ABSTRACT
The lathe is the father of all machine tools and is recorded in the early history of many races, when, equipped with a fixed tool-rest, it was used for wood turning. Lathes are specified according to the height of the centres above the bed, and the maximum length that can be accommodated between the centres. The bed of the lathe forms its body structure and is supported at a convenient height on legs. Lathes used to have the spindle-nose threaded to enable chucks and face-plates to be screwed on, but this practice has given way to other methods. On most lathes a compound slide is interposed between the tool-post and the cross-slide. This slide may be swivelled to any angle and its use enables the tool to be moved in directions other than those permitted by the carriage and cross-slide.
