A lathe is a tooling machine used in industry and in the processing of metal or other materials, used for rotary machining of objects, e.g. turning, drilling or threading, by turning the material on a spindle and the tooling. It is widely used in the production of machine parts and structural elements. Today we will tell you what is worth knowing about this equipment. to achieve mastery in processing.
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How to use a lathe correctly?
The lathe is a machine that, although already known to the Ancient Greeks, can still be described as irreplaceable. It is used for professional work, but is also essential for DIY equipment. The machining tool in such a device is most often a lathe knife, which should be resistant to mechanical damage, but also to corrosion. The operation process consists in setting a given object in rotation. Then the surface is machined using machining tools.
It must not be forgotten that although the device is easy to use, it requires the highest safety standards, because this is the only way to reduce the risk of an accident. The item to be processed should be firmly attached to the centers so as not to damage it. At the same time, you must be careful not to apply too much pressure to the knife. If you intend to fasten long elements, i.e. those over 800 mm, you must fasten them not only with a center, but also with a tailstock. However, even longer materials require the use of a support. You should also keep the workplace tidy and use a hook with a guard to remove shavings. Don't forget that if you bend the edges manually, e.g. with a scraper, the arm must be in the support.
Can you use a lathe for milling?
The lathe deserves to be called a multifunctional device. Indeed, thanks to it, you can perform many different activities, including threading, grinding, but also turning. What about milling? Of course, you can also mill using a lathe, especially if you choose an advanced model, specifically a CNC lathe. At the same time, such a machine allows for processing metal or other very strong materials. The key role here is played by the appropriate attachments, which are equipped with a mechanism replacing the divider. The workpiece must be clamped in the lathe chuck so that the cutter cuts its surface. When smoothing the element, you can use an abrasive cloth mounted on a board.
What does center spacing mean in a lathe?
There are various types of lathes, e.g. wheel lathes, disc lathes, but also specialized and chuck lathes. A very important function is also played by claw models, which are used for objects with a length determined by a special formula: I>6d, where I means the length of the object and d refers to its diameter. Therefore, the dimension of the object determines the spacing of the teeth. The largest turning diameter is located above the support and the bed. The center spacing in a lathe plays a very important role, because the center refers to the conical horizontal support that allows the material to rotate freely. So the material is placed between the center and the spindle. The spacing of the centers also determines the size of the workpiece. At the same time, remember that its length must be at least 6 times its diameter. For small and precise work, you can use center lathes, but table lathes.
Scheppach DM600 VARIO lathe at the Onninen wholesaler
When looking for a device with a wide range of applications, it is worth choosing a product such as the Scheppach DM600 VARIO lathe . It is intended for working with wood. You can safely place details up to 60 cm long and up to 25 cm in diameter. It is worth paying attention to its compact dimensions, but also the fact that it is relatively light, so it will fit in any workshop. For greater work efficiency, the manufacturer used an aluminum guide rail and special preparation for installation on a workbench. This way you can gain even greater stability of the machine. The Scheppach DM 600 Vario lathes are equipped with a 550W motor and an M18 spindle. Such good parameters allow you to work with wood of various hardness. The speed is regulated using a knob and has a wide setting range from 800 to 3000 rpm. For even greater comfort of work, this lathe has a comfortable support.