The lathe is one of the most useful and versatile machine-tools that is capable of carrying out a wide variety of machining operations. The main components of the lathe are the headstock (it is fixed and is connected to the drive) and movable tailstock at opposite ends of a bed, and a tool-post between them which holds the cutting tool. The ordinary centre-lathe can accommodate only one tool at a time on the tool-post, but a turret lathe is capable of holding five or more tools on the revolving turret.

The headstock incorporates the driving and gear mechanism, and a spindle which holds the workpiece and causes it to rotate.

The rotation performed by the work-piece is considered the main motion whereas the motions performed by the cutting tool are suplementary. The main motion is determined by the speed of cutting or by revolutions, the suplementary motions are determined by the length of a tool path in millimeters per one revolution or per one minute. The depth of cut is set by an operator. Outer diameter operations take place on the outer surface of a cylindrical workpiece, by inner diameter operations is machined the interior surface or hole of it. It is necessary to choose corresponding tools for cutting both outside and inside surfaces to achieve required dimensions of the work-piece.

Centers are not suitable for every job on the lathe. They can be replaced by various types of chucks or by a front-plate, depending on the shape of workpiece and the particular cutting operation. The operator can use a chuck, for example, to hold a short workpiece, or a jig for drilling, boring or screw-cutting.

Centre lathe (Hwacheon). 460mm swing, 1000mm between centres, with DRO, chuck guard, and Haase toolholder. (Hwacheon [online] Wikimedia [vid. 5.1.2013].)

The base of a lathe that supports the headstock, tailstock, and the ways.

The section of the turning center that slides back and forth along the ways and supports the cross slide and turret.

The device located in the tailstock that supports the end of the workpiece opposite the spindle.

A device that holds a workpiece in place as it rotates. The chuck commonly has three or four jaws that can be adjusted to fit various sizes.

The end of a lathe that holds the spindle and the drive that rotates the workpiece.

Cutting operations that take place on the interior surface or hole of a cylindrical workpiece.

A tool commonly used to machine cylindrical forms. It is generally considered the backbone of the machine shop.

Cutting operations that take place on the outer surface of a cylindrical workpiece.

A machining tool that has one single cutting edge.

The device located in the headstock that holds the workpiece in place to rotate it.

The device at the end of a lathe that supports the end of longer workpieces

The unwanted but acceptable deviation from a desired dimension.

The device used to rigidly hold a carbide insert in place. Toolholders are available in standardized sizes.

The machining process used to make cylindrical parts. Turning is commonly performed with a lathe.

The component of a lathe that holds a number of cutting tools. The turret rotates to place tools in the cutting position.

A lathe that contains a turret. The turret holds several tools for machining.

A device used to hold a workpiece.

The part that is being machined.