simple explanation of the lathe

A simple explanation of the lathe parts.

A Simple form of foot lathe.

The office of the shears or bed is to support the head stock and tail stock or sometimes called tail block, and hold them so that the axes of their respective spindles shall be in line in whatever position the tail stock may be placed along the bed.

The duty of the head stock is to carry the live spindle, which is deiven by the cone, the latter being connected by the belt to the wheel upon the crank shaft driven by the crank hook and the treadle, which are pivoted by eyes W to the rod X, the operation of the treadle motion being obvious.

The work is shown to be carried between the live centre, which is fitted to the live spindle, and the dead centre fitted into the tail spindle, and as it has a arm at the end, it is shown to be driven by a pin fixed in the face plate, this being the simplest method of holding and driving work.

The lathe is shown provided with a hand tool rest, and in this case the curring tools are supported upon the top of the the tool rest N, whose height may be adjusted to bring the tool edge to the required height on the work by operating the set screw S, which secures the stem of N in the bore of the rest.

To maintain the axis of the live and dead spindles in line, they are fitted to a slide or guideway on the shears, the head stock being fixed in position, while the tail stock is adjustable along the shears to suit the length of the work.

To lock the tail stock in its adjusted position along the shears, it has a bolt projecting down through the plate C, which bolt receives the hand nut D.

To secure the hand rest in position at any point along the shears, it sets upon a plate A and receives a bolt whose fits a T-shaped groove, and which after passing through the plate P receives the nut N, by which the rest is secured to the shears.

To adjust the end fit of the live spindle a bracket K receives an adjusting screw L, whose coned end has a seat in the end J of the live spindle, M being a check nut to secure L in its adjusted position.

From the Modern "Machine Shop Practise"

Or the better one from the "Turning Lathes" by Lufhkin.

Read the book for mare information.