Lathe faceplte and its working

Lathe faceplate

A lathe faceplate is the basic workholding accessory for a wood or metal turning lathe. It is a circular metal (usually cast iron) plate which fixes to the end of the lathe spindle. The workpiece is then clamped to the faceplate, typically using t-nuts in slots in the faceplate, or less commonly threaded holes in the faceplate itself.

The faceplate may be attached to the lathe in several ways: The two most common are a thread and a precision cone arrangement or threaded studs and a circular recess fitting a flange on the end of the spindle. Increasingly common is the camlockarrangement where shaped studs and cams replace threaded studs for rapid exchanging of the faceplate with other accessories, such as three or four jaw chucks.

The faceplate was the ancestor of lathe chucks, an arrangement of three or more adjustable 'dogs' bolted to the faceplate providing a primitive chuck arrangement. The smaller plate in the upper photo is specifically a 'dog face' with slots intended to hold a bent tail dog while the work itself was supported on centers. The larger plate to the right simply provides a variety of ways by which work can be bolted or clamped to the plate. The slotted plate on the lower photo accepts wedged holders which can be used to fasten the work to the plate. The plates were expendibles, so it was not unusual as shown in both photos for a machinist to drill additional holes in the plates for attaching work that could not otherwise be attached. While the Dog plates were usually fairly small regardless of the lathe size, the classic face plate is usually matched to the maximum diameter that the lathe will swing.

It may seem that the faceplate is a primitive accessory superseded by precision chucks, but its inherent flexibility (almost any shape can be attached to a faceplate with care and the right fixings) and the possibility of achieving great accuracy by careful setting up make it an essential for the well equipped lathe.

For certain specialist jobs, temporary or special faceplates can be made, perhaps in wood or light alloy, that can be machined or adapted for difficult workholding jobs. One example might be attaching thin sheet metal to a wooden faceplate using woodscrews, allowing the trepanning of holes, with the tool cutting into the sacrificial faceplate material.

Lathe Faceplate work: Bulldozer pin

About Wood Lathe Faceplates

Types of chuck

Types of Lathe Chucks

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      Lathe machines are tools that spin blocks of material as abrasive or cutting tools are applied to the material. Often used to shape objects with rotational symmetry, lathes are used on wood, metal and other common construction materials. Lathe chucks are an essential part of any lathe machine as they are important in holding and clamping objects safely and securely in the lathe machine. There are four basic types of lathe chucks.

   Four-Jaw Independent Chuck

   1. The four-jaw independent chuck is the most affordable type of lathe chuck. In this chuck each stepped jaw is independently operated by a different screw. Because of this, four-jaw independent chucks can clamp square, rectangular, round and irregular shaped materials using between two and all four of the available jaws. However, because of this versatility, using this chuck can be a slow and grinding process that requires lots of practice and the aid of an indicator gauge. The jaws of this chuck are also reversible for clamping inside or outside, which is useful with mixed combinations.


Three- or Six-Jaw Scroll Chuck

2. 1. Three- or six-jaw scroll chucks are operated with a key that adjusts all the jaws at once. Scroll chucks are highly precise, fast and efficient and can work with changes of thousandths of an inch. However, they are not as accurate as a four-jaw chuck and the jaws are not reversible, so you need two sets for clamping inside or outside.


Four-Jaw Combination Chuck

1. Four-jaw combination chucks combine aspects of four-jaw independent chucks and scroll chucks. In a four-jaw combination chuck each jaw can be adjusted independently but all the jaws are opened and closed at the same time using a key. These chucks work well for repetitive work on square, rectangular or irregular pieces that don't require regular adjustments.


Jacobs Drill Chucks

1. Jacobs drill chucks are another common chuck type that work similarly to three-jaw scroll chucks, but they are designed with a long, accurate grips for use on drill bits and round stock. Jacobs drill chucks are generally used for drilling tailstock on lathes, but there are special models than can fit threaded lathe spindles that hold small, round bars in place.

defination chuck lathe machine

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   Definition  chuck  lathe machine

A lathe chuck is a device on the driven spindle on the head (headstock) of the machine that holds the workpiece. It grips and spins it.

The chuck has "fingers" called jaws that "pinch" the workpiece between them to secure it. Chucks can be 2-, 3- , 4-jaw or more. And the chuck can be self-centering or of the independent type.

The self-centering chuck will have a "scroll" of threads behind the jaws that engages them. The scroll is the screw that will close each of the jaws on the workpiece (simultaneously) with the use of a tool to tighten it. And this chuck will automatically center the workpiece in the chuck.

Independent chucks will have jaws that must have a tool used on each of them independently to tighten them. And of course, the workpiece will have to be "fooled around with" until it is centered in the jaws.

Workholding is a company that sells chucks and has an article with pictures. A link is provided to the site. Additional links are provided to other images. Be sure to at least look at the "6-jaw chuck taken apart" to see the scroll gear that simultaneously closes the jaws. Look closely. The shiney "circles" are not circles at all but are the gradually shaped spiral of the scroll

Machining Operations

Machining Operations

Word

Meaning

Context

More Information

boringBoring is an operation to enlarge and finish holes accurately. This may be done on a lathe or a milling machine.

Boring is a machine operation in which the work is in contact with a single point tool.

A work piece may be held in a 3, 4, or 6 jaw chuck and collets.

broachingBroaching is an operation that completes the cutting in one stroke or cut.

Broaching can be done on both internal and external surfaces.

The teeth of a broaching tool are equally spaced so that as the tool advances into the workpiece, each tooth removes a specified amount of metal.

drillingDrilling is an economical way of removing large amounts of metal to create semi-precision round hole or cavity.

Drilling allows a person to make holes through boards, metals, and other materials.

Used for last removal of stock on preparation for other operations like boring, reaming, or tapping.drill press

A machine designed to hold drill bits which will produce cylindrical holes.

Used for producing cylindrical holes, as well as reaming, boring, counter-boring, counter-sinking, honing, lapping and tapping.

There are three major types:

- Sensitive drill (light drilling)
- Upright drill (heavy duty drilling)
- Radial arm drill press (large, heavy workpieces)

facing

Facing is a lathe operation in which the cutting tool removes metal from the end of the workpiece or a shoulder.

Facing is a machine operation where the work is rotated against a single point tool.

A workpiece may be held in a 3, 4, or 6 jaw chuck, collets or a faceplate.

gang drilling machineGang drilling machine performs a number of drilling operations in a sequence.

The gang drilling machine is a series of single spindle drill heads mounted on a long table.

Each head is equipped with a different tool to drill the part being machined as it moves from one station to the next.

grindingGrinding is an operation in which the cutting is done by the use of abrasive particles.

Grinding processes remove very small chips in very large numbers by cutting the action of many small individual abrasive grains.

The abrasive grains are formed into a grinding wheel.

Very smooth surfaces can be accomplished by the use of the proper grinding wheel.

grinding machineGrinding machine machines metal parts with an abrasive wheel which can grind to close tolerances.

Grinding machines can produce parts of the identical size, shape, and finish quality.

Various types of grinding machines:

- Plain Surface grinders
- Rotary Surface grinders
- Tool & Cutter grinders
- Universal grinders
- Internal grinders

gun drilling machine

Gun drilling machine is a machine used to produce long, deep holes.

The operation is called "Gun drilling".

In some drilling machines, the gun drill is held firm in a machine and the workpiece revolves; in other cases the work is stationary and the tool revolves.

Uses three types of spindles for producing deep holes:

- way
- quill
- fixed-spindle

honing

Honing is an internal cutting technique that uses abrasives on a rotating tool to produce extremely accurate holes that require a very smooth finish.

Honing operation

Similar to lapping where abrasive sticks are mounted in a rotating tool.

Capable of accuracies of less than 1/10,000th of one inch.horizontal milling
machine

A horizontal milling machine uses a rotating tool to produce flat surfaces.

Used for heavy stock removal.

The milling machine provides cutting action with a rotating tool.

The spindle is mounted on a horizontal position. Available in different size tables.

latheThe lathe is used for producing cylindrical work. The workpiece is rotated while the cutting tool movement is controlled by the machine.

The lathe is primarily used for cylindrical work.

The lathe may be used for:

boring, drilling, tapping, turning, facing, threading, polishing, grooving, knurling, trepanning

non-precision grindingNon-precision grinding is a cutting technique used when the grinding does not need to be accurate.

Non-precision grinding is done when accuracy is not important.

Non-precision grinding is a free-hand operation done on a pedestal or bench grinder.precision grindingPrecision grinding is a cutting technique used when close tolerances and very smooth finishes are required.

Precision grinding as often used as a finish machining process.

Precision grinding allows very small amounts of material to be removed from a workpiece. This is extremely useful in acquiring smooth fnishes.

reamingReaming is a sizing operation that removes a small amount of metal from a hole already drilled.

The reamer is the tool used for this operation.

Machinists may use hand or machine reamers depending on the job they are performing.

shaperShaper is a machine used for the production of flat surfaces in vertical, horizontal, or angular planes.

The shaper cuts by passing a single point tool by the workpiece.

There are three types of shapers:

- Horizontal / plain or universal
- Vertical (slotter and key seater)
- Special

shapingShaping is an operation used to produce flat surfaces.

Shaping

When the cutting tool reciprocates while the work is fed towards the tool removing material on each stroke, it is called shaping.

single point threadingSingle point threading is a lathe operation used for creating internal / external precision machined threads with a single point tool.

Single point threading

Uses a special cutting tool that reflects the thread form.

There are over 100 thread forms.

sensitive drill pressSensitive drill press is a high speed machine that drills very small holes.

The sensitive drill press

- it is used for light duty work

- extremely precise quill and spindle

- capable of speeds of over 40,000rpm

- maximum drill size of 1/32 of an inch

tappingTapping is the process of cutting a thread inside a hole so that a cap screw or bolt can be threaded into the hole. Also, it is used to make threads on nuts.

Tapping is done with a tool called a "Tap".

Tapping may be done by:

- hand
- lathe machine
- milling machine
- tapping machine

turningTurning is a lathe operation in which the cutting tool removes metal from the outside diameter of a workpiece.

A single point tool is used for turning.

A workpiece may be held in a 3, 4, or 6 jaw chuck, collets or may also be held between centers.vertical milling machineA vertical milling machine uses a rotating tool to produce flat surfaces. A very flexible, light-duty machine.

The milling machine provides cutting action with a rotating tool.

The spindle is mounted on a vertical position. Available in different size tables.

video lathe operation