A New Lathe for Shrewd Woodworks

Shrewd Woodworks is a small veteran- owned woodshop dedicated to combining a focus of form, function and ethics into the creation of beautiful, useful and ecologically responsible furniture and household wares.

I have designed and, with help of my woodworking apprentice, Matt, have begun production of knockdown, transportable wooden stools (the Parker Stool, with the leather carry strap), benches and tables from ethically sourced hardwoods that are sure to withstand the tests of time and promise beautiful usefulness for generations to come.

That is, once we replace our borrowed gouges and "learner lathe", and old belt-powered Erickson multilathe from the 60's that requires frequent breaks to cool down and repack the grease points, as it doesn't even have bearings! Poor thing runs solely on grease and luck, and it's luck is nearly spent.

With a new lathe our productivity could double, our product be further refined, and the headaches from inhaling smoldering grease all day might stop before we develop tumors!

I'm being glib, but the truth is that without a new lathe, hopefully one we won't have to constantly repair or replace again, our most promising design will halt in production while we are still struggling just to make ends meet.

And seeing how we both live in off grid yurts in the woods, and are struggling, that should let you know how little we are bringing in.

(insert this-is-fine fire meme)

This fundraiser is for the purpose of purchasing a lathe that can meet all stool-table leg turning needs and the various accessories and gouges required.

- Powermatic 3520C lathe
- 18" bed extension
- Nova G3 chuck