In 1960 I saw a sweat shop full of foot powered lathes in Hong Kong. They
consisted of two pedals which were pumped and a cord wound around a bamboo
drum between bearings. this resulted in a forward and backward rotation.
They had a screw chuck on the headstock end to which they mounted ivory
blocks. They were turning ivory balls, the type with several balls within a
ball. I bought a chess set that had each piece mounted on one of these
balls.

They used a small scraper which cut on both the forward and back rotation.
They could cut a ball out faster than I ever will be able to do with a
Oneway.

Paul Gilbert

NoName" wrote in message
oups.com...
Has anyone ever tried converting a treadle sewing machine base into a
lathe? if so, was it successful and do you have plans drawn up I could
look at?

I used to collect antique treadle sewing machines and have several
bases I thought might make interesting mini lathes for pens or other
small items.