Using the lathe

Before using the lathe you must be shown how to use it properly and safely by your teacher. Do not experiment without learning the basics first!

The first step in using the lathe is the preparation of the workpiece. The workpiece will almost always come from the table-saw so that you will be starting with a squared workpiece. The workpiece should be clear timber, especially for beginners at the lathe. Close grained timbers like beech, mahogany, oak or good quality red deal are all suitable timbers.

Before you can put the workpiece on the lathe you must find the centre of the workpiece at both ends. The easiest way to do this is to carefully draw diagonals from opposite corners. Where these intersect is the centre of the square. You will find out from your teacher the importance of finding the centres accurately.

 

You can put the workpiece on the lathe at this point and start the 'rounding up' process. However, some people like to plane off the square corners of the workpiece aswell to make the rounding up on the lathe easier. You can see how this is done from the illustration.

 

Machines

More on using the lathe