Turning wood is a fun hobby and physical issues need not prevent us from making shavings. If you have difficulty standing or using a lathe long enough to turn, consider the use of the sit down lathe.
At the OVWG Learning Center, the Oneway Sit Down Lathe has been re-engaged and moved to the front of the room. Members can now utilize the ability to sit while turning.
- The lathe can be lowered to achieve a comfortable turning height with the center line at or close to elbow height.
- The lathe can be tilted 90 degrees and use a banjo extension to place the toolrest in a conventional position in relation to the work.
When you use a seat or wheelchair, there are a number of techniques that can compensate for any inability to move sideways which you would typically do when standing.
- Picking up a cut: If you can’t reach comfortably and safely to make a cut, you can make two cuts and reposition yourself in between. Picking up a cut is a useful skill.
- Carbide tools: The geometry of carbide tool may achieve a more comfortable working position while making some cuts and require less handle swing movements.
- Forster Bit: consider drilling with a forstner bit to remove the center of a blank as it can be easier than taking it out with a gouge.
- Adjustable Handles: Using shorter modular handles can enable you to pass tools in front of your body when necessary.
- Extended Toolrest: An extended toolrest can be used to move the contact with the tool closer to the work inside a bowl for greater support and control. Toolrests that partially extend into the turning, possibly with a pin or yoke to control movement, can facilitate tool control.
- Tool bevel: two tools with different bevel grinds can be used to adjust the cut.
- Tailstock Support: The tailstock can be positioned appropriately to give additional tool control support to the elbow or forearm.
- Wheel support: Brakes, chocks, or a batten on the floor can restrict the movement of a wheelchair or chair with casters if you find yourself moving backwards while pushing a gouge forward. A couple of fingers around the stem of the toolrest can be used to anchor yourself to the lathe.
AAW Members can view the Turning with Physical Limitations resource program here: https://www.woodturner.org/Woodturner/Physical-Limitations/Physical-Limitations-Main.aspx
Resources include articles and videos on turning with physical limitations.
Oneway 1236SD Sit Down Lathe
This unique design from Oneway allows a turner to work while sitting down at a stool or chair, and is perfect for anyone who cannot stand comfortably at the lathe while turning. The lathe also converts easily to allow turning while standing up.
The Oneway, model 1236SD, works as a conventional stand-up lathe, but uniquely, it also can be rotated 90° and used while sitting. Tilting the lathe to 90 degrees requires a banjo extension to place the toolrest in a conventional position in relation to the work.
A jackscrew lets you raise or lower the lathe to a comfortable height just by cranking a wrench.
To shift from stand-up to sit-down mode:
- Loosen two knobs at each end of the lathe and rotate the lathe 90 degrees.
- Change out the tool-rest bases to the base with the banjo extension.
Lathe Specs:
- Taper Size: No. 2 Morse Taper
- Maximum Swing: 12 In.
- Distance Between Centers: 36 in.
- 1” - 8 tpi RH spindle thread