- There are several different types of lathes. The most common and perhaps most versatile is the engine lathe. Engine lathes can be used for virtually any type of lathe work, however because the engine lathe is so heavily used in the machining industry and must be reset for every new job, many shops use turret or specialty lathes for secondary operations. This may include a large production order for a highly specialized part which would monopolize their primary lathe and halt production on other jobs. Turret and specialty lathes are generally smaller and can be adapted to fill custom orders.
- Within the different types of lathes, lathes are available in different sizes as well. Some lathes may be customized to preform certain kinds of tasks. Lightweight or bench lathes are small and may be mounted to a worktable. In addition to being portable, lightweight lathes are perfect for jobs which involve small diameter stock. Lightweight lathes may be ideal for threading screws.
Precision lathes are standard equipment is machine shops. They may be used for boring, drilling, taper turning, knurling, or radius forming. A production lathe can typically handle stock up to 25 inches in diameter and up to 200 inches long.
Gap or extension lathes preform a similar function as precision lathes; however, they may be adjusted to accommodate longer or wider diameter material. Gap or extension lathes feature detachable beds that allow the operator to swing the bed away from the headstock, thereby increasing the gap between the ends of the lathe. This allows longer stock to be placed in the machine and turned. - A lathe is made up of several main parts. The headstock is a fixed mechanism that houses the motor. It holds the main spindle, oil reservoir, and gearing mechanism. The headstock is powered by an electric motor that drives the spindle and moves the pulleys or gears, thus allowing the mechanism to spin. A hole in the center of the spindle allows the operator to mount various attachments to the spindle. These attachments may include centers, collets, drive plates, drill chucks or faceplates. They serve as the various tools or cutting tips and should be selected based on the operation being preformed.
The tailstock is located at the opposite end from the headstock. It supports one end of the work piece between centers, which are long supports that hold the work and various cutting tools. The tailstock is able to slide along the ways and is adjusted to accommodate stock of different lengths.
Ways are the means by which the tailstock and carriage slide along the bed. The carriage is designed to carry to cutting tool. It slides along the ways and contains the mechanism required for moving the cutting tool towards and away from the workpiece. - Lathes are precision equipment. In order to maintain a high level of accuracy, it is imperative that they be inspected regularly. Lathes should be lubricated, and all screws or adjustment knobs tightened as needed. Keep the ways free of any dirt of grit. Clean metal chips off the machine after each use to prevent them from falling into the gears or pulleys. Lathes should always be used on a level surface to prevent wobbling, which may interfere with the accuracy of forming.
- Whenever operating a lathe machine, never attempt to take measurements of the work piece while the lathe is spinning. Do not adjust the spindle speed while lathe is moving. Never lay additional tools on the ways as damage to the track may occur and prevent the tailstock from moving properly. Make sure all emergency guards or stops are in place and fully operational. Always tie back hair and secure or remove loose clothing when working near a lathe.
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