Choosing & Using the Right Metal Shop Lathe

Choosing & Using the Right Metal Shop Lathe is an essential source of information for lathe buyers and users at every level, from mini-size tabletops up to industrial machines weighing half a ton or more. It answers the question of what else you will need to get useful work from the machine. For instance, what comes as “standard equipment” with the lathe? Most include a chuck (usually a 4-jaw independent, not the self-centering 3-jaw you’ll want to use most of the time), maybe a faceplate (rarely used), and a 4-way toolholder you will probably swap right away for a more sensible design. Never included is a tailstock drill chuck, an essential accessory you will need from day one—and the same goes for actual cutting tools. Almost certainly, there won’t be a digital readout (DRO), which used to be regarded as a “maybe-someday” luxury—but not anymore.

The work talks about cutting oils, cutting speeds and easier-to-machine materials, and it cautions against buying sets of anything, vs. buying the one accessory you’ll truly need. Finally, there are chapters on building a tailstock drill press, a special toolpost for easy screw cutting, and a precision grinder for lathe tools that can be made from oddments of material in a couple of days or less.
           
Features

• Differentiates between the truly essential features (screw-cutting) and the nice-to-have (power feeding), spindle speed selection from a gearbox (typical) or continuously variable (more convenient).
• Offers advice on screw-cutting US and metric threads, and handling the machinist’s most trouble-prone actions, such as knurling and parting off.
• Provides a workpiece tutorial that demonstrates many of the commonplace lathe routines—ideal for first-time users.