Turning

There are many types of lathes, including those that:

• can turn pieces several metres long and others only a few centimetres;
• can work animal materials such as bone, metals such as steel, copper and brass, natural materials such as wood, as well as many others including resin based materials;
• can hold workpieces on one side only, allowing for example the hollowing of the inside of vessels, or hold them on both sides to shape the outside of a piece

(it is also possible to hollow the inside while holding the piece on both sides; this technique was used in the Middle Ages to produce items such as bowls).

We chose the simplest version of an ancient design, with a point on each side to hold the workpiece.

The next step was to decide on the material: wood, metal, stone or clay.

We chose metal, more precisely a cast copper alloy for the base, with hardened steel points.

To operate this lathe, both hands are required.

The first hand rotates the workpiece using a cord wrapped around the wooden or metal piece, turning it in one direction and then the other, repeatedly.

The second hand holds the tools used to remove material and shape the form.

When turning wooden pieces between two points, it sometimes happens that the pieces break.

Examples of broken pieces.