We were all treated to a demonstration of the HCH spring pole lathe turning horn at the 2013 annual meeting at the AHEH in Carlisle, PA this past February. The mandrel was the last critical piece made. It is comprised of lathe turned maple, a short piece of octagonal gun barrel and a bronze bushing. The turning fixtures are mounted to the mandrel.

Here you see Dick Toone, the lathe builder, tuning the spout end of a spinning horn. This is accomplished by using one of the purpose-built fixtures. This fixture consists of a wooden cone fitted with a tap to which the spout end of the horn is threaded. This allows the horn to spin directly with the back and forth motion of the drive. As with all spring pole lathes, the operator must move the tool in and out in synch with the alternate spinning of the work. This is a very tricky business!

Dick is experimenting with soaking the horn is warm water just before turning. Early testing has shown that the soaking does make the horn turn a little easier.

We will publish new updates to the Spring Pole Lathe Project as the project matures!

To read other posts about the HCH Spring Pole Lathe Project, click here. Then scroll down. You will see newest posts first, followed by older postings.