Part 225 - Lathe mechanism description and seed-collecting departures from Sakden

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SUMMARY:
Describes a foot-treadle lathe and how a wood block is fixed and worked using wax or gum. Notes very cold weather in Sakden and that Damong goes to the Bum La, with others to Tsina and Mago, to collect seeds.

CONTENT:
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for the lathe is supplied by a man, who treads two wooden slabs up and down. From the unhinged end of them a strap goes over the lathe spindle, and turns it by friction.

water
Bearing
cam
pivot.
pulp
Bar for treader to hold on to.

Bearing
gum to stick cup to lathe spindle
hole in ground.

The lathe is spun back and forward rapidly by the strap from the treadles. The wood block is held against the end of the spindle, which is covered with a wax or gum. Heat is generated and the wax takes hold of the wood block, which is then worked by double edged tools.

It is very cold in Sakden now, - a great change to what it was when we were last here. Damong goes off tomorrow to the Bum La, another man to Tsina and a third to Mago, all to collect seeds, or to