What Is a Lathe Tool?

A lathe tool is a tool or piece of equipment used on a lathe machine, which is considered the granddaddy of machine tools.

Lathe machines are used to shape materials ranging from metal, wood, and glass. It can be used in applications such as metalworking, woodworking, and glasswork. It works by means of a simple grip and rotates mechanism.

Depending on its purpose, a lathe tool can cut, drill, sand, rotate, or deform materials. Simply put, lathe tools make the lathe machine highly versatile.

This is a good reason why, despite its age – it is believed to date back to 1300 BCE – the lathe machine is still highly popular among wood and metal workers today. Learn more about the different types of lathe tools so you can decide what works best for your wood or metal project.

Types of Lathe Tools:

#1. Facing / Turning Tool

The facing/turning tool is going to be an essentials part of your lathe experience. You’ll need access to this tool when you want to shorten the period of stock on an item. It’s also capable of making a smaller diameter, so you can see how it would be useful for a variety of different projects.

You need to have the rights tools when you’re going to do the job, and it’s going to be staples for anyone who uses a lathe to cut.

These facing tool is going to be really simples to installs on your lathe. Whether you are using a turret lathe or if you have an engine or bench lathe, it will be able to do the jobs perfectly.

It will fit properly, and you will be able to put all your cutting tools in it without any problems. When you have a reliables facing/turning tool on your lathes, doing precision work is very simple. Here this unit is also made of steel, so you can tell it is going to stand up to regular use.

It’s a tool that’s going to come in handy several times over the years. It’s also a very affordable tool, so you won’t have any troubles adding it to your collections.

#2. Spindle Gauge

The spindle gouge is another important tool you need access to. These spindle gouges differ from normal chisels because of what they are used for. You will be using your spindle gouge to place coves in the pieces of wood.

This is a term used in woodworking, which basically means that you will be making grooves in the wood. These are very important steps, & you will need a well-designed spindle gauge to make the process as simple as possible.

You’ll actually find spindle gouges in sets along with some other wood chisel tools. They can also be purchases on their own, so just keep in mind what your exact needs are when you go out shopping.

This may be more convenient for you to purchase a spindle gauge in a set rather than looking for one yourself. It should also be noted that these spindles gouges will come in a variety of sizes.

Depends on your need, you may want your spindle gauge to be longer or shorter depending on the needs of the project you are running.

Owning multiple spindle gauges can be beneficial, so you may want to provide a few different variations. This is readily available, so you won’t have any trouble tracks down one.

#3. Bowl Gauge

Bowls gouges function similarly to their spindles gouges cousins, but they differ in several important ways. The most important thing to understand about bowls’ gouges is that they are used to create deeper gouges in the wood.

There are also many different variations of bowl gauges on the market. You’ll find many different styles and sizes, making this a very versatile toolset. Of course, you’ll need to make your bowl gouges pretty rigid to perform the tasks they’re intended for. It is essential that you purchase a finely crafted set of bowl gauges if you intend to use them very often.

These tools will be used when exiting the tool rest, so you want to make sure everything is going to be secure. Buying high-quality equipment will make the process much easier, so take your time to choose good bowl gouges.

The bowl gouge shown here has a nice European ash handle and a very sturdy design. It would be perfect for your purposes and is a highly recommended purchase.

These blades have been treated to last you a long time, so they will be very useful when you have important woodworking projects to complete. A good bowl of gauze may seem a bit pricey to some people, but the quality is important, so the money is well worth spending.

#4. Boring Bar

A boring bar will be useful when you need to drill a bigger hole than before. If you need to make room for a larger screw in the piece you’re making, or if you want a bigger hole for some other reason, this is what you’re going to do.

A boring bar can easily get into the hole that exists and will widen the area for you. It is important to understand that a pre-existing hole is required for this tool to function properly. Regardless, it will be important when you need to.

These can make your life a lot easier when you are building a table or anything else that needs holes to fit together properly. This will be a time when you need to enlarge the holes, and using a boring bar will make the process much faster.

You might not use it like some other lathe tools, but it will be useful to you when the time is right. Thankfully, you do not have to spend lots of amounts of money to get one of these handy tools. You can buy a boring bar set at a very reasonable price and then use it whenever you need it.

There are differents boring bar tips that will be useful when you need a specifics size. Keep that in mind, & makes sure you have the right sizes available.

#5. Chamfering Tool

The chamfering tool is often used when one needs to break off the edge of a piece. It’s also useful to make a chamfer on the side of the stock, so you’ll be able to make this jobs lots easier by owning one of these tools.

The drill bits on your chamfering tool must be heavy-duty to do their job well. It’s a good idea to buy a very powerful set to make the task as simple as possible. This chamfering tool is made from solid 42 chromium-molybdenum, so it will work well for your purposes.

When you need one of these tools, it will be a good buy for you. It is cost-effective, & you will have the ability to use this device for a very long time. Buying something that is truly durable is always going to benefit you as you can rely on these tools for many years.

Chamfering tools won’t be hard to find, and you’ll want to buy one in a pack with other lathe tools. You can buy lathe toolkits that will have chamfering tools inside them. When you need more than one lathe tool, it can be an efficient way to get multiple things you need.

Buying yourself a chamfering tool is another great way to takes care of your needs, so just take your time to makes the rights decision.

#6. Knurling Tool

The knurling tool is used when people are making some kind of knob. They can be used for others purposes as well but require a knurled tool to properly prepare the knob. A knob tool allows you to hold a knob precisely so that you can perform the necessary actions on it.

You’ll want to have access to a knurling tool for situations where increased grip is necessary to complete a task safely and properly. You can adjust these knurling tools to suit your needs, making your project much easier.

These frizzy tools aren’t something you’ll find very easily everywhere, so you may have to look for one. It would be very easy to get the knurling tool online, but you might not find it at your locals’ hardware store if they do not have a very strong inventory.

These may be an inconvenience for some people, but if you look around, it won’t take you long to track one down. It will install very easily on your lathe, so you won’t have to worry about it being a tedious process.

The knurling tool will be able to hold the objects neatly for you without putting any undue pressure on your lathe. It’s going to be really easy to own, so do your best to buy it today. These will prove to be good decisions, and you will love this increased grip on many items.

#7. Parting Tool

Parting tools are among the essential types of tools you can buy for your lathe. No matter what types of works you plan to do with your lathe, chances are you’ll need one of these. They are used to shorten things or to cut certain sections of stock.

This will be important when you are trying to fit everything together properly. You should be able to shape the pieces as efficiently as possible. Having good parting tools that you can use with your lathes is going to makes everything easier than it could be.

It won’t take you much time to shrink your item, and you’ll be able to do the job very precisely. It makes your time working with your lathe more enjoyable, and it helps improve your project.

Parting tools are very common, so you’ll be able to buy one from most major hardware retailers. It just makes sure that the models you are buying are going to work well for your purposes and will work with your lathe.

This will help you make the most of the experience, and it will save you any potential disappointment. Using this parting tool is going to be a huge help to your projects, so make sure to go out & buy one as soon as possible.

#8. Channeling Tool

The channeling tool is mostly used to cut channels in stock. These are going to comes into plays when you need shallow grooves or grooves that are circular in nature.

You will find that this is essential for many projects to be completed properly, so it makes sense to have channeling tools available to you. It won’t be the tool you often use on your lathe, but it’s going to come into play from time to time.

It’s easy to get a channeling tool when you buy it in a set with other lathe tools. The toolset shown here is incredibly high quality and made from high carbon tools steel. The tips of the tool are made using carbides, so they are going to work perfectly for your purposes.

This will allow you to do many different tasks, and you won’t have to worry about finding the right tool for the task. With a carbide tip, cutting channels in your stock will be as easy as possible. It pays to buy a toolset that is going to work well for many years.

These tools are made from rugged materials & will work wonderfully in your lathe. Give them a shot, & you will definitely find that they are to your liking.

#9. Woodworking Chisels

One of the most important woodwork tools you will have is a woodworking chisel. This chisel is going to help you do a lot of different things. There are five different chisels in this particular wood chisel set that all serve different purposes.

The chisel is ten inches long, and the blades account for four inches of that length. These are a really good buy if you are just starting out buying the tools you need for your lathes.

These woodworking chisels come in really nice wooden boxes, so you can keep them safe while they are not in use.  When you have access to these tools, you will be able to do your woodworking much easier. Whether you need a scraping tool or parting tools, this set has you covered.

When you have a reliable set of wood chisels like this one, it will look much easier to make various woodworking items. Whether you’re trying to craft a baseball bat or if you’re building your own table, these are sure to come in handy. You need the right tools for your lathe to make the job easier.

#10. Scraper Tool

The scraping tool is going to play a very important role as you approach the end of a woodworking project. You need these scrapers to be able to finish flat bottoms and convex sections of your work.

This is going to be an important aspect of the job as a whole, so you need to be a good scraper to rely on. You’ll find scraping tools at any hardware store, and it’s easy to use them on your lathe as well. Interestingly, in these scraper tools, only the tip of the blade comes into contact with the wood.

When your scraper is in good working condition, it will produce shavings from the wood, and you can use it to properly finish your piece. Using a scraper to do complex work may take little practice, but once you get used to it, it’s going to be one of your favorite parts of the process.

This will be an essential part of your lathe which will allow you to make some really beautiful objects. These scrapers have a square end, but you can buy scrapers with a variety of ends. Which scraper will appeal to you the most depends partly on what you’re working with.

The scraper shown is going to be able to do a great job for you as it has a solid handle and a sturdy blade. The tool sections are six inches long, & the handle is ten inches long.

#11. Wood Beading and Parting Tool

You’ll find that wood beading and parting tools work differently than normal parting tools in a few important ways. The essential thing to understand is that you use it to make a much shallower cut than a parting tool. This works well when you need to make the beads as well.

When you’re planning on adding convex detail to your woodworking, it’s imperative to have one of these tools at your disposal.

Most people who are serious about woodworks will own one of these tools. You should have no trouble finding what you need from most retailers where tools and pieces of equipment are sold.

It’s a tool that’s going to get a lot of use, and you’ll be happy to have it readily available. This would make many jobs much easier, and some woodworking techniques would be nearly inappreciable without it. This wood beading and parting tool is shown here will be very useful for you.

It can be used to easily disassemble the wooden parts you are working on. This high-quality tool will also make the beading job much easier. You may also find this tool sold in a set with other woodturning tools, so keep that in mind if you need other tools as well.

#12. Grinding Wheel

Some people choose to add a grinding wheel to their lathe to make things more convenient. This is going to be a great way to combine multiple woodturning and woodworking tasks into one convenient tool. You’ll be able to use this tool to do fine woodworking very easily.

It is designed to be very easy to use and makes it a convenient option for anyone who owns a lathe.
It is incredibly easy to put this grinding wheel on your lathe. It won’t take you long to set everything up, and it feels pretty secure once it’s on.

You will be able to get to work right away, and it will save you time in most cases. It may actually be a more cost-effective way to go about certain tasks, as purchasing a grinding wheel can be more economical than purchasing several separate tools.

Whatever your intentions for the grinding wheel, you can trust it will do a great job for you. Being able to buy it at an affordable price is an easy recommendation.

There are also those who enjoy the fine precision that many other tools have to offer, but the grinding wheel is something you should consider. Look at the pros & cons of each, and then think about what your needs are before deciding what to buy.

#13. Skew Chisels

The wood chisel set above includes a skewer chisel, but it’s good to specifically mention its purpose. The skewer chisel is what you use when you need a smooth finish to a piece of wood. You’ll often find yourself with a rough piece of wood that needs those final touches to get closer to completion.

The slant chisel is going to be invaluable to you when you want to finish your projects. You will find many types of slant chisels in the market. They will come in various different shapes & sizes, so you might want to have some of these in different styles.

This will allow your skewer chisel to be more effective than you are able to choose a chisel more suitable for a specific job.

People usually buy skewer chisels in a set, along with other chisel variations. Here these chisels are designed to be ergonomically designed and a real pleasure to use. The handles are made from household ash wood, and they’ll stand the test of time on you.

In this set, you can use the slanting chisel for many years. It also has a nice wooden carrying case so that you can take it with you to various places.

FAQs about Lathe Tools

What are lathe tools used for?

Lathe tools are used to shape materials like metal, wood, and glass on a lathe machine. They can cut, drill, sand, rotate, or deform materials, making the lathe highly versatile in various applications.

How do lathe tools work?

Lathe tools work by securing the material to be worked on and rotating it against a fixed cutting tool. The tool is moved along the material to remove excess material, create desired shapes, or add details.

What types of lathe tools are essential for beginners?

Essential lathe tools for beginners include facing/turning tools for shaping stock, spindle gouges for creating grooves in wood, and parting tools for cutting materials to specific lengths. These tools cover basic operations in woodworking and metalworking.

How should lathe tools be maintained?

Lathe tools should be kept sharp and clean to ensure optimal performance. Regular sharpening, lubrication of moving parts, and proper storage in a dry environment can extend the lifespan of lathe tools.

What safety precautions should be taken when using lathe tools?

When using lathe tools, always wear appropriate safety gear such as goggles, gloves, and ear protection. Ensure the lathe machine is properly secured and that the work area is clear of obstructions to prevent accidents.

Can lathe tools be used for different materials?

Yes, lathe tools are versatile and can be used on various materials including metals like steel and aluminum, different types of wood, and even glass. However, the choice of tool and cutting speed may vary depending on the material being worked on.

Where can I buy quality lathe tools?

Quality lathe tools can be purchased from hardware stores specializing in woodworking or metalworking tools. Online retailers also offer a wide selection of lathe tools, often with customer reviews to guide your purchase decision.

What are some advanced lathe tools used for specialized projects?

Advanced lathe tools include knurling tools for adding texture, bowl gouges for shaping bowls, and grinding wheels for sharpening tools directly on the lathe. These tools cater to specific needs in woodworking and metalworking.

Can lathe tools be used by hobbyists as well as professionals?

Yes, lathe tools are suitable for both hobbyists and professionals. Hobbyists can start with basic tools and gradually invest in more specialized tools as they gain experience and tackle more complex projects.

How can I learn to use lathe tools effectively?

Learning to use lathe tools effectively involves practice, starting with basic techniques and gradually advancing to more intricate projects. Online tutorials, woodworking classes, and books on lathe operation can also provide valuable guidance.