Can you turn soft metal on a wood lathe with carbide cutting tools?  I'm thinking soft aluminum. I've turned some very hard woods that seemed harder.  Is it foolhardy?

Yes, aluminum and brass at least can be turned on a wood lathe. Carbide or high speed steel tools will work.

 

Steve

There are quite a few of videos to view on the subject.  I'll add the speed needs to be adjusted to suit your needs.  Here is a link to some videos.

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=turning+aluminum+on+a+wood+lathe

 

 

 

 

I'm not a turner so, no help. But, I'm really looking forward to seeing your finished piece. 

We had a demo by Mark Sillay last Saturday and he said you can turn mild steel on the lathe with HSS tools. He had actually turned a morse taper.

Thanks, that looks interesting and something I will try.

I have both Metal and wood lathes.

There is really not a lot of difference. 

Metal lathe is of coarse stronger built and

the cutting bits are most of the time not held 

with your hand. I have turned wood on my metal

lathe and I have turned some metals on my wood lathe. 

A lathe is just a machine that someone has made and put a name on it...