On Jun 26, 2:19 pm, NoName wrote:
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.

My wife has an old treadle in working condition.It was her great
grandmothers. I had the same thought as you, would make a lathe from
it. Wife had other thoughts, said she would do a Lorretta Bobbit on me
if I touched her treadle.
Made a treadle lathe from a couple of books, Roy Underhill has an
article in one book that shows you how. I used that lathe for several
years, finally removed the flywheel and treadle and added a motor.
Getting to old now to pump the treadle.
In any case I believe you could easily make a small pen lathe,
You would need a spindle with a morse taper and threads,so the old
method of using round stock for the spindle won't work for pens.I have
not turned pens , but I imagine the least you need is a morse taper
spindle.
You can get parts from Grizzly or many lathe manufacturers, ask for
replacement parts.Might be cheaper to buy an inexpensive lathe and
power it with the treadle.

mike