Drill Press turned wood lathe

[lucky.expert]

I needed a big round piece of wood to build a lamp, but of course I don't have a wood lathe to turn one. I am going to be wrapping the piece of wood with little sheets of aluminum to give it an aviation type look, so the wood doesn't need to be perfect, just nice and round. So I start thinking and decide I can turn my drill press into a temporary wood lathe. I built a little bit with little 'claws' to get a good grip on the top end. On the bottom end, just took a bearing and put a bolt through it. Ground down the end of the bolt to make a point, so the bolt spins with the inside of the bearing. I secured the outside of the bearing to a piece of wood, and so that's what holds the bottom of the wood piece. The wood in the picture is 4 2x4's glued together to make a hollow center. I held a skill saw sideways to get the general shape (probably not the safest thing I've ever done). It's not perfect yet, i need to use some files i have to get the diameter equal from top to bottom, but you get the point anyways.

 

[keithh2oskier]

That sounds super sketchy. Interested to see how it turns out. Good Luck. Stay safe.

 

[kbs2244]

Do a search.
It has been done before and you may get some ideas.

 

[InPrimer]

ever consider a 4" or so hole saw, used by plumbers usually to cut drain pipes etc. Can be stacked to desired height and glued up. The pilot hole from the saw will be big enough to thread the power cord.

 

[Sureshot]

Nice job. It is always more satisfying to have done a job with improvisation than the "proper" tools.

 

[theknurl]

Nice job. It is always more satisfying to have done a job with improvisation than the "proper" tools.

yes, and help clean the gene pool at the same time

 

[Stuey]

You should have at least turned the stock into a general octagonal shape before attempting to file it down.

They do make jigs similar to what you attempted. http://toolguyd.com/drill-press-woodworking-lathe/

That should give you an idea or two for next time.

 

[Twitchr]

Nice, good idea. Works in a pinch!

Is that a plotter in the background?

 

[Jim Johnstone]

Is that a plotter in the background?

Sure looks like it. Now I am curious too. Is that a drafting plotter or a vinyl cutter?

Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk 2

 

[lucky.expert]

yea the octagonal shape would have been a good idea, I could have used the table saw to do that. I'll remember that for next time, knocking the corners off that thing wasn't fun. I would love to have a real wood lathe to do it right, but wouldn't use it enough to warrant taking up the little space I have right now.. I'll post a picture of the finished lamp once I complete it to show what i needed this redneck wood lathe for.

And that is a 24" vinyl cutter in the background, but the knife can be replaced by a pen so it is a plotter too. It sure is handy to make my own decals for my different projects, I used to do some custom work so it has paid for itself.

 

[lucky.expert]

Final product for those interested:

 

[RetiredOldGuy]

For future projects you should know that the larger landscaping/gardening centers sell "peeler core" logs for landscaping projects. Peeler cores are the center of the trees they peel to make plywood and are anywhere from 4-6" in diameter and 6 to 8' long, depending on where the are bought.

But, if you still would need to make them bigger , or smaller, buy yourself an old Craftsman 36" wood lathe and mount it to a good plywood board. This lathe uses a round tube for the ways and is belt driven with almost any 1750rpm motor. You can find these lathes at yard sales or on craigs list for almost nothing. It is small enough to stand in a corner when not being used, then bolted to a table or bench when needed.

Drill presses are not really designed to take lateral loads, although your occasional antics most likely wont hurt it. Wood lathes are fun, almost therapeutical once you learn the basics.....

Mike

 

[LXCam]

Hey the project turned pretty cool, I like the way you cladded it. Hold on, is cladded even a real word..hum

 

[pendragon1998]

I really like your end result! It definitely has an aviation feel to it

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

Good job. I've used the vertical drill press at work many times as a vertical lathe
for making small parts when I didn't want to mess with dealing with the jerks
in the machine shop.
I liked the challenge of figuring out how to do it my way.

 

[mtm_motors]

This is awesome! I saw this on Eva's Instagram, cool to see the build on it!

 

[turbowoodworker]

Nice job.
You just invented the Shopsmith!