Search:

... and you have to advance the tool as you head for the centre.

Fortunately, it takes so long to do your first bowl you will be an expert at this before you get to the finishing cuts :smile:
...

Assuming right handed turner ...
I use the 45X45 method with my bowl gouges (fingernail grind)
1 Tool tip on centre line with toolrest as close to the blank as possible
2 Angle handle end of...

Well it is but mostly CNC and metalworking but wood does come intothe equasion when routin in wood. :-)

You don't need a faceplate unless you are bowl turning, although even that that is quite possble without. What you do need is tailstock, a centre with prongs around it and a rest to support the tool....

The best people to advise you on woodlathes are ones that use wood lathes....

http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/

This definatly homemade,you can tell by the crude nature of the thingand the pillow blocks look new.

SGS is probably just the initials of the person that made it?

Looks home made to me, it doesn't even have a bed as such.
It's probably been built from off the shelf components like a Picador spindle, that rusty drive centre looks like it's been made from an...