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Metal Lathes

Summit Machine Tool is one of the metalworking industry’s largest providers of metal lathes. Take a look at our innovative industrial lathes. If you don’t see the exact Summit metal lathe you’re looking for, contact us because we can probably help you find the best metal lathe!

As one of the metalworking industry’s largest providers of metal lathes, Summit Machine Tool offers cutting-edge customer service to match our high-quality metal tools and lathes.

Metal lathes come in three basic types; engine lathes, turret lathes, and special purpose lathes. Summit offers distance between centers up to 200”, lathes with bed swing over bed lengths up to 10 meters, quick change tool post, and variable speed headstocks. We also supply CNC metal lathes for high-tech machine shops. Additionally, we stock hollow spindle lathes for the heaviest of heavy-duty applications. Each metal lathe is constructed from high-quality cast iron frames and engineered to provide the highest levels of precision.

At Summit Machine Tool, we understand that your metalworking lathe is crucial to your success. You need the right metal lathe, whether you’re a small machine shop or a large-scale operation. We offer a range of tools suitable for every situation, from metal lathes able to handle oversized pieces in a factory or the small precision work of a tool-and-die shop. Visit our individual lathe product pages for detailed prices and further details.

We stand by every part of our lathes, from headstock to tailstock. Need the exact price of a particular model? Unsure which lathe would best suit your requirements? Looking for replacement parts? Contact us for an exact quote and any advice you might need! We can talk you through the available options and figure out which metal lathe is best for you and will last for many years.

FAQ

What is a metal lathe?

A lathe is a machining tool that’s used to cut, sand, knurl, drill and turn workpieces by exposing them to a stationary cutting tool.

Also known as a metal lathe, a metalworking lathe is a type of lathe that’s designed specifically for metal workpieces.

What types of metalworking lathes are available?

Metalworking lathes are often classed according to the type of work they do, or according to particular features on the lathe itself. For example, a benchtop lathe is any lathe small enough to be mounted to a support bench rather than mounted directly on the floor.

The two most common categories are engine lathes and turret lathes.

What is an engine lathe?

The original engine lathe was a lathe with a steam-powered engine, as opposed to a manually-powered lathe. Now that all lathes are motorized, the term “engine lathe” has become a synonym for “lathe.” An engine lathe is the stereotypical lathe found in small machine shops and hobbyist workshops.

Engine lathes are the most common type of lathe found in machine shops and are fundamental for general-purpose metalworking tasks. Known for their versatility and simplicity, engine lathes are ideal for turning, facing, drilling, threading, and boring operations. They are widely used in both small machine shops and large manufacturers.

The primary components of an engine lathe include the bed, headstock, tailstock, carriage, and cross-slide. The bed provides a stable base, while the headstock, equipped with a spindle and motor, drives the workpiece. The tailstock supports the opposite end of the workpiece and can hold drilling or reaming tools. The carriage and cross-slide enable precise movement of the cutting tool along the workpiece.

Engine lathes are manually operated, allowing machinists to adjust speeds and feeds for optimal cutting conditions. They are suitable for working with a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, brass, and plastics, making them essential in metalworking and fabrication industries.

Today, the term “engine lathe” refers to a typical lathe; small to medium-sized, horizontally mounted lathes with carriage, slide, and the other normal features.

What is a turret lathe?

Turret lathes are a specialized type of lathe designed for high-volume, repetitive production of identical parts. They are distinguished by their rotating turret, which facilitates multiple cutting operations. This setup allows for quick tool changes and continuous machining operations without the need for manual adjustments, significantly increasing efficiency and productivity.

Key components of a turret lathe include the bed, headstock, tailstock, and, most importantly, the turret. The turret can be indexed to bring different tools into position, enabling various machining processes like turning, drilling, reaming, and tapping to be performed in sequence on a single workpiece. This multi-tool capability reduces setup time and ensures consistent quality across large production runs.

Turret lathes are often used in industries that require mass production of parts, such as automotive, aerospace, and appliance manufacturing. They are particularly effective for producing small to medium-sized parts with a high level of precision and consistency. The ability to automate repetitive tasks makes turret lathes an invaluable asset in any production environment where efficiency and uniformity are necessary.

What is a CNC lathe?

Summit Machine Tool also offers special purpose CNC lathes. CNC (Computer Numerical Control) lathes are advanced machining tools that offer the highest precision, efficiency, and automation in metalworking. Unlike manual lathes, CNC lathes are controlled by computer programs that precisely dictate the movement of the cutting tools, allowing for intricate and complex designs with minimal human intervention.

Key features of CNC lathes include their ability to store and execute detailed machining programs, high repeatability, and integration with CAD/CAM software for seamless design-to-production workflows. These lathes can perform a variety of operations, including turning, threading, drilling, and contouring, all with exceptional accuracy.

CNC lathes are equipped with multiple axes of movement, typically two (X and Y) for standard models, but more advanced versions can include additional axes for even greater flexibility. This capability makes them ideal for producing complex geometries and high-precision parts in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical device manufacturing, and electronics.

The automation provided by a CNC lathe reduces the need for manual adjustments, decreases production time, and enhances consistency in mass production with minimal supervision.

What are the parts of a lathe?

The basic parts of a lathe are the bed, headstock, tailstock, spindle, steady rest, and motor.

What is the bed?

The bed is a robust base that connects to the headstock and permits the carriage and tailstock to be moved parallel with the axis of the spindle.

What is the headstock?

The headstock houses the main spindle, speed change mechanism, and quick change gearbox. The workpiece is always fixed to the headstock, usually by a jawed chuck.

What is a lathe carriage?

In its simplest form the carriage holds the tool bit and moves it longitudinally (for turning operations) or perpendicularly (for facing operations) under the control of the operator.

What is a cross-slide?

The cross-slide rides on the carriage and has a feedscrew which travels at right angles to the main spindle axis.

Who uses a lathe?

Today, you’ll find lathes everywhere from fine woodworking shops to cutting-edge factory floors, serving different purposes but using the same principle; a spinning workpiece with a stationary cutting head.

Modern CNC lathes are the bedrock for many production lines and machine shops the world over. Lathes account for around a quarter of all new machine tool sales.

How are lathes sized?

In the US, you’ll find lathes described as “8 in. by 24 in.” lathes. The initial number refers to the largest diameter a workpiece can have and still be mounted above the bed. The second refers to the distance between headstock and tailstock, the maximum length of a workpiece mounted between centers.

In the UK, the initial number is sized differently; it refers only to the maximum radius, not diameter. An 8 by 24 lathe in the US would therefore be a 4 by 24 lathe in the UK.

What is the X axis of movement?

Lathes have at least two axes of movement: an X axis (forward/backward along the cross-slide), and Y (perpendicular to the X axis). Note that on a lathe, the workpiece itself doesn’t move; only the tool moves.

What operations can be performed on a lathe?

Not only can you turn, bore, grind, face and part off but with some slight modifications, you can also carry out milling jobs. Lathes are among the most versatile of the modern machine tools. In the hands of a skilled operator, a lathe can even be used to create all the parts necessary to make another machine tool like a milling machine.

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14” Metal Lathe

16″ L Metal Lathe

16″ Heavy Duty Metal Lathes

18″ & 20″ Metal Lathes

22″ Metal Lathes

20″, 24″, 28″ Metal Lathes

30″ Swing Metal Lathes

26″, 30″, and 33″ Big Hole Engine Metal Lathes

Big Swing Geared Head and Variable Speed Metal Lathes

42″ Hollow Spindle Oil Country Metal Lathes

Euro Hollow Spindle Oil Country Metal Lathes

47″, 55″, 63″ Big Swing Hollow Spindle Lathes

70″, 80″, 100″ Big Swing Metal Lathes

Smartcut Big Hole CNC Lathes

Smartcut Flatbed CNC Lathes