There are many types of lathes that are specialized for different materials and techniques. The main use is to remove unwanted parts of the material, leaving behind a nicely shaped workpiece. It works by rotating the workpiece around a stationary cutting tool. Lathe 101: What is a Lathe?Ī lathe is a machining tool that is used primarily for shaping metal or wood. Here are some lathe basics to help you understand what it is, how it works, and why it could be useful in your next project: 1. If you're considering lathe work and want to learn more about what the tool does, you've come to the right place. Today we're going to answer a popular machining question:
