weithman5 Posted June 7, 2014 Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 we have an old south bend metal lathe in my mom's barn. i haven't used it since i made a cannon in high school (35 years ago) it has a manual gear box and not the quick change version. my question. can it be used for wood turning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted June 7, 2014 Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 It should be 'possible', but won't be optimal. The spindle speeds, work holding, and tool rest / holding mechanisms are all different between wood and metal lathes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted June 7, 2014 Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 Sure, pool cues are wood and made on this same lathe. As mentioned, you may have to come up with a different way to hold the work, but I'd go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted June 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2014 thanks. i suspect by the time i engineer the thing for wood function it would be easier to just get a dedicated wood lathe. i just king of thought the challenge would be cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calblacksmith Posted June 17, 2014 Report Share Posted June 17, 2014 It is worth more as a metal lathe both to you and in the open market. You are kind of asking, can I use my farm tractor to transport my product across country, like a Semi tractor trailer can after all, both can pull a huge load. They are different machines. Yes I know that you have chosen to look for a wood lathe, that is the wisest choice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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