What is the difference between turret lathe and conventional lathe?
A turret lathe has six-usual tools arranged in the order of use on a rotating turret which is cycled by a large wheel or (Turnstile) like contrivance- in fact some lathe makers calle them Turnstile lathes. the British prefer the term Capstan lathes, the Capstan being that old extended bar device ( somewhat resembling a turnstile) used by seamen to manually raise the anchor- in old Pirate films, etc. The Capstan or Turnstile is oriented vertically, like a steering wheel. they usually have six stops on a hexagon turret. For this reason, a number of automobile makers had hexagonal trademarks such as Essex and Packard- a mark of homage to the machines used to make the parts!- the Turret Lathe.
