How to Turn Your Drill Press Into a Vertical Woodworking Lathe

May 06, 2023

When you're tight on space, but need to turn some wood, consider using your drill press as a lathe.

Woodturning is a great hobby, but lathes take up a significant amount of space in a workshop. But when you're in a pinch and want to turn something quickly, you can set up a vertical lathe using your drill press.

YouTube woodworker Nick Ferry, used a set of nuts and bolts as his dead center, spur center, and tool guide. With these pieces in place, he trimmed a bit off his wood stock and positioned it in the drill press. This hack works surprisingly well, but the vertical movement doesn't position your hands in the ideal position for turning.

Instead of investing in an expensive lathe for one job, this technique could save you in a pinch. You can hold onto the nuts and bolts and use them the next time you need to turn. Using power tools for tasks they are not designed for can be asking for trouble, so attempt these modifications at your own risk.

Source: Nick Ferry

Timothy is a lifelong DIY enthusiast who is fixated on smart home tech, beautiful tools, and wrenching on his FJ62 Land Cruiser. He's the DIY editor at Popular Mechanics and also the founder of the home improvement site, Charles & Hudson, the Webby-nominated family site, Built by Kids, and Tool Crave. When not working, you’ll find him on his board or bike enjoying the LA weather with his family and friends. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

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