A lathe is a machining tool that is used primarily for shaping metal or wood. It works by rotating the workpiece around a stationary cutting tool. The main use is to remove unwanted parts of the material, leaving behind a nicely shaped workpiece.

What do lathes produce?

Lathes are machines for turning and forming materials. This is usually done by removing material to form a shape, or drilling and cutting to create threads.

What does a woodworker use a lathe for?

A wood lathe is a type of lathe that's designed specifically for woodworking applications. In other words, they are used to cut, sand, drill, face, turn and deform wooden workpieces. They still work like all other lathes by exposing a rotating workpiece to a stationary cutting tool.