Tag: wood art

The 1993 Wood Turning Conference in Pennsylvania, USA, featured a demonstration of the bodgers pole lathe. This demonstration was depicted in a German magazine and marked the beginning of the Wood Turning Conference.

The bodgers pole lathe is a type of wood lathe that was commonly used by bodgers in England during the 19th century. Bodgers were itinerant woodworkers who would travel around the countryside turning wooden items on their lathes. The pole lathe was an essential tool for bodgers, as it allowed them to turn items quickly and with minimal tools.

In the demonstration at the Wood Turning Conference, a bodger demonstrated how the pole lathe worked. The lathe consists of two main parts: the bed and the headstock. The bed is a long piece of wood that sits on the ground, and the headstock is a smaller piece of wood that sits on top of the bed. A long piece of cord is then tied to the headstock, and a foot pedal is used to spin the headstock.

The bodger would then use various chisels and gouges to shape the wood as it spun on the lathe. The pole lathe is designed to allow the wood to spin continuously, even when the bodger is not touching it, so it was a very efficient tool. The bodger would simply use his or her tools to shape the wood as it spun on the lathe, producing a variety of wooden items such as bowls, cups, and other household items.

The demonstration of the bodgers pole lathe was well-received at the Wood Turning Conference, and it helped to generate interest in traditional wood turning techniques. Since then, the conference has grown into a major event that attracts woodworkers from around the world.

One of the reasons why the bodgers pole lathe is so popular with woodworkers is that it is a very simple tool. Unlike modern power tools, which can be complex and difficult to use, the pole lathe is very straightforward. It requires only a small number of tools, and it is very easy to set up and use.

Another reason why the pole lathe is so popular is that it is environmentally friendly. Because it is powered by a foot pedal, it does not require electricity, which means that it does not contribute to global warming or other environmental problems. Additionally, because it is a hand tool, it does not produce noise or other types of pollution that can be harmful to humans or the environment.

Overall, the demonstration of the bodgers pole lathe at the 1993 Wood Turning Conference was a landmark event. It helped to generate interest in traditional wood turning techniques and inspired many woodworkers to try their hand at using this simple and environmentally friendly tool. Today, the bodgers pole lathe remains a popular tool among woodworkers around the world, and it continues to be used to create beautiful and functional wooden items.

Posted by Stuart Kings on 2007-12-19 16:14:55