I don't see much change other than the color of the paint and an increase in
their price in the next 10 years.

The only real changes in the wood lathe in the past 2408 years have been the
addition of ball bearings and the electric motor. Other than that, they still
spin a piece of wood between two support pedestals so we can hold some type of
tool against it with the intent of changing its shape . With this slow rate of
evolution, why should we expect any major changes in the next 10 years?

I would be happy with some simple improvements, like someone making a lathe
with something better than ball bearings. One would think that they could at
least use a spherical roller bearing or Timken taper bearings so that they
could be preloaded and adjusted for "Zero" end play. It seem rediculous to me
that anyone making a lathe that sells for $5000 will worry about an additional
$200.

Most of us would be happy if a lathe could be made with tool rests, motor
shafts, and drive belts that didn't break; lathe beds that didn't twist as they
aged; head and tailstocks that were lined up when we got them and that stayed
that way; and locking mechanisms that worked without our having to use a
hammer.

Now, if someone wanted to be innovative they could improve the tool rest. My
ideal tool rest would be adjustable in length from "Zero" to the full distance
between centers (no more changing rests or using more than one banjo),
adjustable to any inside or outside shape (always turning with minimum tool
overhang), be infinitely rigid, and have the ability to do all of this
automatically. I don't think that I am asking for much.

While I am dreaming, I would like to see someone develop a tool steel that had
the wear resistance of a 2060 steel AND the ability to be sharpened to as keen
an edge as a High Carbon Steel. So far, those two elements have not been
mutually inclusive.









Russ Fairfield
Post Falls, Idaho
http://www.woodturnerruss.com/