Lathing is the process of "turning" a piece of material on a lathe into a specific shape.
A lathe (/lāT͟H/) is a machine that rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, and turning, with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object with symmetry about that axis. (Although the word is being lost in our society the benefits of the process are still vital to our modern lives.)
The lathe seen at this site is a metalworking lathe, where metal is removed from the workpiece using a hardened cutting tool, which is usually fixed to a solid moveable mounting, either a tool-post or a turret, which is then moved against the workpiece using handwheels and/or computer-controlled motors. These cutting tools come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, depending upon their application. Some common styles are diamond, round, square and triangular.
About the cache: This is great place to spend some time exploring this piece of industrial history. The business owner has granted permission for cachers to fully explore the lathe and accompanying hydraulic piston. We hope that you gain a better appreciation of the type of work that is done in this local area.
