Wood lathes work with either reciprocating or continuous revolution. The reciprocating lathe is powered by a bow or a … See more

The archaeological record of woodturning is limited to illustrations because wood is a fiber prone to rot. Egyptian monuments illustrate a strap used by a helper to rotate the lathe while another worker cut the wood. Earl… See more

Complex forms made on a wood lathe develop from surprisingly few types of cuts: parting, planing, bead, cove, and hollowing. Parting separates the wood from the holding device or establishes depth cuts. Planning is … See more

The wood rotates between the headstock of the lathe which includes the drive mechanism and the tailstock support, which only rotates if its center is 'live' or supported by a rotating holding device. The headstock end may us… See more

Turning tools are generally made from carbon steel, high-speed steel (HSS), and more recently tungsten carbide. Comparing the three types, high-speed steel tools maintain their edge longer, requiring less frequent sh… See more

• Eccentric turning – turning a single piece multiple times, upon different axes each time.
• Oval or elliptical turning – turning a piece using an accessory mounted to the headstock that changes the center of rotation of t… See more