DIY Drill Powered Lathe 

Now here's a gentleman that realizes that not everyone is rich. Most videos showing how to make a home made tabletop lathe, involves the use of, "or access to" expensive machines and tools, that most people do not have. Plus this version involves the use of simple wood that is also not hard to find, and is easy to work with in the construction and fabrication of parts. Background music is nice and NOT overbearing and doesn't drown out the host. Thank you for this video sir.

one thing I might add is that the tool rest ideally should be exactly level with the spinning axis of the lathe. I think you'll find you will get even better results if you do that :)

as an apartment-dwelling woodworker, these builds are a great find. And Hazard Frought is having a sale right now lol

I really appreciate the honest and straightforward nature of this video. A couple things didn't work out quite like you expected, and none of that is hidden. Awesome work!

Get this! I told a customer of mine of this upload, AND he said, "I've got some mini lathe tools I've had for years" He went to his shed and GAVE them to me, u gouge, skew chisel and parting tool. I was really blown away. Glad I found your channel or the conversation never would have happened so, thanks again. ;-)

Not only is this a great video about doing a lathe (when I finish 15 other great projects I have seen lately - too many builds to do and too little time), I may try this build.

You made some really neat things integrated into this, it looks lik you don't need expensive metal tracks, just plain old wood and bolts to "get your groove on". Some groovy innovations in this video. Badumtish

I am in the process of building a banjo. As you probably know, it’s a round instrument. But I didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a professional lathe. This video was so helpful. I wish I could like it more than once !!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Very nice - I’m thinking about making a lathe too and this was a big help. I really like the speed control on the drill and how you minimized wobble in the bearings.

Love this; I’ve been searching around for inspiration for turning my drill into a small lathe. This is the best I’ve come across. Thanks

My sister just bought a house next door which belonged to a woodworker, so free lathe! But I learned like 15 new things from this video, thanks!

This was perfect for my son’s 8th grade science fair project. This table is surprisingly sturdy and I will be able to use it for many other projects. I love how easily it folds up and it is easy to store in the garage. Great purchase.

I see you've already been told about the tool rest. Line it up with the center of the bolts used for the head and tail stock. Or better yet make a slot and and extra piece so you can adjust it. The only other thing I would say is to use four bearings. One on both sides of the head and tailstock. It will eliminate play and make the whole assembly much stronger. Nice work!!!!

Nice seeing you work through problems. Love that you show and address mistakes.

Very cool project. I like that you show what didn’t work as well as what did. Great job.

Only thing I would suggest for anyone trying to build this project, I would label your peices as to not get them mixed up like I would, I’ve made many projects and used the wrong pieces and end up with a build that doesn’t work or looks terrible, lol thankfully this guy is smart enough to remember what goes where 😂😂😂

Tommy I can't thank you enough for this one. I shutter when thinking about the time and frustration i could've saved by asking about the uses of this tool. Your video was extremely eye-opening and it's not an overstatement to say it's just become an indispensable part of my woodworking. The same way we're unlikely to use a hand saw for anything that isn't absolutely necessary. Thanks again for ALL the great tips and ideas you bring to the woodworking community. by "community" i mean me of course 😉 Seriously, awesome work👍🏾

I like it! You engineered and built a very inexpensive and usable tool. Thanks for the clear and comprehensive video.

I admire your stamina to answer all comments, even the bad ones.

I've watched some other videos on how to make a lathe using a drill. As well as other jigs for other things. Yours looks like the best lathe jig. Good work.

Pretty cool little lathe, i liked the “speed control” setup that is a good idea Izzy has lot of them

Let me compliment you on the quality of your video production - lighting good, sound good, background music just right and voice over very smooth and well done. Overall - great job. You have come a long way since your first video 3 years ago. Look forward to seeing more from you (but keep that family life balanced - that is more important than letting video production become your master)

I love the speed control mechanism! Saves messing around with electrics.

Hey that’s a great idea! 35 dollars in material is a great plan. I used to do a lot of pottery. Thinking of switching to wood working. In meantime I can’t do much but invest look around till I have a whole day to give. This is a great idea.

Awesome build! And so many good refit tips in the comments. Great to see people design and troubleshoot a simple and useful homemade tool.

That's pretty cool! I would suggest moving from skate bearings to thrust bearings. They're designed to take lateral load so they will have a much greater stability and will improve the longevity of your head and tail stock assemblies.

This is cool to see your lateral thinking solutions - I especially liked tightening up the bearings by using epoxy.

There will always be critics... That was super cool to watch. Cool design, cool layout, learned some tricks watching. Thank you!

Well made, Tommy. Really dig it. Suggestion: Try a steel (or steel-edged) tool guide, and line the top edge of it up with the rotational axis of the drive bearings, or preferably 10 degrees lower (but no more than that). This will make the job come over-and-down onto the cutting edge of the hand tool. Much more efficient, and safer too. P.S. I would have put steel washers on the under side of the slide bolts. ( I know, I'm sorry... everyone's an expert.) It's a great piece, Man, you should be proud of it.

Excellent video! If I may make a recommendation though? You've had some great feedback regarding the positioning and modifications of your tool rest. As time goes by, you're going to find that the stress it takes from use is going to deform it until you find yourself making a new one. I would recommend getting a piece of thin flatbar, like 1/8", and bend it to form a cover plate and lip over the inside edge of the rest. This will keep the deformation from happening by adding strength and rigidity to it.

Excellent little mini-lathe. I was going to make a few improvement suggestions, but after reading the comments, I realized most of them had been addressed.

That was a nice move using the epoxy on the threads for a bushing. I'm gonna file that away for future projects! Great build, results great for a first timer!

Bloody piss cutta. Dam good "Power Drill Lathe". You took the time to make each part fit, making sure the "Wobble" was gone from the bearings. All up, Top Class Lathe. Will definitely get your plans for it and build my own Lathe from your plans. Cheers. Kev. P.S. I don't have a shed, but just a extension on the back of my car port, and enclosed that with a simple door on the outside, and then double doors leading from inside the carport to a normal size door, then to open it completely, I made a double sized door that doubles as a tool hanging space on the inside of this part. Don't have a bench saw, so will need to build my own, don't have a drill press so will have to make one of them, don't have a router table so will need to build one of them. DON'T have a lot of stuff, I have the tools but NOT the tables for each power tool, but, will get it in time. Thanks again for your time and effort.

Loved the video and since I have watched it half a dozen times over the last month, I figured that I might as well subscribe and buy the plans. I can’t wait to try it out. Very well done video and comprehensive plans. Thank you for making this available to create. Also, good job commenters on a couple good modifications to change or add.

Thanks for the video! I really like the easy and peace you have when explaining things. I've wanted to build a simple lathe myself for some time. The vids I saw previously were always a bit too complicated. Yours is way more clear and gives me inspiration to build me own. So thanks from a fan from Holland. Keep them coming please.

I bought a Coronet wood lathe for less than £20 ($10 approx) from a wood turning club. You only have to look around for one and it's so much safer and more reliable than attempting to make your own death trap.

Awesome build video and brilliant plan with plywood layers, including for T slots.

Sweet! This is my next project. I think I'll make shot glasses out of pallet wood like I saw in another video.

Thanks Tommy, I built my own lathe, then watched your video, nice finish, mines much rougher finish and I used the centre baring from an old bicycle wheel as the spinning end. Thanks again. 👊👍

I admire the craftsmanship and also the improvisation skills! Inspiring video, thanks!

I’ve just now stumbled on to your channel, and after seeing this video, I’m a subscriber!! I’ve been a machinist for about 20 years and this is the coolest diy I’ve seen! I love the variable speed control adjuster. And spindle replacement is a cheap as buying a new drill. I’ve always wanted to get into wood lathe work and for the cost of this project, I may try it out.

I love your speed control! I’m a Machinist so seeing this is pretty cool! Do a metal turning lathe next!!!

I just made 4- 8” pulley wheels in my garage this afternoon, I have a 4” vise bolted to a tree stump chunk 2’ tall. I put a short piece of 1/2” bulk iron pipe in vise, I ran an old piece of 1/2” all thread thru the 4 pieces of 2 x8, had one nut on each side of wood, they were precut as tires for my lawnmower “ different issue”. I tightened the nuts, stuck one end into pipe and the other end into my cordless drill. I than made a T from two pieces of 2x4 and screwed them to the stump as a rest for the wood chisels. Took me an hour and a half to gouge out, sand and clean mess, putting a 3/4” wide x 3/4” deep trench in all 4. Wish I could post pic, lol.

Thank you so much. I was going to make one myself except I was going to use a rope around a 1-1/2 inch dowel and then use foot power like a medieval prototype lol. I think I am gonna go with your idea, thank you.

7:23 Glad you found a way to cope with the problem!

New to your channel Tommy. Impressed with your ingenuity and creativity! Had to signup to follow you and your creations. Thanks for sharing

You are a genius. My wood working skills are put to shame. Thank you.

I will be making one of these. Great idea.

You're like a modern version of that Primitive Technique guy.

This was cool, makes me want to try it.

Dude! That turned out way better than I thought it was going to!!

Its nice to see another crackpot thinking outside the box. I found your video because I've had the same idea but couldn't figure out a proper mock up. Thank you sir for the upload and ideas, cheers

Thank You! I am going to try this out and please keep up the Great Videos!

Ingenious and excellent presentation... I really enjoyed the video thank you

Fascinating! I was searching a drill powered lathe like this one for a long time! Already bought the plans. Man, you really made my day! Big hug! Keep working!

great video man :) My dad tried to make a lathe with a drill years ago to make a stanley cup. it didnt work well. in the years since I was able to come across 3 different lathes and love my 1968 rockwell lathe

One thing I have to compliment you about is the fact that you don’t use the fanciest tools to get the job done.

Great job in every way! Thanks 4 sharing

I miss my dad's old lathe. I remember a few times the wood would come off and going flying (really old lathe). Luckily, no one got hurt. I'll have to try this project out in the fall.

Just excellent!!! Typical of RU-vidrs (best intentions I'm sure) to tell you what you haven't done perfectly (toolrest conversation) as against how superb your project is: bloody well done mate.

Love your lathe ! Someday I shall make one😊thank you.

Just a couple quick notes, first, not to sound like a broken record but, the tool rest is too high and could be a safety concern if you get the tool caught in the work. Second, instead of using the skate board bearings it would be a lot more sturdy if you used conical tapered wheel bearings. They provide a more rigid action that reduces the amount of vibration in the work and will last longer over time. To add to that, you can find them for fairly cheap on amazon at about 10 or 15 bucks a piece. Overall, this is a really cool project. Thanks for sharing it with us

Gonna give this a shot, thanks!

Nice diy project. $35 for material is cool but the kind of tools you used are not typical for a small time DIY person like me. Some good ideas for the lathe bench. Thanks for sharing

8:10 hose clamp attachment 8:40 speed control 9:00 headstock bearing assembly

Best diy wood lathe I’ve seen on RU-vid

Very cool! Makes me want to build something. Great video!!

Just bought your plan.Keeping my fingers crossed !!

Great project! A nice "middle of the road" lathe between Izzy and Matthias. Well done. Now we need to see you turn a soccer ball haha!

After watching this and couple other videos on making a lathe, I have come to the conclusion that I will just find someone who's selling and buy a used one.

Wow! Such dedication. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful job.

This is my first time seeing any of your videos or work and i have to say it's very impressive to say the least! I hope to be able to build like this one day!

Your tool rest should be the same height as the turning centre. You tool rest is far too high and may result in your chisel jamming and kick forward away from you. You also need to taper your tool rest so you can lower the chisel. Hope this helps.

They should put you in charge of our economy. Your problem-solving skills are off the chart.

Jus found this video. Hope all is well and I'm subscribing right now. Looking forward to seeing your other vids.

Late to the party, I hope you are well and thank you for the great video, plans purchased and looking forward to getting started, now I've just got to find my bearings ;) regards Mark.

I think the tool rest should be lower and level with your drive spindle this will give you better control of the chisels and a better finish. When I was at school I was part of a rocketry club and we needed to turn our nose cones on a lathe so I constructed a lathe using a B/Decker drill and two horizontal drill stands, one chuck and gear housing from an old drill. I used "G" clamps to hold the drill stands onto the top of rung of our back steps. Later my father screwed the two drill stand onto a knitting machine bed and I used the knitting machine carriage to hold my tool rest that is how I turned the nose cones.

Damn bro. Fantastic !

Thank you for posting this vlog . I can’t wait to try it out for myself .

Well done! I like the idea that’s it’s light and easily able to be moved or stored.

Well Done. Thanks for sharing. ;-)

Black&Decker used to sell a lathe to fit power drill many years ago. Nice work but agree with others tool rest to high.

Your a Master my friend!! Unreal I can't stop watching your videos I love projects like this, Great Job again!!

Using the epoxy as a bushing is a great idea. Thanks you!

You should totally enter this in the rocklerplywoodchallenge! Awesome project dude! Also I'm not a turner at all but I think the tool rest is supposed to be lower. That way your tool is lined up with the center of the piece.

impressive, this is defiantly something I would make if my dad would let me, its not a case of being too young, its a case of my dad being an ass about making things

Terrific job on this video. This lathe project is on my list. Thank you very much.

Great video man and all the best

Your toolrest is far to high. The top of the toolrest must sit in the middle of your work piece. The way it was now is dangerous.

Great job. Your an excellent speaker and don’t need the music. It’s low enough but really not necessary.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

fantastic. At the lowest cost, you can create a carpentry tool with your creativity, which is commendable. We are waiting for your next educational videos.

‘Only Cost me $35’ and one year of my life 😂😂

Holy shit someone else who’s into Otis

Absolutely cool! Great craftsmanship also!

Brilliant. I agree re the tools rest. The drill mounting has inspired me for a project I am thinking about.

Are the drawings or even just a list showing your measurements for the parts/pieces you've created?

Jigsaw Can be tilted in to the wood while the trigger is pressed. Use the foot as a pivot ...

Great! I am going to make it soon

Adjustable from forward, back, side to side and height for the toolrest might be perfect to adjust depending on how big or small you are working on.