Engine Lathe Basics 211

Engine Lathe Basics provides an introduction to the components and controls used on a manual lathe. The lathe creates cylindrical parts by producing a round diameter on a part by rotating a workpiece against a stationary single-point cutting tool. The engine lathe, operated manually, is composed of a bed, ways, headstock, spindle, tailstock, carriage assembly, and leadscrew. Workholding devices are attached to the spindle to hold the workpiece as the carriage moves the cutting tool parallel or perpendicular to the workpiece. Cutting operations performed on the lathe include outer diameter (OD) operations and inner diameter (ID) operations. To produce parts on a manual lathe, the operator must first understand the lathe’s basic components and functions. After the class users should be able to describe the general machine components and controls of a manual engine lathe and their basic function.