Javid's Woodturning

You may ask why do woodturning at this stage in your life...?

I remember long ago when I was only seven or eight years old, back in Iran where I grew up, sometimes gipsies would come around selling wooden objects they had made. They would even accept food or old clothing in return. One of such objects of interest to me was whirligig toy - often coloured in nice patterns. I also came across a primitive lathe system they would use to turn wood.

Several time during my working life I decided to make a lathe myself but never opportunity presented itself. In late 2012, I came across a video on YouTube where the exact same primitive lathe was being used, and found it fascinating.

Talking to a friend about it, he told me he had a lathe he very rarely used and I could borrow it. That was how my childhood interest was revived! Having turned a few samples on his lathe, I had to get my own and all the tools too. I converted the garage to a wood turning workshop, and wood of varying types keep turning up. Looking at a fallen tree just brings to me the image of the object hidden inside it...!

Foot operated lathe, courtesy of Oakham museum.
A strap would go round the big wheel at the base and each of the three wheels on top,
providing three different speed options.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse