The Wood Turner's Handybook - A Practical Manual for Workers at the Lathe: Embracing Information on the Tools, Appliances and Processes Employed in Wood Turning. Paul N. Hasluck

The Wood Turner's Handybook - A Practical Manual for Workers at the Lathe: Embracing Information on the Tools, Appliances and Processes Employed in Wood Turning

the tool is cutting across the grain and even upwards across it. This varying grain angle limits some of the tools that may be used and requires additional skill in order to cope with it.

The origin of woodturning dates to around 1300 BC when the Egyptians first developed a two-person lathe. One person would turn the wood with a rope while the other used a sharp tool to cut shapes in the wood. The Romans improved the Egyptian design with the addition of a turning bow. Early bow lathes were also developed and used in Germany, France and Britain. In the Middle Ages a pedal replaced hand-operated turning, freeing both the craftsman’s hands to hold the woodturning tools. The pedal was usually connected to a pole, often a straight-grained sapling. The system today is called the ‘spring pole’ lathe. Alternatively, a two-person lathe, called a ‘great lathe’, allowed a piece to turn continuously (like today’s power lathes). A master would cut the wood while an apprentice turned the crank.

As an interesting aside, the term ‘bodger’ stems from pole lathe turners who used to make chair legs and spindles. A bodger would typically purchase all the trees on a plot of land, set up camp on the plot, and then fell the trees and turn the wood. The spindles and legs that were produced were sold in bulk, for pence per dozen. The bodger’s job was considered unfinished because he only made component parts. The term now describes a person who leaves a job unfinished, or does it badly. This could not be more different from perceptions of modern carpentry; a highly skilled trade in which work involves the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges and concrete framework. The word ‘carpenter’ is the English rendering of the Old French word carpentier (later, charpentier) which is derived from the Latin carpentrius; ‘(maker) of a carriage.’ Carpenters traditionally worked with natural wood and did the rougher work such as framing, but today many other materials are also used and sometimes the finer trades of cabinet-making and furniture building are considered carpentry.

As is evident from this brief historical and practical overview of woodwork, it is an incredibly varied and exciting genre of arts and crafts; an ancient tradition still relevant in the modern day. Woodworkers range from hobbyists, individuals operating from the home environment, to artisan professionals with specialist workshops, and eventually large-scale factory operations. We hope the reader is inspired by this book to create some woodwork of their own.

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SCREW THREADS:

AND METHODS OF PRODUCING THEM.

WITH

NUMEROUS TABLES AND COMPLETE DIRECTIONS

FOR USING

SCREW-CUTTING LATHES.

By PAUL N. HASLUCK,

Author of “Lathe-Work,” “The Metal Turner’s Handybook,” &c.

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS.

      THE

      WOOD TURNER’S

      HANDYBOOK.

A Practical Manual

FOR

WORKERS AT THE LATHE:

EMBRACING INFORMATION ON THE TOOLS, APPLIANCES AND PROCESSES EMPLOYED IN WOOD TURNING.

PAUL N. HASLUCK, A.I.M.E.

AUTHOR OF “LATHE-WORK,” “THE METAL TURNER’S HANDYBOOK,” ETC.

WITH UPWARDS OF ONE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS.

PREFACE.

THIS hand-book forms the second of a Series of HANDY-BOOKS FOR HANDICRAFTS. Some of the matter and illustrations may be identified as having been taken from various technical periodicals to which they were originally contributed by me. A few of the items originated from other sources, but have been re-written for publication in this hand-book.

The lathe, which is claimed to be the creator of mechanism, is a machine in which all mechanics should be interested. A knowledge of the art of turning finds useful application in all the mechanical arts. Not only is a large proportion of the community employed in these arts, but individuals interest themselves in their practice, as affording pleasurable and profitable recreation. Turnery occupies many workmen, and has special claims on amateurs. If this handybook tends to promote this fascinating and useful art my object will be attained.

THE METAL TURNER’S HANDYBOOK, which forms a companion volume, I would recommend to the notice of those who are interested in that branch of the Art of Turning.

P. N. HASLUCK.

LONDON,

February, 1887.