In a couple of weeks the 2026 Bodger’s Ball will be held at the Avoncroft Museum just South of Bromsgrove. I’ll be bringing along a portable pole lathe I have designed mostly from easily accessible 2×4 wood which can be set up for cups, bowls or spindle turning, and has…
A question I often get asked at market by customers, and when speaking to other woodturners (who predominantly use power lathes) is ‘Why do I use a pole lathe?’. This article seeks to answer that question, acknowledging that it has changed over time and perhaps is still changing. In doing…
On Monday 22nd September I visited the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading once more in order to try and find answers regarding the design of the pole lathe and its paraphernalia. This blog post is very much aimed at other pole lathe turners, but non turners may find…
This article describes the process of turning a wooden bowl on a pole lathe. It is beautifully illustrated by photos from Neil White who visited me recently. This article is written for my potential customers who want to know a little more about the process behind how my bowls are…
The pole lathe is ancient device which can be used to turn all manner of items. It works by having a length of cord wrapped around the work attached to a foot-pedal beneath it and a source of springiness above it (traditionally a long thin tree sapling (pole), but these…
