Ornamental Turning
The online resource for "OT" enthusiasts
Related topics
- Turners of the Past
- Where can I learn woodturning?
- Videos on ornamental turning
- Articles on ornamental turning
- Books on ornamental turning
Build your own rose engine lathe
In the Spring 2007 issue of American Woodturner magazine, Jon Magill introduces a kit to build a homemade rose engine lathe. Related information from AAW website:
- Introduction and Overview (pdf)
- Rose Engine Construction Instructions (pdf)
- Rose Engine Detailed Drawings (pdf)
Machine Restoration
If you locate an older ornamental lathe, it's likely you'll need to do some restoration. An article originally written for the Society of Ornamental Turner's Bulletin on how to do just that is available here:
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Ornamental Turning Craft
How long has this been going on?
How are ornamental turnings made?
Where can I get an ornamental turning machine?
A common place to locate an antique machine is through an auction house or dealer that specializes in antique tools. EBay is an increasingly popular place for advertising ornamental turning lathes, tools and related equipment. Here are a few others:
- Gold International Machinery | Gold's eBay items for sale
- Sobel Machinery | Sobel's eBay items for sale | Sobel's Ebay Store
- Christies Auctions
- Bonhams 1793: Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
- Browns Auction Services
- David Stanley Auctions
- Tony Murland Tool Auctions
- Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools
- Trinders' Fine Tools
- American Artifacts Items for Sale
- Meeker's Antiques
- J.B Hawkins Antiques
- eBay (eg, search for "ornamental turning")
The following forums have "For sale / Wanted" areas for ornamental turning machines, related parts and tools:
- Ornamental Turners International Forum - Items for Sale or Wanted
- Ornamental Turning Center – Want Ads
- American Association of Woodturners Forum – Want Ads
- Lathes.co.uk – For Sale / Wanted
- Edwards' Ornamental Turning For Sale & Wanted
A few modern ornamental turning lathes have been produced, including makes such as Lawler, Cler, Armbruster, Lindow-White, and others. Here are some related sites:
- Lawler Ornamental Turning Lathe
- Lindow-White Rose Engine | Lindow-White Rose Engine Forum
- MDF Rose Engine by Jon Magill | MDF Rose Engine Forum
- Teknatool Nova Ornamental Turner
Modern ornamental turning parts and attachments are available from these manufacturers' websites (or in the case of discontinued products search eBay):
- The WivaMac Ornamental Turning System from The Tool Post
- Woodshed Mark VII Ornamental Turning Device
- Vicmarc Oval Turning Device (VOD300)
- Steinert Oval Turning Lathe (picOval)
- Decorative Turning System by John Rea
- Modern tools for economical ornamental turning
- Legacy Ornamental Mill
- Bealle Lathe Wizard
- Bealle Guilloche Attachment
- Magnate OT router bits
- Trend Router Lathe (discontinued 2004)
- Sorby RS3000 Ornamental Turning Device (discontinued 1998)
- Woodcraft MillLathe (discontinued)
- Craftsman Router Crafter (discontinued)
It is also possible to modify a metal or woodworking lathe to accomplish some of the same results. Here are some websites that present the DIY approach, along with a few resources to help you get started:
- A Woodturner's Rose Engine by Geoff O'Loughlin
- Wooden Rose Engine by John Lee
- Jack Chick Rose Engine
- Fred Connell Jet Lathe Rose Engine Adaption
- Steve “Spike” Finch Oneway Lathe Rose Engine Adaption
- Bollinger Ovalturning Lathe
- Iron Fire - Index Wheels
- Bill Smith - Segment Templates
Machine restoration is too commonly needed with antique lathes and equipment. Here are a few sites that cover related details: