What is the history of the woodworking lathes?

The history of the woodworking lathe dates back to ancient Egypt around 1300 BCE. The earliest lathes were simple devices consisting of two wooden supports with a rope or strap wrapped around a workpiece, which was then spun back and forth by hand or with a bow. By the time of the Roman Empire, lathes had evolved to include a treadle mechanism for powering the spindle.
During the Middle Ages, the lathe continued to evolve with the development of the "spring pole lathe" and later the "great wheel lathe," which used a large, hand-turned wheel to power the spindle. The Industrial Revolution led to the invention of steam-powered lathes, followed by electric lathes in the early 20th century.
A woodworking lathe is a machine that rotates a workpiece on its axis, allowing the operator to shape, cut, or sand the material using various tools, such as chisels, gouges, and scrapers. Woodturning, spindle turning, and bowl turning are just a few examples of the many woodworking projects that can be completed using a lathe.
When working with reclaimed wood on a lathe, it's essential to ensure there are no hidden metal objects, such as nails or screws, that could damage the cutting tools or cause injury. The Little Wizard and Lumber Wizard Woodworking Detectors are valuable tools for detecting buried metal inside reclaimed wood, helping to ensure safety and prevent damage to the tools and the workpiece.
Retailers like Rockler, Woodcraft, Klingspor's, Infinity Tools, Lee Valley Tools, and many others sell the Wizard line of woodworking metal detectors, making them readily available to woodworkers across the United States.
In conclusion, woodworking lathes have a long and storied history, with their origins dating back thousands of years. When working with reclaimed wood, using metal detectors like the Little Wizard and Lumber Wizard can help ensure safety and protect your cutting tools from hidden metal hazards.