Lathe

A lathe is a stationary power tool that spins the material to be worked, while cutting and other tools are pressed against it. Due to the different requirements in turning speed, a given lathe is intended for woodworking or metalworking. Both types have the same basic parts: a headstock that holds the work and is connected to the motor, an optional tailstock for holding the end of cylindrical work being turned, and a rigid bed that both maintains rigidity and supports tool rests or guides.

Some beds and toolrests, especially in metalworking, have precision horizontal movements, so the tool can be advanced at a constant rate, as is needed for such things as cutting threads.

Somewhat similar to a lathe is a milling machine, primarily for metalworking, where the work is held precisely and the tools spin.

Industrial lathes can be extremely large, with all tool movement done by motor drives or robotic arms. Especially when robotically controlled, they may have multiple movements, so that they combine aspects of lathe, milling machine, saw, etc.