mac davis wrote:


Mac,
The term 'engine lathe' just refers to how the durned thing is driven
(from back in the days of steam engines and overhead leather belts
powering an entire factory) not what it is used for.

ahh... thanks...
when I worked in a factory, they called all the metal turning lathes
"engine lathes", so I figured that meant non-wood turning lathes..

The term lingers.

The ability to cut threads, while useful, is not enjoyed by every
metalworking lathe. I specifically have in mind a twin turret VERTICAL
lathe I had the pleasure of rebuilding after yet another 'inspired'
purchase of a former boss after a SME show in Detroit. IIRC, it had the
ability to turn two completely different parts at the same time.

I can't complain, I guess ... his purchases of derelict and dane bramaged
tooling kept me employed (although not always sanely so) for a couple of
years and that experience nows comes in very handy in my present job of
machine maintenance for a packaging plant.