Quote Originally Posted by Mark Norman View Post
Thanks for the input!
I'm still thinking of using pillow block bearings for the spindle. I'm not sure I like the idea of having the pulleys between the bearings. Having the pulleys outboard will make not only the fabrication much easier but changing the belt on the pulleys would be simple. I could also put a much bigger pulley on for real slow turning of big out of balance pieces.

I was looking around the net and found a BIG home made bowl lathe. :
http://www.proserpinewoodturners.com/The_Big_Bowl.html

Now thats impressive!!!
Wow thats big!

I remember reading an article years ago about making a lathe from a front wheel drive axel for turning bowls
(I wish I could find that article)