Metal Lathes

Safety and Operations

 List Lathe Operations
Parting
Facing: ● Similar to grooving, but fully removes a piece of the
● First operation on lathe machined part
● Creates a reference face, makes a perfectly flat face ● Uses a part catches to avoid damage to the machine
● Line up tool with tailstock Threading
● Make sure cross slide can make it to the middle of the stock ● Uses a cutting tool to create threads on the exterior of
● Cut no deeper than 20 thou metal.
● Do multiple passes until there are no cut marks ● Deeper threads may require multiple passes
● Should give a mirror finish Knurling
● It there is a nub left in the middle, the tool height is incorrect ● Creates a graspable pattern on a part
● Needs a special tool
● Creates a appealing finish
Drilling: Tapping
● Uses a stationary bit on tailstock and spins the piece to create a hole ● Similar to drilling, but uses a tapper instead of a drill bit on
● Creates perfectly centered hole the tailstock.

Turning
● Most common lathe operation
● Reduces the diameter of the piece
● Rough turning gets pieces to spec, finishing paths apply nice finish
Grooving
● Creates a narrow groove in a part
 List Safety procedures
1. The guards must be in position at all times while the lathe is in operation.
2. Materials must be placed in the chuck securely. The chuck key must not be left in the chuck. If the lathe
chuck is inside the chuck when the lathe is turned on,the chuck key will fly
3. The metal extruding from the chuck should only be a small distance. The more metal, a higher a chance an
accident will occur
4. Wear safety glasses or a face shield. Keep hands and fingers away from rotating parts/pieces.
5. Know where the e-stop is.
6. Machine should be set at speeds and feeds recommended for the specific metal being machined. If the
rotation or feed is too slow or fast, accidents are more likely to happen
7. Appropriate cutting fluids should be applied to the material being turned on the lathe.
Diagram the parts of a lathe
Spindle + Chuck
Tailstock
Headstock Compound
Tool Post Slide

Cross Slide

Clutch