a much better grip on the line than the smooth round one. I've never used a lathe, but it's a trick I show people who are learning to make bow-drill fires; helps keep the spindle moving.👍

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

It does. But you generally go through cords 4-5 times faster.

@cavemanjoe7972

6 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright Weird, they last longer on my fire bows that way, because there's no slipping. I should've specified not exactly 'sides'; no corners, but just not evenly round.

Nothing like starting with an "easy" turning !!! Good job ! :-)

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL something like that!

Yep, I have tried pretty much everything you tried here while roughing out the outside. Finally made myself a set of bowls hooks. World of difference. Also a world of difference in how they work though so definitely a learning curve. And when you get a set of bowl hooks you’ll probably want to ditch the metal collar on the mandrel. You get going fast and get a catch and that metal collar will ruin your hook.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

I now have a set. I keep thinking of giving it a go again. We will see.

I know you said it in jest, but it is not silly hand tools. So don't put them down. You made it clear in your presentation. You are in it for the love and satisfaction of hand tools. Been waiting to see this piece since you put up the photo on FB. Lots of hard work with stunning result. I have just been given half a 'Jarrah' burl which I hope I can do justice to. But of course I cheat and use Electrickory

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks peter! that means a lot. looking forward to what you do with the Jarrah! a lot of fun there!

Great looking piece James, I really don't know how you can be bothered but really glad you do!!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Andrew. it was a ton of fun to make

Oh, sure, tell me I can turn a bowl between centers after I've spent the money for a chuck system. Thanks (sarcasm). Seriously though, nice bowl. That burl is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with James, Will. I be over directly to see what you did with you half, Will.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL sorry man! don't have too much fun!

Wow that looked like a lot of work. It must become more of a challenge and an accomplishment. The giggling though.. ... that made me laugh. Sounded like.... "what am I getting myself into?" :)

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL that is about what the giggling meant. it was more then I expected but worth every moment of it!

Good stuff, that looked pretty challenging .I need the power haha

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

Lol. I wish I had the power.

Carbide tools with a spring pole lathe? Messin' with my mind!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL got to mix it up and have fun. I really need to get a set of hook knives for it.

@joauldable

3 жыл бұрын

@@WoodByWright check out Robin Wood pole lathe turner - or Ben Orfid - the tools they use are bespoke (very different from a hook knife). Im just getting into pole lathe turning so can appreciate how good a job you have done with this. Bowl looks great.

Thanks for sharing

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thnaks Tim

The last piece you removed from the inside center might be make a head for a small careers mallet. Good Job on the Bowl, It turned (no pun intended) Out Great James. Thanks for the video.

@jeffkerr4249

6 жыл бұрын

Carvers mallet. careers?

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

great minds think alike. I was thinking of a plane adjustment mallet.

Both beautiful bowls; I do prefer your finish, a drying oil just makes so much more sense.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks. there are a thousand ways to do it. it is always nice when you find the way that works for you.

WOW that’s beautiful. Very cool seeing how you go about making the bowl by hand tool method. One thing you miss/ how much of a work out it is I’d be looking for the oxygen lol. But again incredible video James.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL no there is a reason I am an Ultra Marathoner. thanks Thom!

Awesome bowl ... love that burl!!! Your right leg is going to be huge if you do much more of that!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

There is a reason I swiched legs.

That's a beautiful burly bole.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Angel!

An old Plum (or other brand) roofing hatchet makes an excellent chopping hatchet. They are light and thin so they don't split anything well but you can put a good edge on them and chop like mad.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

that is a great idea! I have a few heads here that need handles. but it is one of those projects that keeps getting bumped.

@timthompson3817

6 жыл бұрын

Tyler Woods I like using roofing hatchets as well.

Plane on a lathe never seen it. Wow man power has more options to turn a bole

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL power does make it a ton easer!

I demonstrate a pole lathe at Medieval living history events. I have tried bowls on several occasions and have significant problems with inertia, difficult to get such a weight to change direction every couple of seconds. The moment the chisel bites the whole thing stops dead! The metal pin idea didn't work at all for me, the sideways force applied by the rope just parted the joint. I used the 'Yorvic' idea of the mandril tapered into a drilled hole which was much firmer. Full marks for the video but until I enter the cycling event at the Olympics I'll stick to making Spurtles, meat bashers and spindles!

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

LOL yes bowls are a pain and take forever!

Oh my gosh, that turned out WAY better than i expected. Great work, I'm really liking what you're doing with this lathe!!!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks man! I do like a challenge!

You mentioned that you are expecting, and wanting, the bowl to crack. I agree. It will add to the beauty. Question.... When it does crack, will you put more finish on the inside of the crack or leave it dry?

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

correct. I will wait till it fully dries and put another coat or two of finish on then.

This is one of the most impressive bowl turning videos I have ever seen. The amount of effort you put in to this is incredible. I got so anxious watching you do this from the start just knowing how much work and frustration you were going to have. Well done.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL yup. it was fun. Thanks!

At 5:47 I wanted to cry with you!

DUDE... 12 seconds worth of watching you turn this with that foot pedal and I'm already exhausted!!! You're either overly dedicated, or need to be medicated!!! HAHAHA!!!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL or a bit of both! there is a reason I am an ultra marathoner!

@BigLousClubhouse

6 жыл бұрын

you'd almost have to be!!!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL well, to be honest, it is easier then it looks as you can switch from leg to leg and you are constantly stopping to check on things. most people can pick it up in a day of use.

Amazing job! Watching you is truly inspiring! This is one of the only turning videos that really captivated me from start to finish

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

well thanks man. that means a lot!

Beautiful bowl, but man that process looks like a beating. Lol. Great job

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL that is the fun part. but I am a bit twisted! LOL

Quite a leg workout! When you say "Semi stupid" (-: if we are talking practically, and the old timers would have been very practical, I guess that was pretty much off the scale that lath, unless you bolt it to the floor and\or make it with heavier sections. I do like the manual lath thing however, and I am sure they can be very practical. a fellow woodworker near by made a wooden lath with a flywheel and a foot peddle (a very large mdf flywheel so stable and heavy), once it gets moving it's a smooth maintainable flow, with a decent amount of power.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

very true there are far better lathes for this kind of work, but I do not have one in the shop... Yet!

@docdoc

6 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright yet (-:

a super job by a slightly insane man ;)

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Wow!

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. That was a fun one.

Just a thought- could you put the tool holder on the other side of the lathe, so you get more leverage on the foot pedal? (you'd have more travel, but I think for situations like this it might be desirable)

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

I could, but more leverage is not the problem. that would just make the work slower. in the end, this is not the easiest tool to turn a bole on. it is more of a fun experiment.

Was that a cordless drill I saw in your shop? I have one too. You have inspired me to restore my grandfather’s old tools. Keep up the good work.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL yup I have a pile of power tools, just don't use them for video projects.

When it cracks can a bow tie be used and some resin to fill the crack

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

you could, but it will probably contenue to crack over and over again and a bow tie may just make the matters worse as the end grain crack will expand and contract through the seasons.

Looks great James. After watching all of the struggle with the springpole lathe, why not make a treadle lathe? It'd still be all hand powered but you wouldn't have such a hard time.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

a flywheel lathe is on the list to make but that is a long list. The big thing is the spring pole is just so much more fun to master as it is so much more difficult. a flywheel lathe is much faster and easier but loses all the fun of rubbing your head and patting your stomach.

@ardenthebibliophile

6 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright your masochism knows no bounds!

Respect! Do the leg hurt? What a work... "just" for a bowl. And today you can print things...

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL no there is a reason I am an Ultra Marathoner

@Hannobaum83

6 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright, respect again! I would have stopped at the point where you use the axe to shape it.

I think that when bowl turning on a foot powered or spring pole type lathe your modern type tools do not work as well as the traditional hooks in my opinion.. I turn both on modern electric lathes as well as spring pole. Modern tools are designed for a continuous rotation so a chiseled edge is more efficient where as your foot powered lathe is reciprocal where a knife like edge is more efficient. I demonstrate and teach 18th century green woodworking which encompasses spring pole lathe turning and use both modern and traditional tools.. Your traditional hooks do have a learning curve but there are actually a number of great videos here on you tube. Ben Orford has a great one on the subject. Another piece of advice when turning the outside of the bowl . starting at the bottom and working to the rim is the easiest approach . it is easier to get true and then follow the cut to the top or the rim.. Turned out fabulous.. Good luck and keep up the good work.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

Very true. It is on my list to get a set, but as I do not have them yet I was not going to let that get in my way of turning a bowl. Got to work with what you got.

Incredi-burl!

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

Loved how that one popped.

A few years down the road: How much did it crack once it dried fully?

@WoodByWright

Жыл бұрын

A good bit less then I thought. I have showed it in a few different videos, but there is one crack that is about 3/4" long and a chip on the rim where I dropped it.

You need to make another lathe based off of a see saw and put one of your kids on either side to get some momentum going! Put those freeloaders to work! lol

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL I like the way you think!

whats the significance of an elm stump? coincidentally, i have one in my shop now.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

Elm is immensely difficult to split and because of that makes a great chopping block.

What is used for your rope or string for your spring lathe

@WoodByWright

3 жыл бұрын

I now use paracord. it is more durable then leather.

Okay let's be honest how long did it take you from start to finish? What you did was absolutely gorgeous, you are an artist! Stay true to your beliefs, hand tools rock! Well for you anyway...LOL. Cheers Sean

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Sean. it took 4 days and about 12-16 hours total. My original estimate was 3 hours LOL

@sjscreations2608

6 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright that's a slight under estimate. Pretty much like when I step onto the scales and weigh myself, or how many pieces of chocolate I eat, or even when I wind down the window and explain to the cops how fast I was going! Perfect preparation equals perfect presentation! Cheers

You are crazy! Give in to the dark side. Get a powered lathe! Looks great though!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

I think I will just get a respectable flywheel lathe first. but who knows!

WoW

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL

Damn you make a Amish look like a slackers

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

LOL I use to work near an Amish work shop and they laughed at me for not using power tools.

You need to invent something that uses a gear setup and a flywheel so that you can power it and its always spinning in the same direction.

@WoodByWright

3 жыл бұрын

I don't have to invent it. That's called a flywheel lathe. They are more efficient but nowhere near as fun.

You are a mad men but we love it.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

got to have a bit of madness to have fun!

What kind of cord are you using?

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

Just paricord. I use to use leather which gives a bit grip but costs a ton more and wears out easy.

Surely that mechanism can be improved with a flywheel?

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

Lol I could, but then it would be a flywheel lathe and that would kill all the fun.

@bclaus0

6 жыл бұрын

haha, I don't know a thing about lathes, especially not manually driven ones. Fun is definitely the most important factor.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

the spring pole is the oldest version of lathes, going back before the Egyptians, but it is by far the most chalenging. which makes it a lot of fun.

How about a foot powered bandsaw or jigsaw

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

I am working on a scroll saw. usually the band saws are hand powered. but I might some day.

I guess I don’t consider carbide cutters “traditional “ tools.

@WoodByWright

Жыл бұрын

No. A carbide cutter isn't a traditional tool. However, it is basically just a scraper which is a traditional tool. The only difference between a carbide cutter and a scraper is that the carbide cutter lasts longer between sharpenings.

Love your enthusiasm - but an electrical lathe may not be a bad idea... but great end product - as usual

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

thenks. but the reason for a spring pole lather is not to turn and make things, but the fun of using a spring pole lathe. I just happen to turn things out on it from time to time while having fun.

BUY SOME TOOLS 🤣

@WoodByWright

3 жыл бұрын

that is what my wife said!

Semi stupid??? The gouges are the wrong tool for the pole lathe mate. Ya should check into hook tools. They allow a bowl of that size to be turned under 20 min in experienced hands. Love the video mate!

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

Yup I have the hook tools. But for this I was experement and playing around.

So, have you bought a powered lathe yet? 😏

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL if anything this really makes me want to go back to a powered lathe. but that being said a flywheel lathe is on the build list.

@Yonatan24

6 жыл бұрын

Hey! No swearing here! :)

And when your done, your legs look like Popeyes arms!

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

lol there is a reason I am an ultra marathoner!

Hi James, I am an old german guy and I am can't good speak english. I think, you need another lathe. What do you think about a treadle lathe like this kzread.info/dash/bejne/o6uMy9Wyd9jfXbw.html. I like to see your clips on KZread since you begin this. I wish you all the best. Sincerely Wichard

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Wichard. someday I will build a flywheel lathe, but that is a long way off. I use the spring pole lathe not because it is good at it but because it is a challenge. that is what makes it fun. and your English is great.

Very cool. But please please use leg protection when using a chainsaw! It only take one time, one split second of kickback and the artery running down your leg is severed and you're wondering if you're going to live to make it to the hospital, let alone long enough to turn another bowl. Chaps can be bought for $50. I wouldn't cut without them no matter how easy I thought it was going to be.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

good point, but where is the fun in that.

@si.taze10

6 жыл бұрын

Wood By Wright to each their own I guess lol but be careful!

The German pole lathes are not so eficient on wood turning and they are slow .English style lathes are better and faster . So I think is a lathe problem.

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

LOL there are a lot of issues that make this a poor lathe for turning a bowl, but the challenge is the fun part!

🍌🍌🍌

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

thanks Brian

1st

@WoodByWright

6 жыл бұрын

you are my favorite person of the day!

Nice result but please throw your pole lathe away and make a real one, check out wooden way on you tube

@WoodByWright

2 жыл бұрын

Lol. I have four different lathes. This one is the least efficient and is not the one you choose when you want to make something. But it is definitely the one you choose when you want to have fun. It is a pure joy to play with.

Your hatchet was working against you and your lathe was working against you. I like what you are doing try to tighten things up

Why do you Americans,when you file something,you file up and down instead of horizontal,I see this a lot from you guys

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

It depends on the file. Some only work in one direction or another but most work just as well in either direction. I will use the file in both directions depending upon its use but in this case it just feels easier to do it that way.

I thought it said spring pole lathe. This is an under-slung s pring with a rocker arm. I don`t think this is a good design for turning bowls. Plus, ahook tool would work much better.

Dude. Clamp your lathe to a workbench or something. Or angle the base. I'd have lost my temper five minutes into working on such a wobbly situation.

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

You do not notice it as you are the one moving it. And in doing so you move in perfect sync with it

I'm sorry to say, but this video is the most shocking representation of green woodworking I have ever seen. Firstly your lathe is obviously not heavy or robust enough to turn bowls on, and secondly no mention of the traditional hand forged hook tools that were used. I'm really disappointed James, educate yourself man!

@WoodByWright

5 жыл бұрын

this is not about historical woodworking. at that point I did not have hook tools as I just had made it. as to the weight that is normal for a travel spring pole lathe, but when moving it yourself you are moving with it so it does not make a difference.