Top Lathe Accessories You Need!

Lathe machines are essential for any machine shop and provide machinists with a wide range of capabilities for creating precision parts. To maximize the potential of these versatile tools, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the top lathe accessories that are available on the market today.

In this article, the machine tool experts at Penn Tool Co. explore what can be made with a lathe and discuss three essential lathe accessories or attachments that every machine shop needs.

What Can You Make with a Lathe?

Lathes are incredibly versatile tools that can be used to create a wide variety of items. These items range from decorative products to intricate and detailed components for industrial machinery.

With the right knowledge, skill set and accessories any machinist can use a lathe to produce almost any item imaginable. The following are just some of the things you can make with a lathe:

• Furniture components, such as legs for tables and chairs
• Instruments, such as marimbas or drums
• Gears for motorized devices
• Vehicle parts, such as brake discs and wheel hubs
• Machine parts, such as screws and bolts
• Decorative items, such as sculptures and jewelry
• Customized kitchenware items, such as pots, pans, and cutting boards

3 Must-Have Lathe Accessories

Lathe accessories are essential for machinists to achieve quality results from their work. Without the right tools and attachments, a lathe can’t operate at maximum effectiveness for your objectives.

Here are three essential lathe accessories that every machinist should have in their workshop:

1. Drive and Live Centers
2. Lathe Light Attachment
3. Tool Rest Platforms

Drive and Live Centers

Lathe drive centers, also known as dead centers, are used for holding the workpiece securely in place and providing support for the material when machining. The drive center is a cylindrical component with a pointed end that is inserted into the material to be machined and held together with the force of a drawbar.

On the other hand, lathe live centers are used when rotating pieces of material at high speeds. Live centers have roller bearings that allow for smooth rotation of the workpiece, resulting in more precise and efficient results.

Both lathe drive and live centers are essential components in any machine shop as they each offer distinct advantages depending on the type of job that you’re doing. Drive centers are ideal for stationary operations like drilling or cutting, while live centers offer superior accuracy and speed when dealing with high-speed rotary applications.

Lathe Light Attachment

A lathe light attachment maximizes visibility in any lighting condition. It’s especially useful for intricate and detailed operations such as threading and drilling small holes.

The use of a light attachment also eliminates the risk of accidental nicks and scratches due to poor visibility. The most common type is an LED-based light attachment which produces bright, focused illumination.

This lathe accessory is mounted on a flexible arm which enables you to position the light in various angles to better view their work area. This flexibility is particularly helpful when machining complex objects or when making detailed cuts that require precise positioning of the tool tip.

Tool Rest Platforms

Tool rest platforms are one of the most essential lathe accessories for any machine shop. These platforms provide stable and secure support for any type of cutting tool, helping to ensure precision and accuracy when machining pieces.

Tool rest platforms also enable operators to work safely, as they keep their hands away from the spinning parts of the machine. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit different kinds of lathes, making them versatile and suitable for almost any workshop.

Find the Best Lathe Accessories & Attachments at Penn Tool Co.

To find the best lathe attachments and accessories for your machine shop, reach out to our team today.