Restoring Antique Wood Lathes
A wood lathe is used to shape wood. The first antique wood lathes were run by two people--one turned the wood held between two pins and string, while the other carved the wood. Eventually, wheels were added to wood lathes to turn the wood, and foot pedals and electricity followed. Many restore older wood lathes in appreciation of their craftsmanship.
Things You'll Need
- Sandblaster Sand paper, 400 grit Iron oxide primer Paint brush and rag Gray paint
Instructions
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Determine what parts need to be replaced. For example, do the wood lathe bearings make noise when turning, or do they turn at all? If they do make noise, they may need replacing. Put a coat of oil on the new bearings. Check the hold-down bolt on the tool rest to make sure the threads aren't stripped. If they are, replace them.
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2
Look over the headstock. The drive spindle is mounted here. Put a finish on the headstock by first disassembling it. It has a cast-iron body with an aluminum pulley, two bearings with two clips, a drive spindle and two jam nuts. Sand the iron body. Wipe off the dust and use a brush to apply iron-oxide primer. You can also spray the primer on the iron body. Wait for the primer to dry before painting. You can put on a coat of gray paint
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3
Sand the drive spindle. This is what will turn the wood. Use 400-grit sandpaper and steel wool. To avoid scratching the spindle, do not rub too hard.
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Use the same type of sandpaper to sand the pulley. Most antiques include a four-speed pulley made of aluminum. Sanding it will make it shine and eliminate most kinds of rust.
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Check the tail stock, which is at the opposite end of the head stock, for any rust. Rust will need to removed and the parts of the lathe sand-blasted. Prime the parts that were sanded, wait for them to dry and then re-attach. Take the antique wood lathe for a test run and see if you hear any squeaks. By removing rust and replacing nuts and bolts, the wood lathe should run smoothly.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove as much of the rust as possible.
