How to Spin an Aluminum Lathe

Spinning is a crucial action for any lathe.

On either a computer numerical control lathe, also called a CNC lathe, or a manual lathe, the material spins while a tool is used to cut it. The tool itself moves along the coordinate plane and performs the cuts that are necessary for the finished part. The chuck's revolutions per minute are calculated using the tool specifications and the material being cut, so any type of lathe can use variable speeds for different materials and tools.

Things You'll Need

• CNC or manual lathe
• Allen wrenches
• Chuck key

Instructions

CNC Lathe

1. Place the chuck jaws you will need for the job. If the existing chuck jaws are not compatible with the material, loosen the two bolts on each with an Allen wrench and slide the jaws out of their slots. Place the small retention blocks for each jaw on the new set of jaws and slide each into a slot. Line them up so that they are equidistant from the center of the chuck. Tighten each set of bolts on each jaw with an Allen wrench.

2. Press the hydraulic foot switch to engage the chuck jaws. The lathe will not spin until the jaws have been engaged. Place the machine in manual mode and press the chuck button to turn it on. Make any necessary adjustments to the chuck speed from very slow, around 200 rpm, to very fast, about 4,000 rpm.

3. Look at the jaws to make sure they are spinning concentrically. If they are not, turn the chuck off. Hit the foot switch again after the chuck has stopped spinning to make any necessary adjustments. Make note of the jaw that is out of place and move it so that is in line with the others. Spin the chuck again to make sure the jaws are in the right place for machining.

Manual Lathe

1. Place the jaws you will use for the manual lathe in the chuck. The process is the same as the one you would use for a for a CNC lathe. Follow the process described above.

2. Tighten the chuck jaws using the chuck key. Manual lathes do not have a hydraulic system for closing the jaws, so you must do it manually. Turn the chuck on by engaging the lever, which will be on the left-hand side. Engage the lever up to spin the chuck clockwise or down to spin it counterclockwise. Make adjustments to the rpm while the chuck is spinning or you may damage the motor.

3. Check the alignment of the jaws, as it is often difficult to line them up without years of experience. Stop the chuck by placing the chuck lever in the center position, then wait for the chuck to stop spinning. Make the necessary adjustments to the chuck jaws to line them up. If necessary, place the raw material you will spin in the jaws, tighten them and then check for concentricity.

References

• American Machine Tools: How to Use a Lathe
• CNC Concepts: What is CNC?