OK, next newbie question... why is an engine lathe called an 'engine' lathe?
Thanks,
nuk
OK, next newbie question... why is an engine lathe called an 'engine' lathe?
Thanks,
nuk
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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