man vs machine

Robin's bowl (left) and Mike's (right).

So, is it faster to use an electric-powered lathe?

It's South Yorkshire Wood Fair, Sheffield, 6 October 2007 and Robin axes out two similar bowl blanks from a sycamore tree felled nearby about half an hour earlier.

From a nearby marquee they carry out a friend's electric lathe and set it up under the trees next to Robin's foot-powered lathe. Mike sets up his portable generator, Robin has a cup-a-soup and a sandwich.

An expectant crowd gathers ... man vs machine ... who will be quickest turning a bowl? You can find the result by clicking on the video, below...