What is a Vertical Lathe?
A lathe is used to fashion a rotating piece of raw metal, wood, or composite into a precise configuration using movable cutting tools, or bits set to varying depths. The process, known as turning, or machining, is most often accomplished with a horizontal lathe. Often, however, space or material constraints, sometimes even personal preferences, necessitate the use of a vertical lathe. Essentially a horizontal lathe turned on end, a vertical lathe, also called a boring tool, is composed of basically the same parts as a horizontal lathe. As implied, the functions of vertical lathes are performed up and down, rather than side to side, as is the case with horizontal lathes. This vertical alignment allows short, heavy, bulky materials to be machined more efficiently than with a horizontal lathe. All lathes, vertical or horizontal, are comprised of the same basic parts. The headstock encloses the spindle and chuck, the parts that actually turn the material. The bed catches the shavings, and
