TREADLE POWERED Lathe | 150 Years Old

In the video below I am using for the first time a 150 years old TREADLE POWERED LATHE to make new wooden handles for old files. Absolutely extraordinary experience and pleasure. So simple but so effective, brilliant. Coming across this old wooden lathe was pure coincidence.

Treadle powered lathe in full speed.
Treadle powered lathe in full speed.

I heard from a friend that the neighbors will demolish an old building, also he pointed out that they have some old wooden tools. I went there and spotted this amazing treadle powered lathe. We pulled it out and piece by piece I installed it in my traditional workshop. It was too heavy and too big to be carried in. I did some minor maintenance, but nothing major. Finally, the day came! Today I am testing it out for the first time ever. 

Here I just started shaping the wooden piece on a treadle powered lathe.
Here I just started shaping the wooden piece on a treadle powered lathe.

In the video below you can enjoy watching where I am using a 150 years old treadle powered lathe!

About The 150 Years Old Treadle Powered Lathe

The person who sold it to me said that this one was built between 1800 and 1900. Can you imagine that? Despite the broken roof and open to the weather, the lathe stood the test of time. I can’t believe how solid it feels. It is constructed from wood, for the joints I see there are hand forged bolts. The main flywheel is also from wood, quite heavy actually. The only worm part is a belt, but in operating order. It works perfectly after small adjustments and greasing. 

I pulled out a treadle powered lathe from this leaning building without almost any floor.
I pulled out a treadle powered lathe from this leaning building without almost any floor.

The Handles Making Process

I started by punching the center hole on both ends on a wooden piece that I used in this video to make wooden handles.

Marking the center, so I can easily attach and secure on the treadle powered lathe.
Marking the center, so I can easily attach and secure on the treadle powered lathe.

After securing the wooden piece with the screw, I started stepping on the board to spin the wheel. At first it felt a bit difficult, but adding oil to the end of the wooden piece helped to spin freely.

Checking out to see how it looks after a short period of spinning on lathe.
Checking out to see how it looks after a short period of spinning on lathe.

I spent approximately 60 min to shape the wooden piece into two handles. It felt amazing to operate the treadle powered lathe and make something on it.

Started making a round shape for the end of the handles.
Started making a round shape for the end of the handles.

To finish the handles I sanded them, made two copper rings and attached the two old files to the handles.

I made copper rings to attach on the handle in order to prevent handle cracking. I did branding on both rings as shown on the picture above.
I made copper rings to attach on the handle in order to prevent handle cracking. I did branding on both rings as shown on the picture above.
Joining the new wooden handle and an old file.
Joining the new wooden handle and an old file.

Submerged them in Tung oil and left for a while. Finally, I pulled them out and enjoyed the product that I made with a 150 years old treadle powered lathe. Amazing!

Here I submerged the new wooden handles in Tung oil for some time. You can see bubbles coming out. That is always a good sign, because it means that the wood is soaking the oil nicely. 
Here I submerged the new wooden handles in Tung oil for some time. You can see bubbles coming out. That is always a good sign, because it means that the wood is soaking the oil nicely. 
Placing them to take final footage for my new video.
Placing them to take final footage for my new video.

Please subscribe if you want to see more of my upcoming traditional projects! And DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT EXTREMELY Rusty Axe Restoration With 18th Century Hatchet Modifications Video: https://youtu.be/CTJaKUL-kAc

They are ready to be used.
They are ready to be used.
It fits nicely with other files.
It fits nicely with other files.

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50 Comments

  1. Great video! Can you help me figure out how to get that scroll saw to work right? I have one but I cant get the belt tight enough, so the saw stops as soon as the blade touches the wood. I can’t hardly saw through anything!

  4. Nice work , did you purchase all of your old machines or have they been in your family for years?

  5. Really enjoyed your restorations, but had to laugh at the channels name maybe rename to Rewind restorations.

  7. I have great respect for work to remembering our ancestors who built beautiful things without electricity.🍺🍺

  8. great job, impressive for first time. thanks for making the video and sharing. wonderful the old man powered tools

  9. Как всегда руки золотые А инструменты старинные вообще бомба

  10. I like that you took the time to say what you were Doing rather than post it to be read.

  11. I like you tools oldiest but hoodies❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💋💋💋😍😍

  12. И керосиновая лампа на месте!!! Тепере все как в стародавние времена!

  13. Wow you are really trying to fit in with your tools this episode. Fun new clothes! I saw a foot powered lathe at a show once and thought it was cool, but then realized I am not in good enough of a shape to do that kind of work! lol

  14. here’s another example that old things don’t exist! Wonderful. This proves once again that you love your work!

  15. Я вот не понимаю, вот серьезно, зачем эта маструбация с ручным инструментом?

  21. That looks quite difficult to do. The ability to keep your hands steady yet the rest of you moving is really quite impressive ! Well done

  22. Please be careful, do not hit files with a hammer, they are very hard and can shatter easily and violently

  23. What a great addition to your already impressive set of hand powered tools. The handles look👌

  25. Большой привет тебе Норвежец из России,отличная работа,молодец👍

  26. GREAT… Even better than new… Those brass rings makes those files looks like belonging to the “Traditional craftsman hall of fame”

  27. I don’t really like the floating copyright sign on your video. It’s distracting and you’re branding a lot in this vid already. :/

  28. Very cool work as always! Love the lathe and huge respect to the coordination it must take to use the pedal and have a steady hand to work

  30. Приветище мой друг Борис 👋👋👋 выглядишь изумительно красиво, любо дорого смотреть на тебя 👌🏽💥 Четкая работа👍💣 я тебе в Инстаграм написал, готовлю для тебя посылку с подарками, напиши ещё раз свой адрес!

  32. Me gusta tu torno y hasta podrias adaptarle una transmisión de bicicleta y obtener mayor velocidad para el torneado

  33. neat, rare machine now, even less still in use, good to see, better than gathering dust in a museum, love to see old things used as they were intended to be, and done some good work, especially for a first try

  34. The treadle lathe does not throw shavings all over. Clean up will be easier. It’s a learning process. You are doing well.

  35. The new handles have a lovely shape. Very well done! May I ask what type of wood you are using?🤗🐝❤️

  38. Amazing love your work and you are brilliant idea what a great job with the project came out beautiful and the video

  39. Hello. I first learn’t how to turn wood on a lathe similar to this that my grandfather used. All the best.

  40. Super awesome job as always. Love that you was serious about the new uniform too but you have me a nervous wreck in those slippery shoes 😬 maybe need some that have grippers on bottom lol

  41. мастерская без электроинструмента! все как в старину! душой и потом!

  42. Борис, приветствую! Как всегда рад видеть!

  43. What a lathe…so many years and still works perfectly…greetings from Chile
    👍

  45. Классный станок.на нем металл можно обрабатывать?

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