What is a Metal Lathe?
When metals such as steel, brass, iron, and so forth need to be machined, notched or cut, the process is accomplished using a metal lathe. There are various types of metal lathes for various purposes and tolerances, but the most common metal lathe is a large, heavy-duty piece of equipment consisting of a number of components including: 1) the headstock, 2) bed, 3) feed and leadscrews, 4) carriage, 5) cross slide, 6) compound rest, 7) toolpost, and 8) tailstock. Each of these parts provides a vital function in the operation of the metal lathe.
