Lathes and Lathe Components
Of the many standard and special types of turning machines that have been built, the most important, most versatile and most widely recognized is the engine lathe. The standard engine lathe is not a high production machine, but it can be readily tooled up for many one-piece or short-run jobs. It is also possible to modify the basic machine for many higher production applications. The modern engine lathe provides a wide range of speeds and feeds which allow optimum settings for almost any operation. There have been advances in headstock design to provide greater strength and rigidity. This allows the use of high-horsepower motors so that heavy cuts with carbide tools are practical. To utilize this high power without losing accuracy, new lathes incorporate heavier beds, wider hardened ways and deeper-sectioned carriages.