It is one thing to buy a plan from a trusted source for a gizmo that has been proven to work. It is a whole new ball game to take an idea for a machine and use period building techniques and years of experience to draw-out your own plan. This is what Dick Toone does and then he builds it.
I have asked Mr. Toone to keep us abreast on the Spring Pole Lathe Project. Mr. Toone believes it will be ready to use at Ft. Roberdeau.
Here is a little teaser on some on the building in process in Mr. Toone’s own words.
Thanks Dick for keeping us informed.
Best regards,
Rick Sheets
HCH Webmaster

The approximate 3 X 3 post is being relieved 1/2″ to receive one of the two lathe bed rails after the 14 degree dove tail is cut in to match the already cut dovetail on the rail end. This joining will be glued and pegged for permanent fastening. Here is a plank cross-section of 3″ rough-sawn white oak used to make upright posts. White oak is much more dense and heavy than red oak and was selected for equipment framing like a lathe or printing press, and used extensively in ship building and horse drawn equipment. The posts are now all machined and have mortise holes cut to receive cross beams and rails.  The post shown laying over is connected by a “rule joint” that when upright will have a horizontal light weight beam that transfers up and down foot motion from a treadle via rope to the drive mandrel of the lathe, then to one of the light weight beam ends, the other end of which connects to the spring poles at the base of the frame by another piece of rope.  Sounds complicated, but the picture shows the simplicity.  The “rule” joint is an all wooden hinge design with an iron pivot pin.

I will send more photos next week.
Dick