Purposes Of Lathes17

Purposes of Lathes

Lathes are machines used for shaping wood, metal, glass, and other materials. The machine takes a block of material and while turning it rapidly, uses an abrading or cutting tool to shape it symmetrically. The lathe can perform sanding, knurling, cutting and drilling. The lathe is used in many different applications. Perhaps the most well know application, yet one not typically called a lathe, is the potter's wheel. A metalworking lathe can produce screw threads, camshafts, and crank shafts. The ornamental lathe creates three-dimension works of art such as the decorative stairway spindle or table legs. Other examples are cue sticks and baseball bats.

The wood lathe is the oldest form of the lathe. All other lathes are designed around the same basic principles as the wood lathe. The wood lathe has an adjustable rail that positions the shaping tools, which the operator holds in his hand. After the wood has been shaped, the operator then holds and presses sandpaper against the spinning object in order to smooth the surface. There are also wood lathes made specifically for making bowls and plates. This lathe does not have the adjustable rail and does not restrict the width of the item being turned. Lathe accessories made for decorative work are available both online and in any store that sells lathes for hobby or woodworking purposes.

Metalworking lathes work by spinning a piece of metal and, using a hardened cutting tool, shaping the metal to the desired design. On the metal lathe the cutting tool is fixed to a mounting with is then moved with a hand wheel or a computer controller. The computer controller on a metal lathe allows for accurate cutting of such items as threads and worm gears. Cutting fluid is pumped onto the cutting site to keep the materials cool and provide lubrication. The piece being cut is held by a pair of points called centres or it is held in a chuck which is used to grip it securely.

Lathes have many different uses and applications. As such, there are many different forms of lathe. There is the jeweler's lathe, the bench lathe, the cnc lathe. Also you will find the glass working lathe, the metal spinning lathe, and the reducing lathe. The lathe can be combined into one machine with other tools such as a milling machine or a drill press. This is called a combination lathe.