Wood and metal lathes are the two most common types of lathes
The main difference between them lies in their construction. A wood lathe is designed for machining wooden workpieces
while a metal lathe is used for workpieces made of metal. Wood lathes are usually smaller and simpler than metal lathes
Metal lathes are big and a bit complex. When you want to get a lathe
you need to consider the type of material you will be working on
However, a universal machine might be inconvenient. Below are some notable differences between the wood lathe versus metal lathe
Differences. Wood lathe versus metal lathe. A wood lathe works on wood
whereas a metal lathe works on metalwork. However, the metal lathe still works on
wood. Wood lathes are smaller than metal lathes. Metal lathes are a bit more complex than wood lathes
A wood lathe is more affordable than a metal lathe. The wood lathe can work more
easily without mounting, unlike the metal lathe, which is too heavy to use as a freehand cutting tool. Similarities. They both use the same
system when it comes to operation. The workpiece has to be attached to the lathe. It does not matter which type of workpiece
you are working on. The reason why it has to be attached is that it has to rotate against the cutting tool
What is a wood lathe? A wood lathe is a machine that is meant to shape
wood material. The cutting process revolves around drilling, sanding, and deforming wood pieces. You must ensure the wooden piece rotates
against the cutting tool to expose the unwanted part. Exposing tough materials to the cutting tool will not lead to a successful process
Simplicity is one of the characteristics that describe the wood lathe. It does not take much of your space as it is small
The pulley system regulates the speed at which the lathe runs. Although effective and efficient, it has less power than the metal lathe
The wood machine might not need mounting. You can use it as a mobile machine. That makes it easy to put away as soon
as you finish the task. You can detach the head in a short space
of time. Although it is difficult to use on the hard material, you can still use it to cut light plastic material
You can even have a detachable power motor attached to the wood lathe that
you can use on hard material. It can be innovative as you can make it
a computer-controlled machine. For a simple, small, effective pulley system, it is used as a hand tool. Light consulates power. Not effective on
hard materials. What is a metal lathe? Unlike the wood lathe, the metal lathe works in metal working
applications. Metal is harder than wood. This is why a wood lathe might be unable to cut through hard material
This shows why the metal lathe is a powerful machine. It easily deforms hard materials such as steel
iron, and aluminium. It is ideal for manufacturing material. The cutting tool is hard enough to withstand the pressure of metal work
The cutting tool has to press against the metal piece that is fixed onto the
lathe. The workpiece will rotate against the tool that cuts through the material. The spindle tends to be slow because
cutting through metal takes time and is difficult. Chances are slim that you will operate the machine at a maximum speed. The machine is quite
sturdy and solid which makes the experience bearable. It would be best if you were an expert working with the metal lathe
as it requires precision. When looking for accessories, you must choose mechanically controlled tools and powerful motors which is why
they are heavy. It can be a good tool for industrial machinery and military weapons. Pro's hardened cutting tool. Extremely
powerful. Sturdy precise. It can be mounted. Cons complex. Slower spindle aim. Features headstock spindles gear
Speed control. Tailstock carriage bed. Hand wipe. Eelwood lathe motor and speed
control. The motor is located in the headstock on the left side of the lathe. Depending on the type of motor it can be
covered or not. I would go for a closed one which will be more secure
The motors range from 3-4 to 2 hp tool rest. The purpose of the tool rest is safety. You can adjust the angles from which you
can shape your wood material. Switching tool bits is made easier and
quicker which might be great for users with heavier workloads. Metal lathe motor and spindle. The motors range from 1-8 up to 3 hp
showing a wide range of motors. They have a speed control dial
which makes the activity quick and easy. You can use it to turn metal pieces that require different speeds
Tool rest just like the wood lathe tool rest. It is a four position tool rest that allows you to place
any four tools in different positions you will be using. That makes switching tools easy. Cost a wood lathe is more affordable as it
tends to be simpler and lightweight. A metal lathe comes at a steeper price as
it falls under the industry mechanic grade. It comprises complex systems and features that attract an additional cost
A 22 x 42 3 hp three-phase motor wood lathe from Grizzly will set you back at
just under $2,500. In contrast an 11 x 26 1 hp single-phase
metal lathe is within the same price range. Wood lathes from Grizzly start from under 500 ounces. You would be hard pressed to find
a metal lathe in that range. Conclusion in summary both machines work
well when the right material is used. Although the wood lathe is simple
affordable and lightweight chances are slim that you can use it for metal parts. In contrast you can also use the metal
lathe to cut wood. This makes the metal lathe a versatile tool that should not limit you to various materials
I recommend a universal tool that can hardly select a material. Your application should determine the type of lathe you buy