WEN 3421 3.2-Amp 8" by 12" Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe

 WEN 3421 3.2-Amp 8" by 12" Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe

•  Perfect for pens, bowls, cups, chess pieces, and other small workpieces
• Fits workpieces up to 12 inches long and 8 inches wide
• 3.2-Amp motor provides over 50% more power than most 8-inch wood lathes
• Adjust the soft start variable speed motor anywhere from 750 to 3200 RPM
• Features a 2.3-Inch face plate, an MT1 spindle and tailstock taper, and two interchangeable tool rests

WHAT IS THE WOOD LATHE FOR?

In our day-to-day it is possible to find many objects, furniture and decorative items made of wood, but have you ever stopped to think about the processes necessary for these items to reach you?

There are many steps for the wood to be finished and commercialized and today we are going to talk about an essential instrument for shaping wood, it is the wood lathe .

The wood lathe, as well as several other machines and instruments, are part of important steps so that the wood can be finished and finally sold.

The lathe is an instrument that can be used to deal with the most varied types of wood in their different sizes. A lathe can be used to create anything from small objects and toys to large furniture, boats, and gigantic projects.

Let's better understand the functionality of the wood lathe and its use.

Woodworking

The invention of the Wood Lathe!
Like many machines and tools we use today, the wood lathe has a long history.

It was created, more like what we know today, around the 19th century, but there are records of similar tools being used since 1300 BC! There is a lot of history that accompanies this tool.

Certainly, the invention of the lathe was fundamental for the development of society as we see it today and its operation was improved over time.

Previously, the lathe was used with a kind of rod that contained a rope. The rope was used to hold the piece of wood and also to activate a pedal that made the axle rotate, turning the wood .

There were other types of lathes. Leonardo Da Vinci also ventured into the invention and created a lathe that was composed only of a pedal and a wheel. Henry Moudslay was another man who went even further in inventing the modern lathe.

Old Wood Lathe

Example of an Old Wood Lathe

He used the steam engine, created by James Watt and added this important part to the lathe, making it even more powerful.

And with industrial development, this equipment was being improved until it reached what we know today, with the engine. Currently there are several types of lathes for wood such as bench, vertical, CNC lathes and others.

Each piece of equipment serves a purpose. Let's now understand how a wood lathe works .

What is the Wood Lathe
As already said, the wood lathe is an instrument used to turn wood. It consists of a tool that is used to shape the most diverse types of wood.

It is a mechanical rotation system in which the wood is held between two ends which will allow the wood to be rotated at an ideal speed so that it is possible, with specific instruments, to mold the piece of wood by means of strong friction .

A basic lathe has 4 essential parts which are: the support table, the fixed head, the movable head and the tool holder. Fixed head includes pulleys, motor, belts and axle. It is also possible to find the center with claws, which will be one of the direct wooden supports.

The counterpoint is the other end that will directly support the wood. The counterpoint is the place that will rotate and will also tension the piece of wood to form the rotation movements.

Next to the tailstock is the location of the head shaft and a mechanism generally similar to the flywheel used to hold the piece of wood between the center of the lathe.

This part is essential for using the lathe safely. We will see more below on how to use this equipment correctly to reduce the risk of accidents.

The tool holder is where the piece of wood will be lightly supported. The use of the support serves to support the instruments that will be used to mold the wood, being able to slide along its entire base. With more or less pressure it is possible to “wear” the wooden piece, thus giving the desired shape.

As already said, the wood lathe can be used on smaller scales, in the manufacture of bowls, toys, furniture and decorative items, among others. But there are also large lathes used in industrial manufacturing.

Many people use the lathe as a hobby to produce small parts.

Molding and turning wood are very old carpentry activities that, with the advancement of technology, could become even more functional, innovative and give life to creative work.

Whether professionally or as a hobby, it is essential to know how to correctly handle the equipment to avoid serious accidents.

Turned Wood PieceExample of some turned wood pieces

The role of the chisel
Now that you can understand the basic components of a wood lathe, it's time to talk about an indispensable tool to carry out the most diverse types of work: the chisel.

The chisel is a manual cutting instrument that has a metal blade at one end and a wooden handle at the other.

There are several types of chisels that are used for the most varied manual work, for example, working in metal, leather, cement and wood itself. The chisel is an instrument that will be used to rub against wood to create new shapes for the piece.

The chisel rests on the tool holder and the person handling it will make the appropriate movements to give it the desired shape.

It is important to work with quality chisels, as this way the friction will be well done and the end result will be much more satisfactory.

Keeping the parts sharp is also a safety tip for those working with wood lathes.

Wood Chisel
Example of a chisel turning wood

Cautions when handling the Wood Lathe
All equipment that has a high-speed shaft must be handled with great care. It is important to use all safety equipment when working with the wood lathe.

Appropriate clothing, helmets, gloves and especially glasses are essential for safe work.

The use of glasses is extremely important, as the friction of the tools with the piece of wood produces splinters that become real projectiles thrown away. In addition, there are other tips to be more secure when working with a wood lathe:

At all times when you are not turning the wood, turn off the engine.

For beginners it is essential to start with smaller projects. Working with smaller parts will bring more experience and avoid wasting raw materials.

It has a very clean and bright environment to carry out the work.

Recurring maintenance of all parts that make up the lathe.

Use high quality tools to avoid harming the machine.

Some types of wood produce very fine sawdust , so wearing breathing masks while working is essential.

Always read the manufacturer's instruction manual.

Check that the rotating parts are securely fastened to the vise before turning it on.

Before starting a new project, always check cables, possible cracks, chips and all the parts that make up the lathe.

These are basic tips for working with a wood lathe safely. Even if you never handle a lathe, it's important to know how important and extremely delicate this step is to finish a piece of wood.

We must value the work of the turners, who are the people who do this work professionally. After all, these professionals are the ones who bring to life the most diverse types of design ideas with wood.



Important part of the process
You just got to know a little more about an instrument very used in woodworking. The wood lathe is indispensable and can be used in different ways.

The lathe is just one part of a long, laborious and dependent process for the wood to reach its destination perfectly.

Knowing and knowing more about the history of the processes of objects around us is very important to better understand the world, its events and the value of each item purchased.