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Question about using metal turning lathe for turning wood.

2K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  splatman 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
This is a question about whether it's good at all to use a metal turning lathe for wood turning.
I do not have a lathe now. I plan to eventually get one. I would also like to get into metalworking, So, instead of getting separate lathes for turning wood and metal, I would rather do both with one machine. To save shop space, resources, and $$. So, can it be done without issue? Any machinists around here willing to weigh in?
 
#2 ·
If you are going to turn large dowels only, yes, it would work… I've done a few handles on a friends lathe for accuracy purposes only, but you couldn't do other things as there isn't a vialbe tool rest, unless you made your own. Also, keeping it clean and lubed would be a problem. .......... Jerry (in Tucson)
 
#4 ·
It can be done, the main concern is most of the ways on metal turning lathes are well oiled which will attract dust and chips from turning wood. Turning my hand could also prove to be difficult as there aren't any provisions for mounting a tool rest.
 
#5 ·
Make up a tool rest that will go in the compound slot for the too holder. babit or plain bearings found in most metal lathes wont take the high speeds needed for wood turning. There are several lathes that are equipped with roller or ball bearings that make a terrific crossover lathe. if you want to get your production up to speed switch out the cross feed screw to a lever and you can make a copy lathe out of it. This is an atlas metal lathe that has been doing this for over sixty years. it can be switched back to turning metal in about ten minutes. the template is on the back and a follower on the back of the chip guard for the cross feed follows it. video
 
#6 ·
I have done it but only as a last resort, its just not good to get wood dust, shavings, etc. into the precision parts of a metal working tool. probably won't damage it if its cleaned very soon afterwards but will require dis-assembly to do it, maybe get the metal lathe and use it to make parts for a homemade lathe.
 
#8 ·
You can do it but it's awkward in a number of ways.

One concern is capacity. A metal lathe that matches
a modest wood lathe for capacity is pricey and very
heavy.

I have a metal lathe. It's bigger than my little mini
wood lathe and more hassle to set up for turning
wood. It still isn't longer enough to turn a dining
table leg, which is something any 36" wood lathe
can do at much lower weight and expense.
 
#9 ·
My initial concern was about wood dust/chips getting into places where they will cause problems. That was the main reason I asked. Then I thought, if that's so, then what about metal chips/dust when used for metal?
I didn't know about limited capacity or limited speed; thanks for letting me know about those.
Improvising a tool rest is likely no big deal.
Maybe I'll run with "cutmantom"'s idea: Use the metal-turning lathe to turn out parts for a wood-turning lathe.
 
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