There are many machines that are essential to the construction industry. One such machine is a lathe. This is one of the most versatile and handy pieces of equipment that has a variety of uses when building or reconstructing parts of a home. This useful tool may be used to cut, drill, sand, face, and deform workpieces to be used in the build.

All lathes are used in the same manner, and may be used in various ways in a build. If you are looking to renovate or improve the way your home, you may find that the use of a lathe will come in handy in a number of different tasks in your home renovation project. This blog post will shed some light on the different ways lathes can be used in your build. 

What’s the Difference Between Wood and Metal Lathes?

Before we delve further into the usefulness of lathes, knowing the difference between wood and metal lathes is a worthwhile piece of information to have. Below, you will learn that although they may have similar uses, they have varying uses during the process of a build. 

Wood Lathes

Wood lathes, as implied by their name, are used specifically in woodworking applications. They are used to shape and cut wooden workpieces and create purposeful shapes that will be used in various parts of the renovation process. The workpieces are held in place and are cut using a rotating cutting tool, which is how most lathes work anyway.

Metal Lathes

On the other hand, metal lathes are used on harder materials during construction. These tools are usually used in conjunction with another cutting tool to be able to cut the pieces of metal into shape for the build. The metal workpiece is secured to the lathe while it is forced into the desired shape.

What’s the Difference?

In a nutshell, metal lathes are meant for metal and wood lathes are meant for wood. Metal lathes will still work on wood because it is built for harder materials, however, they will not work vice versa. Another notable difference is the price. Wooden lathes are cheaper than metal ones. Knowing which material to use for each part of the project will ensure that you use the right type of lathe for each workpiece and task. 

The Similarities

There are more similarities than differences when it comes to metal and wood lathes. They both use the same mechanisms when it comes to their operation. The workpiece is attached to the lathe and is cut and molded into shape using the rotating tool. Although the similarities are numerous, it still pays to know which one to use when it comes to the workpieces in your build. 

Conclusion

Depending on the nature of your project, you may need to use metal or wood lathes to get everything done. Knowing the difference between the two will help ensure that everything you need gets done to the proper specifications. Also, working with a reliable plastering and stucco company will ensure that the exterior of your home will look its best once all your renovations are completed.

Should you be in need of exterior plaster and stucco, come to One Stop Plastering! With over 60 years of experience, One Stop Plastering offers the best residential and commercial stucco and plastering services in the Bay Area.