The World's oldest turning shed?

**Phily** · 18th June 2017, 05:20 PM

Travelling through Spain we stayed a few nights in Toledo. Early one morning while wandering the streets I spied through a partly open door a very old lathe. Not being able to resist the temptation, I popped my head inside and was immediately welcomed in by Luis, a multi generational turner now in his early 60's.
conversing in his non existent English and my equally non existent Spanish, with the occasional aid of a pencil and a block of wood, I understood that the family business was set up in the old cellar in 1910. He still has the original heavy beamed timber lathe bed, now converted to a work bench. I suspect that his more modern steel bed was purchased not too long after the business was set up. Amazing!
when he discovered that I also turned, his enthusiasm increased even further. A wonderfull fellow. He showed me his rack of tools including his favourite skew chisel, used by his grandfather and now ground back to a 50mm stub. It seems his specialisation is spherical turning. His spheres are absolutely perfect. A great opportunity for lessons from a master if you have an understanding of Spanish.
He then took me into the back part of his "shed", a brick arched cellar built around the 13th or 14th century and now used to store timber etc. As we walked through, he pointed to the floor, the pavers were laid by the Romans!
After a bit of research I found out that the Romans first came to this region around 200yrs BC. The location of Luis' shed being close to where the original stone city wall (all but gone) was built. The Romans left around 400 AD. So at a guess, that would put the date of the shed floor at around the date of the birth of JC himself.
Has anyone come across an even older turning shed?
Unfortunately non of Luis's offspring are interested in continuing the family tradition and he is planning retirement in 3 years.

**hughie** · 18th June 2017, 06:28 PM

Great stuff Phil any pics?

**Kidbee** · 18th June 2017, 07:36 PM

Did you question him why he uses the chisels handles he uses????

**Phily** · 18th June 2017, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by hughie

Great stuff Phil any pics?

Just posted as an edit. Check out the old swords on the back wall, I didn't notice them till posting the photo's

**Phily** · 18th June 2017, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Kidbee

Did you question him why he uses the chisels handles he uses????

LoL, yes I did!! He must have the greatest variety of handle shapes ever. He doesn't even seem overly concerned on tang fittment either - check out the chisel I'm using while obtaining (posed) instruction.

**hughie** · 19th June 2017, 05:19 AM

Its these little finds and diversions that really add to a trip. Good find Phil

**mja** · 19th June 2017, 11:35 PM

What a great story. My first post on this site, inspired by some wonderful text and photos. thanks Phily

**bueller** · 19th June 2017, 11:58 PM

Thank you so much for sharing, awesome to see. The width between centres on that lathe must be enormous!

**Robson Valley** · 20th June 2017, 02:47 AM

In that day and time, the lathe looks completely adequate to turn the posts for canopy beds.

Thanks.
A whole lot more interesting to read than the morning news, most of these days.

**Phily** · 20th June 2017, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by mja

What a great story. My first post on this site, inspired by some wonderful text and photos. thanks Phily

Welcome to the forum! Its a great place to yarn and ask questions - always heaps of folk keen to chip in. Cheers Phil

**Phily** · 20th June 2017, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by bueller

Thank you so much for sharing, awesome to see. The width between centres on that lathe must be enormous!

IMG_6058.jpg

RV, certainly is a huge bed. No idea how they got it up the narrow streets. Sorry about the quality of the photo, but check out the size (or lack there of) of the motor. How it managed to spin heavy timbers I can't imagine!IMG_6057.jpg FullSizeRender.jpg

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**Robson Valley** · 20th June 2017, 07:24 AM

Phily: the glass block ceiling: it that at pavement level, above in the street? I've seen lots of that stuff but it's purple, of all colors.
I'd like to visit that shop as well.

**Phily** · 20th June 2017, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Phily: the glass block ceiling: it that at pavement level, above in the street? I've seen lots of that stuff but it's purple, of all colors.
I'd like to visit that shop as well.

The workshop is at ground level then you step down a few steps into the cellar. The whole town is built one layer on top of another. Luis banged his feet on the floor of the workshop to highlight that there was another cellar (or something) underneath. Many owners refuse to explore in case word gets out of another Archeological discovery!
Luis Vega
Tornero y Artesano de la madera
Tfno 925256217
C/ de la Merced
45002 Toledo
Espana

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**Christos** · 20th June 2017, 08:53 AM

What a fantastic story.

**plt43** · 22nd June 2017, 08:49 AM

Brilliant - thanks for sharing!

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