For those looking for plans to make a lathe, I've got a website for you.

Actually it's my website. I've been a traditional wood worker for over 20 years and still fascinated with the whole idea of avoiding modern machines whenever possible.

My drawknives, spokeshaves and planes hold much more regard in my mind that the typical bandsaws, tablesaws, etc. that seem to occupy most home workshops. I'm guilty of course of owning a couple of them, but only use them when I don't have the right hand tool to get it done.

I once saw a working treadle lathe in the restored Moravian village in Winston-Salem, NC about 20 years ago and it's been in the back of my mind ever since. I've toyed with the idea of trying to make a lathe several times, but always got side-tracked for one reason or another.

In the winter of 2007 I made up my mind to do it once again. This time I researched everywhere I could think of to find plans, but none I found suited me. For one thing I'm pretty tall and most plans for a homemade lathe were too short I feared.

Armed with the idea for a homemade lathe in my mind, I sketched for hours until I thought I had it figured out. I next made a set of scale drawings and went to work.

Many, many hours were spent trying to make a lathe. I also had to find sources for the bearings, axles, drive belt, drive spur, etc.

Once built, it took only a short time to coordinate my mind and body to be able to pump the treadle while working with my turning tools. As my lathe skills were at a beginner level, the slower speed of the turning stock actually helped me become a better turner.

So if you've ever wanted to make a lathe, just click on the link below for a lot more information, plans, suggestions and photos.