Machinistlathe

Machinistlathe refers to a metalworking lathe used by machinists. A lathe is a machine tool that rotates a workpiece about an axis to perform turning operations such as turning, facing, threading, boring, and knurling. The classic manual form is the engine lathe, which is mounted on a fixed bed and controlled by handwheels and a tool post. Machinistlathes can also be turret lathes, gap-bed lathes, or bed-type lathes, and modern variants include CNC lathes that automate turning operations.

In operation, the workpiece is clamped in a chuck, collet, or on a faceplate. The cutting tool is fed into the rotating workpiece to remove material. Operators adjust spindle speed, feed rate, and tool geometry to produce precise diameters and threads. Common tasks include turning external shapes, facing surfaces, drilling through holes, boring internal features, and producing screw threads.

History and use: Lathes evolved from simple turning tools to highly precise screw-cutting machines in the 18th and 19th centuries, with standardization advances by Henry Maudslay and Joseph Whitworth. Today, machinists may use manual lathes for setup-prone or low-volume work, while CNC lathes handle high-precision, repetitive production.

See also: lathe, engine lathe, CNC lathe, turning, screw cutting, machine tool.