My First Welding Lathe Made From a Old Bicycle!

Back around 1998, I got a request to quote a job that involved welding 200 or so small round stainless steel parts. I didnt have a welding lathe or even a turntable at the time...but I quoted the job anyway and got it.

The story was... was supposed to get 100 parts every month for several years. (seems like thats always the story to get you to quote lower) but I had heard that song and dance before so instead of stepping out and spending money on a welding turntable, I built my own DIY welding lathe turntable for these parts for the first order of 200 parts.

I used an old bicycle, some drill chucks, and a cheap Kmart variable speed drill motor.