Metal Turning on the Lathe

Book excerpt: The lathe is an essential tool for all but the most basic of workshops. It enables the engineer to produce turned components to a high degree of accuracy. Often called the 'king of machine tools', it is also very versatile and can be used to make a wide range of engineering components. This new book shows you how to make full use of your lathe safely and effectively in your workshop. Topics covered include: A guide to choosing a lathe looking at different sizes and features available; Advice on installing and maintaining a lathe, selecting and sharpening tools, and working with chucks; Instruction on a range of techniques ranging from how to hold work in a collet through to cutting a screw thread. A new and practical guide to this essential tool, the lathe, aimed at both the aspiring and experienced engineers, modelmakers and horologists, Metal Turning on the Lathe gives advice on choosing, installing, maintaining and using a lathe safely and effectively in your workshop and is superbly illustrated with 239 colour illustrations. David Clark has spent over 30 years in the engineering industry and is the editor of Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop.