Introduction to the Oliver lathe

Xerocraft has an Oliver 25 patternmakers lathe, made in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1941 and sold to the Air Corps in San Antonio. It somehow made its way to its current location, which was a furniture maker before we moved in. It is in splendid shape, still capable of the precision work it was designed to do. Even better now with the upgrades we have done here at Xerocraft. These include variable speed, indexing, a router accessory, and carbide tools held in a quick change tool post.

Patternmaking was an essential part of manufacturing. Still is, but now it's CAD/CAM of course. But a very accurate model needed to be made for every casting, and there was an entire profession built around the complicated art of patternmaking.

This class will introduce everyone to the lathe's various capabilities.

We will make a pedestal for a tripod table, such as found in a Shaker sewing table or Queen Anne table, with sliding dovetail joints for the legs, flutes for decoration, and a precise tenon for the top.

Eye and noise protection required. We have some if you forget.