Lathe

A lathe machine is a tool which is used for a variety of purposes such as giving shape to solid objects, cutting, drilling, sanding and knurling. Lathes have been in existence for a long time with the potter’s wheel being an old example of a lathe machine. Different types of lathes are used in different industries such as woodturning, metalworking, metal spinning and glassworking industries. Ornamental lathes are used to produce complex three-dimensional objects.

A lathe machine works with the principle of spinning a block of any required material about a defined axis of rotation to perform the required job. A material is placed in either one or two centres of the lathe with at least one of them moving in a horizontal plane. It helps to allow materials of varying lengths to be worked upon on the lathe machine. Some examples of the objects that can be produced on a lathe are candlestick holders, crankshafts, camshafts, bowls, playing bats and table legs.

Different types of lathe machines include cue lathes, CNC lathes, glass working lathes and metal lathes. Wood lathes are one of the oldest types of lathe machines used. The reducing lathe machine (for making coins) and the turning wood lathe, also known as the rotary lathe, is also extensively used in industries. Some of the popular lathes available in the market are Holbrook lathes, Myford lathes and Drummond lathes.