Woodturning Lathe

6 Common Categories Of Lathes

Common categories of lathes include: woodworking lathes, metalworking lathes, glassworking lathes, metal spinning lathes, ornamental turning lathes, and reducing lathes.

Lathes are essential machines for woodturning, metal working, glassworking, and metal spinning. Many items made from metal can be transformed into useful objects by the use of a lathe. Operations like cutting, sanding, drilling, and knurling are made easier through the use of lathes. Here is more about the major categories of lathes.

Woodworking lathes

The oldest type of lathe is the woodworking lathe. Derived from it are the other types of lathes that we use today. The shaping of the tools is achieved by using an adjustable metal rail, a tool rest, and the operator. Sandpaper may be pressed against the spinning object to achieve a smooth surface. Other models are used for making bowls and plates which have no horizontal metal rail.

Metalworking lathes

Using a hardened cutting tool, metal is shaved from the workpiece in a metalworking lathe. The cutting tool is fastened securely to a solid movable mounting which in turn is maneuvered using handwheels or computer controls. The metalworking lathes are perhaps the most widely-known. However, material properties may be altered. Mechanical effects such as microcracks, work hardening, and residual stress may be noted.

Glassworking lathes

This type of lathe is quite similar to the other lathes in terms of design with a main difference only on how the work piece is transformed. The glassworking lathes uses a varied temperature flame in which a hollow glass vessel is rotated over. The flame is used to mold the softened glass which in turn is formed by glassblowing or by deformation. The lathes have two headstocks with chucks that are arranged to spin in synchronicity.

Metal spinning lathes

Operating a metal spinning lathes is as simple as the woodturning counterparts. This type of lathe would need a user-supplied rotationally symmetric mandrel, which is most often made from wood, to be used as a template. Metal spinning is not as common as it was before, but can still be handy for producing small batches.

Ornamental turning lathes

Ornamental turning lathes were developed to make decorative objects. These lathes may use horizontal and vertical cutting frames, elliptical chicks, and eccentric chucks. The cutting is usually done by a rotating cutter rather than having the object rotated.

Reducing lathes

This specialized lathe has features which integrate a mechanism similar to a pantograph. These lathes are used in coin-making wherein the plaster original is duplicated and then reduced.

More or less, the different categories are related with one another. The major differences are on the accessories.

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Woodturning Projects Ice Cream on the lathe have a great summer

Woodturning: Getting Started Right with Alan Lacer This is another internationally awarded video from Alan Lacer. This unique video for the new woodturner–or anyone wishing to build a strong foundation–covers all the basics prior to actually turning. There is an extensive section covering woodturning tools: types, uses and sharpening. Alan shows you a variety of lathes, how to select a lathe, its operation, chucks and chucking, examples of turne…

PSI Woodworking Products TM32 1/2-Inch Diameter Drill Chuck with a 2 MT Mount $31.03 2 Morse taper for Delta and Jet lathe headstocks or tailstocks. A 1/2-Inch grip can be used for grabbing small turnings or pen mandrels on the headstock or a drill bit in the tailstock. Accepts a 1/4-20 draw bolt.Will hold drill bits up to 1/2-Inch in diameterDrill chuck mounts in the 2 MTCan be used in either the headstock or tailstockTightens with a chuck key for excellent gripRemoved easily wit…

PSI Woodworking LCHSS8 HSS Wood Lathe Chisel Set, 8-Piece $74.05 …

PSI Woodworking CSC3000C Barracuda Wood Lathe Key Chuck System $168.00 Get a powerful grip on your work with the PSI Woodworking CSC3000C Barracuda Wood Lathe Key Chuck System. The “T” handle chuck key enables you to use one hand to tighten the jaws. Suitable for Mini, Midi & Full sized lathes Comes in a 9-pc molded carrying case. Body: 4 lbs. 3.5″ dia….

Woodturning Shopmade Tools and Jigs DVD $33.95 Using the wood lathe and a drill press as primary machines, Alan Lacer takes you through the making a wide variety of shopmade tools and jigs. You will learn fundamentals of steel selection as well as some basic heat treating. From creating a number of tools, he will also show you how to make two different jigs useful in completing the base and bottom of bowls and vessels (reverse chucking). …

DVD Festival – How-to Wood Turning Library – 7 Titles on 10 Dvds $89.99 DVD How-To Wood Turning Festival with Ron Brown. This is a collection of 7 stand alone titles on 10 DVD’s providing over 11 hours of instruction for anyone wanting to learn to turn wooden items on a wood lathe. This set deals with mostly spindle projects. The DVD titles are: “I have a lathe. Now what?”, “Project Sampler – 7 Projects for the new turner.”, “Bottle Stoppers”, “Spinning Tops”, “Fancy…

Projects Along the Woodturning Trail $48.99 Another Telly Award video from Alan Lacer. This 2 DVD set provides an enormous amount of information for the new to even seasoned woodturner. The first DVD provides a review of sharpening, review of tool applications then jumps right into a series of skill building exercises. The second DVD takes you through examples of between center work, face-grain work and concludes with a project that in…

Wood turner’s Tool Roll By Peachtree Woodworking PW3332 $9.99 Store your lathe turning chisels, gouges, skews and more in this convenient Woodturner’s Tool Roll! Measuring 29″ x 19-1/2″ when laid out, the tool roll provides plenty of room for your lathe tools and more. The canvas roll has 14 pockets measuring 12″ deep and the pockets vary in width for different size tools. Two nylon web straps with buckles secure the tool roll after it is rolled up. The tool…

MSA Safety Works 817893 Adjustable Faceshield $15.99 Faceshield meets all applicable requirements of American National Standard Institute ANSI Z87.1-1989; This attractive faceshield is comfortable and functional. It features a high impact polycarbonate clear visor that is easily attached. The visor flips up, and stays put, when not in use. The ratchet suspension knob adjusts the size of the frame’s suspension to the user’s head, for a custom fit. A …

PS Wood 3 Back-Up Pad $21.00 3″ width with hook & loop surface; 1/4″ shaft…