Lathe Cutting Tools

Lathe tools are used to cut cylindrical materials with the use of a cutting tool. They're one of the most used machine tools. Principally, lathes are used to shape metal however they need to be shaped and can also be used for wood and other materials. Modern day lathes provide a larger variety of rotating speeds and can be used either automatically or manually.

How It Works

The material is fixed firmly onto the chuck, which is a specialized type of clamp. Once the lathe is turned on, the chuck begins to rotate. It's possible to move the table both in a vertical and in a horizontal direction with the use of handles. A tool bit is used to then cut the material.

The Types

There Are Three Main Types Of Lathe Tools:

* Engine lathe

* Turret lathe

* Special purposes lathe

Small lathes can be mounted onto a bench whereas the large type are mounted to the floor. An engine lathe is not overly large and can be transported as needed. This lathe is the most versatile of the three and can basically be used for any form of work. The remaining two lathes tend to be used for mass production.

The Components

There Are Three Main Elements That Need To Be Considered When Using Lathe Tools:

* The Rotating Speed Of The Chuck: if the rotating speed is set high, then the resulting surface is very finely finished. However, the danger is that high speeds can be dangerous, so for the initial stage, it's better to begin with a low speed.

* The Cutting Depth: the cutting depth will affect how rough the resulting surface is. For example, if the cutting depth is large, then the surface will be rougher. If you use a large depth regularly, then the life of the bit will be shortened. If you are not sure which depth to use, then it's sensible to set it at a lower value.

* Sending Speed: how fast the sending speed is will affect both the roughness of the finished surface and the processing speed. If you use a high turning speed, then the processing speed will also be high. If you use a low turning speed, then the end surface will be very smooth.