Text C. Using a Lathe

What type of work can you do on a metalworking lathe? A list could fill this page, but there are several basic operations. Plain turning is one operation. This involves machining the shaft. First you locate the center hole on each end of the shaft. Next you drill the center holes. Now you are ready to mount the work between the lathe centers. Some machinists check the alignment of the lathe centers before mounting their work. The cutting tool is put in place and you start the turning operation. The metal shaft turns; the cutting tool stays fixed against the work. The cutting tool should be set as shown in the drawing 6n page 38. Then if the tool slips in the tool post it will not dig into the work. Instead it will move away from the work as shown.

Taper turning is another operation. Usually the compound rest is used for turning and boring short tapers. You could also use a taper attachment.

Another common operation done on a lathe is cutting threads. The metal to be threaded is mounted in the lathe as it is for plain turning. A cutting tool is inserted in the tool post on the compound rest and work begun. As the shaft turns the cutting tool cuts the thread. There are different types of cutting tools for the different types of thread to be cut. Of course there is more to the operation than this, but basically that is how a thread is cut.

A lathe can be used for drilling, too. There are several ways drilling can be done. The work can be mounted on a lathe chuck - a device that is connected to the lathe spindle or clamped to the faceplate of the lathe. The drill id fixed to the tailstock. With this setup the work turns, the drill is fixed. The operation can also be reversed - the work mounted on the tailstock, the drill to the faceplate. In all cases the location of the hole is center punched to start the drill.

There are many other operations - polishing, knurling, filing, lapping, winding coils, and others. Most of these use special types of tools while the work is mounted between the head-stock and tailstock as it is for plain turning.

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