How does a wood lathe work?

Roger Abrahamson is a mainstay at the Minnesota State Fair. He uses a wooden lathe made from tree branches to turn wood that he carves into bowls.

In past years Abrahamson has been inside the blacksmith's shop in Heritage Square. This year, for the first time, he has his own tent set up outdoors.

Abrahamson steps down on one fork-shaped tree-branch, which is connected by rope to the lathe and to a longer tree branch, which bends to provide the spring-action necessary to turn the lathe. Each step on the contraption turns the bowl three quick rotations.

Abrahamson uses a variety of hooks to carve out long spaghetti-like strands of wood from the inside or outside of each bowl. He then paints and sells his creations at fairs and craft shows all over the country. But in Minnesota, Abrahamson is not a craft vendor but an invited guest of the fair.

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