A pole lathe, also known as a springpole lathe, is a wood-turning lathe that uses the resilience of a long pole as a return spring for a foot treadle. Pressing the treadle pulls a cord wrapped around the piece of wood being turned, the other end of the cord reaching up to a long springy pole; because the action is reciprocating, the work rotates one way on the down stroke, when cutting actually happens, and is pulled back the other way by the pole's own spring, ready for the next stroke. A bungee cord is sometimes used today as a compact modern substitute for the springpole itself.
Facts
Introduced When (Circa)Precise origin unknown; the earliest confirmed use is Viking-era, attested by archaeological finds at Jorvik, the Viking settlement under modern York. 1 OriginContinuous use in England ended after the Second World War; the pole lathe has since been revived through the green woodworking movement, mostly among hobbyists rather than professional turners. 1 Sources
1. Pole Lathe (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationOrigin sentence
The pole lathe's origin is lost in antiquity; it is known that Vikings used them from the archaeological finds at Jórvík, the Viking settlement discovered beneath the modern city of York in England.
Decline and revival sentence
While the use of pole lathes died out in England after World War II, it has seen a return through the increased interest in green woodwork, although the majority of practitioners are at the hobby rather than professional level.
View the Source Frequently Asked Questions
Is the pole lathe still used today?
Yes, mainly by hobbyists through the green woodworking movement, after continuous use ended following the Second World War.
Continuous everyday use of the pole lathe in England ended after the Second World War. It has since been revived through the green woodworking movement, and today it is used mostly by hobbyists rather than professional turners.
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