The lathe is the only 'machine' on an Amish farm. Powered by foot pedal (like a sewing machine), no electricity.
How It Works
Workpiece held between centers. Pedal through crank turns flywheel, flywheel spins workpiece. Speed: 300-1500 rpm. Turner holds chisel on tool rest and removes shavings. Control — eye and hands.
Tools
Turning tools: roughing gouge, skew chisel, parting tool, bowl gouge. Sharpening on stone, by hand.
Products
Chair and table legs (most common order). Bowls from solid wood. Tool handles. Candleholders. Chess pieces. Rolling pins. Staircase balusters. Children's spinning tops.
Mastery
A good turner feels the wood through the chisel: knots, grain direction, moisture. A bad turner gets a 'catch' — chisel digs in, workpiece torn out or broken. Dangerous and frustrating (hours of work = garbage).