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I want to turn 8′ columns (10″ base). Are there affordable lathes for this or do I need to build one? What hp would be needed to turn something this size? I don’t suppose such a column should be built in sections then stacked. These will go on my porch to hold the roof or possibly a balcony. Thanks for any input.
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Enco lists an 80" lathe for $12,000 to $14,000. Are you planning on making these columns out of metal?
Probably not. Such large sizes - 8' X 10" dia. - would probably require industrial strength lathes. Maybe start paying off after a thousand columns.
What I would do is rig up something using a couple of centers and turned by hand. But create some kind of jig to guide say a router along the length of your column. Make a pass. Rotate a couple of degrees. Make another pass. Etc. Might was to devise some sort of locking mechanism to hold it in position during each pass.
I've used a radial arm saw to make a turning 18" dia. X 8" high.
Is your raw stock solid or hollow (built up)?
*The columns would be built-up. It will probably be cheaper to buy them.
*Dear Howard,Assuming you own a car with a limited slip differential... here's what you do. Jack only one wheel off the ground, remove the wheel and afix one end of the column to be. Attach the other end to some sort of free spinning support... I think you get the idea. Start her up, set the RPM, work out a tool rest, and away you go!It could work, really, it could.DISCLAIMER: Just a joke, don't try this a home! Jerry
*Dear Howard,Assuming you own a car with a limited slip differential... her's what you do. Jack only one wheel off the ground, remove the wheel and afix one end of the column to be. Attach the other end to some sort of free spinning support... I think you get the idea. Start her up, set the RPM, work out a tool rest, and away you go!I could work, really, it could.DISCLAIMER: Just a joke, don't try this a home! Jerry
*Jerry,Well, it almost worked. Like tires, columns have to be balanced. When the column hit eighty the vibration was too severe. Over the house, through the windows on a car, into my neighbors swimming pool. Fortunately both windows were down on the car. No real damage. The kids are sitting on it like turtles on a log. Any other ideas?Thanks, Howard
*You could look around for a used metalworking lathe; even after they won't hold the tolerance a machinist needs, they're better than a wood lathe. there were two used Southbends with 8' beds in the paper here going for $800 each, but i don't have the floorspace right now. Other than that, you could look for used machines at http://www.exfactory.com. I'd be looking to buy them, or go into the column business full time.
*Conover makes a lathe that is intended to do architectural turnings. It's very heavy duty, and works well for other things, like bowls and spindle turning. Go here: http://www.conover-lathe.com/You might be able to pick up a used one somewhere. Good luck to you.
*I just bought 96 inch columns; 10" base tapered to 8" tops at Lowes for $88.00 each. The fiberglass caps and crowns were $30. Instead of purchasing,I turned these on my lathe from PT stock. I would have loved to be able to say that I turned the columns for our pergola on my lathe, but quite frankly I couldn't justify material purchase and stock prep time when $88@ drives them home.
*Howard,Somwhere I have a book showing a lathe a guy used to turn totem poles/ columns. It was a homemade unit using 1/2 of an old truck rear axle mounted on a stand. The motor drove the pinion shaft(where the driveshaft attaches) and the faceplate/drive was on one of the axle flanges. Gear reduction would be anywhere from 2.5:1 to possibly 5:1 depending on the axle. the headstock unit was attached by a couple timbers I believe to an "A" frame tailstock assy. which could be an infinite distance away. His toolrest was fabbed up out of pipe and an old wheel rim I believe. A crude,cheap,but effective method but not super precise. (you're not gonna build pianos are you?) I think I still have the book. If you're interested I could send photos.Brad
*Thanks Brad,but my wife said she was going to buy them while I was wasting time figuring it out.
*I work in a machinery fabricating and industrial contracting co. We have a metalworking lathe the swings 48" diameter x 21 feet long, I want to try making columns from logs, any suggestions? I am new to this type of woodworking.
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I want to turn 8' columns (10" base). Are there affordable lathes for this or do I need to build one? What hp would be needed to turn something this size? I don't suppose such a column should be built in sections then stacked. These will go on my porch to hold the roof or possibly a balcony. Thanks for any input.