Wood Turning Lathes

Even though it functions differently than most woodworking tools, the lathe has been a historically proven tool for many types of work including cutting, shaping, sanding and finishing wood. Wood turning lathes and accessories are the top of the woodworking craft.

Why would you use a wood turning lathe?

Wood turning is more than an ancient art form or tool structure. It is the best way to get a circular or shaved object to be formed with rounded edges and correct proportions.  Most woodworking hand tools cut straight edges or at best give a distinct beginning and end to an object.  Lathes work in a circular fashion with allows them to produce cylindrical and round objects.  Common items made with a lathe include: bowls, plates, pool cues, art sculptures, candlesticks, pens and baseball bats.

A lathe is designed on a platform or brace. On one side is spindle that will provide motion to the wood and on the other side is the tailstock which provides support for the object spinning.  While the object is turning, tools and accessories are used to cut, shape or design the object as needed. This circular motion creates a smooth and measurable surface that can be shaped to meet the woodworker’s needs.

Types of Wood Turning Lathes

There are really only two types of wood turning lathes. There is the standard type described above, and a mini-lathe with is similar in structure but has a much smaller base and tailstock and it used for smaller items like key chains, or ringlets.  Woodturning has been around since the early centuries where the spindle was powered by hand and has kept its original format for all those years, utilizing motors when they became available.

Accessories for Wood Turning

Of course, the lathe itself is just the turning tool. The real power in wood turning lathes and accessories is the bits, chisels or drill heads you use to shape the wood as it turns.  Some would argue the first and most important accessory is the spindle head. Every piece of wood does not come with a spindle hole already attached. So a spindle head that attaches to the wood is necessary.

The curvature on the bits determines the width and shape of the wood you will be shaving off the object.  Most chisels and tools are made of high grade steel or a carbide tipped carriage to ensure it stands up to the friction and produces a clean cut. Some bits have round bits of metal on the end to provide even a smoother cut and are used primarily as shaping tools.

Other accessories of choice include calipers that can measure the circumference and balance of an object, which is especially important when making a pool cue or bat.  Compasses are also of use to determine necessary base circumference and other forms of circular measurement come into use as well. 

Woodturning is an age old woodworking skill that has been passed down for generations. The motion of the wood and the chiseling away of substance to form a structure, create unique shapes and patterns that can't be made be on other machines. Using a woodturning lathe and accessories is different from other woodworking hand tools because it requires skill, timing and attention only learned through practice and education.