OK, next newbie question... why is an engine lathe called an 'engine' lathe?
Thanks,
nuk
Engine lathe
Feb 24, 2006
4 Replies
Because it was powered by an external engine, often a large steam engine via elaborate shafting and flat belts.
GWE
Cool. Thanks!
The term "engine" has nothing to do with a means of driving, rather referring to a device (engine) that acts automatically as against being hand driven:
To that end:
"Self-acting lathe or engine lathe implying that there is a slide rest actuated automatically to traverse the tool to its feed or cut." Joshua Rose "Modern Machine Shop Practice" Vol I Charles Schribner's Sons NY. 1887
It is a term more used in the US, the British preferred the term self-acting.
Tom
If that were the case, every flat belt driven lathe would then be an engine lathe? Also, what about all the electric motor driven "engine" lathes?
Tom
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