Draaier

Draaier is a Dutch term with two primary meanings. It can denote the machine tool used to shape cylindrical parts by rotating the workpiece against a cutting tool (the lathe), and it can denote the person who operates such a machine, a turner or machinist. The word derives from draaien, to turn or rotate.

Conventional lathes can be wood or metal lathes. Metalworking lathes come in manual and CNC varieties. A typical metal lathe is equipped with a rotating chuck to hold the workpiece, a tool post to hold cutting tools, a tailstock for support, and feeds controlled by handwheels or CNC software. Common operations include turning (reducing diameter), facing (producing flat surfaces at ends), threading, grooves, drilling and boring, and knurling. Wood lathes perform similar turning operations but using chisels and gouges rather than metal cutting tools. The choice of lathe depends on the material, required precision, and production rate.

Historically, the lathe is one of the oldest machine tools; early lathes were manual and powered by hand or foot. The development of screw-cutting lathes in the 18th and 19th centuries allowed standardized threads and more efficient production. In the 20th century, computer numerical control (CNC) lathes emerged, enabling automated, highly precise turning of complex parts. Today, lathes remain essential in metalworking, woodworking, and manufacturing, often integrated with other processes in machining centers. Safety considerations include proper workholding, guarding, and the use of personal protective equipment.