Lathe cutters are machines used to cut and shape materials such as metal, plastic, and wood. They come in various sizes and types, including power, precision, and remote lathes. The size of a lathe is expressed numerically and refers to the swing size and maximum allowable length of material. Metalworking lathes have a bed-mounted carriage with a cross slide and a tool holder, while woodworking lathes have a mounted workpiece with a holder for the tool. Lathe accessories include chuck holders and cutting tools.
Lathe cutters are machines that hold a rotating object that requires cutting, along the outside surface, or reaming. Used since Greco-Roman times, lathe cutters now generally contain powered parts that provide rotation and can automatically move the cutter along the surface. The types of lathes range from palm-sized jewel cutters to massive room-sized machines used to create crankshafts and camshafts. Metal, plastic, and wood are common materials that are formed on a lathe.
The size of a lathe is usually expressed numerically. For example, a common type of lathe might be defined as 10cm x 36cm (25.4in x 91.44in). The first number is the swing size or distance from the bed of the lathe to the mounting spindle. This measurement means that the machine can hold material up to 5 inches (12.7cm) in diameter or half the size of the swing. The second number is the distance from one mounting point to another, or the maximum allowable length of material.
Manufacturers generally produce lathe cutters in three categories, called power, precision, and remote lathes. A power lathe is generally lightweight, fits on a workbench, and is capable of handling materials up to 10 cm (25.4 inches) in diameter. Precision lathes, or toolrooms, can be tabletop or floor-standing models and are often used in tool and mold shops. Some of these lathes can hold materials up to 25 inches (63.5 cm) in diameter and 200 inches (508 cm) in length. Gap lathes perform similar functions to precision lathes but have extendable beds, capable of handling extremely large pieces of material.
Metal and wood lathes can have either a horizontal or vertical bed, which can hold the engine. At one end of the bed, is the headstock, containing bearings and a rotating mandrel. The chuck holds one end of the material. At the other end of the bed is the tailstock, which holds the other end. Tailstock lathe parts usually slide back and forth along the bed to accommodate different lengths of material.
Metalworking lathe cutters often have a bed mounted carriage between the headstock and tailstock with a cross slide sitting atop this saddle/apron mount. Above the slide is a holder which holds the cutting tools. This tool holder can have both linear and rotary motion capability. The tools themselves are usually found in slots on the post, which rotates into the material at the desired angle and depth.
Woodworking lathes do not have a cross slide. Instead, these lathe cutters have a mounted workpiece with a holder for the tool. This fixture is generally found along the length of the material and provides a resting place for hand-held tools commonly used in woodworking. Lathe accessories generally include several types of chuck holders along with the specific bits or chisels for the required cutting tools.
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