The Forestry Forum
General Forestry => Sawmills and Milling => Topic started by: dad2nine on December 26, 2007, 08:16:04 PM
What's the biggest square you can make round with a lathe mizer. How fast does it turn, is it variable speed? Does it turn fast enough to fashion porch pillars with big lathe tools?
It'll take a 13" diamater. So I think that figures out to about a 11" square.
It has one speed - I think is about 400 rpms. I don't think it has the power or clamping design to use lathe tools.
Here is a link to info on the Wood-Mizer web site. They also have a video you can watch.
Wood-Mizer LatheMizer (http://www.woodmizer.com/us/sawmills/options/lathemizer.aspx)
They do now hava a tenon kit and an additional 4' extension so you can make posts up to 12' long.
A 13" log that is 12' long.
I do not think I would get close enough to that thing spinning at 400 rpms to touch it with a tool. I can say one thing, OUCH. :o
No, I don't think you'd want to spin a 13" dia log, 12' long at 400 rpms.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10034/wslathemizer200512.JPG)
The LatheMizer takes most of the "outside" off by indexing and sawing the log into an octagon.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10034/wslathemizer200506.JPG)
Once you have it in an octagon shape, then you turn on the motor that spins it and run the sawblade down it as it turns. It's stable enough to use sandpaper to get a smooth finish but I wouldn't want to jab a tool against it.
I have used lathe tools on mine. It works, but it would work better if it turned faster. I need to make a better tool rest also. ;) ;) ;) A 6 X 6 block of oak didn't work as well as I would have liked ::) ::)
I tried it on red pine and poplar. I didn't try any hardwoods, but as long as they are green it should do just fine.