What Is Lathe Swing and How to Measure It: The Ultimate Guide for Woodturners and Metalworkers

What Is Lathe Swing? Let’s Talk About That First

Lathe swing is a blend of two words lathe and swing. So, the lathe is a machine used to cut wood, metal, or any such type of material by rotating its axis around a set of adaptable cutting equipment. In simple words, the lathe is just a machine to turn things around, which you could attach possibly any cutting tool that could do multiple tasks like cutting, sanding, and drilling as well.

Whereas swing, in this context, refers to the maximum diameter of the desired material that can be put on a lathe without causing any disturbance in the rotation of the machine. Swing is an essential part of the machine as it helps you determine the size of the material that you could possibly fit into the machine.

Altogether lathe swing is the measurement of the maximum workpiece material to be attached to a lathe without causing any damage to the device during its rotatory motion. Let’s get into the type of lathe swings:

Swing Over Bed:

Swing over the bed is the measurement of the largest diameter of the workpiece that can be attached and rotated on the spindle without hitting the bed. These are usually the first two numbers used to describe the size of a metal lathe.

Swing Over Carriage:

Swing over the Carriage, also popularly known as Swing over Cross Slide, refers to the measurement of the maximum diameter of the workpiece that can be made to rotate over the cross slide.

In both the above cases, the distance between the swing and the gap; determines the capacity of the lathe that can be occupied inside the machine. Well, there is one exceptional case that helps you maximize the accommodative measurement of the lathe; that is the swing in the gap in the lathe.

Swing Gap Lathe is the portion of the bed near which the chuck can be removed so as to accommodate a larger diameter lathe; having said this, the width remains the same while the diameter increases with the help of a swing in the gap.

Engine Lathe:

Engine lathe is utilized effectively to create numerous shaped metals by using technologically advanced cutting tools to give them the desired shape and size.

Engine lathes are used for various operations, some of which include:

Boring:

Boring refers to the process of digging or enlarging a hole in the insides of the metal. The work can be done with no timer with the help of an engine lathe as opposed to some other device. It is useful in the making of gun barrels and engine cylinders.

Drilling:

Drilling is a process well-known to us. An Engine lathe helps us drill different types and parts of machinery, which makes the entire process a whole lot better.

Turning:

Turning is the most important process in which an engine lathe is used. Turning essentially involves the rotation of the metal across the swing with some cutting tools placed around it in such a way that it helps to cut the metal in the desired form while it’s turning. This saves a lot of time, and the quality of the product also remains intact.

Facing:

Facing is a process in which the metals get smoothened to give it them a nice furnished look. Generally, this requires a lot of human work to brush and wend the metal, but with the help of an engine lathe, the entire process becomes much more convenient.

Parts of an Engine Lathe:

Gears:

The main significance of the gears is to generate power for the spindle. The same power is used in the cutting process also.

Carriage:

The carriage is mounted on the inner side of the engine lathe, which helps to dampen the vibrations. The carriage has got many parts, among which the cross slides help to feed the lathe. It provides the cutting option but can be operated with hands as well.

Tailstock:

Tailstock provides bearings which in turn provide support to the entire process This one also comes with various parts, just like the carriage. This is mostly mounted on the bed of the lathe.

Stepped Pully:

Stepped pully is a very important part of the engine lathe because it helps to operate the speed of the spindle. Monitoring the speed of the spindle is a very important operation as it deals with the cutting process.

How To Measure The Swing of A Lathe

The measurement is of great importance in this process as you might end up fitting the lathe of larger sizes which will tamper with the machinery.

The easiest way to measure a lathe swing is to put a dead center inside the tailstock and measure from there.

It is necessary to take measurements from both ways to ensure which is the closest one by means of a measuring tape.

Measure from the closest way up to your live center.

From this measurement, all you have to do is double it and round down to the closest number, and you are good to go.

Conclusion:

Lathe swing is the measurement of the maximum workpiece material to be attached to a lathe without causing any damage to the device during its rotatory motion.

Let’s revise what we covered earlier.

There are two types of lathe swings:

1. Swing over the bed

2. Swing over carriage

An engine lathe is used for boring, drilling, turning, and facing.

Parts of an engine lathe include:

1. Gears

2. Carriage

3. Tailstock

4. Stepped Pully

The easiest way to measure a lathe swing is to put a dead center inside the tailstock and measure from there.

It is necessary to take measurements from both ways to ensure which is the closest one by means of a measuring tape.

Measure from the closest way up to your live center.

From this measurement, all you have to do is double it and round down to the closest number, and you are good to go.