Graphical Construction Glossary >> Tools. >> Hand Tools >> Treadle Metal Lathe

Treadle Metal Lathe

An example of an almost modern metal screw cutting lathe driven by a treadle, that is by foot power.

This machine is in the workshop on board HMS Warrior, the first steel hulled, steam powered battleship. Warrior was launched in 1860, a time when the industrial revolution was well and truly in full swing, but the designers of Warrior had a "belt and braces" policy.

The ship was powered by a large two cylinder steam engine, and at the same time it was a square rigged three masted sailing ship.

Following the same policy, this machine that harks back to an earlier age, was made to have a foot operated drive or treadle. It could easily have been driven by steam, but in the case of damage to the system then a steam driven lathe would have been useless.

See the next page to see how the crankshaft was connected to a foot plate.

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Adam Smith 1723-1790

"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900