Ron Altier Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 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? lew 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Krumanaker Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 Yes, aluminum and brass at least can be turned on a wood lathe. Carbide or high speed steel tools will work. Steve HARO50, Grandpadave52, HandyDan and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 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 lew and HARO50 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Howe Posted August 23, 2017 Report Share Posted August 23, 2017 I'm not a turner so, no help. But, I'm really looking forward to seeing your finished piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerald Posted August 24, 2017 Report Share Posted August 24, 2017 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Altier Posted August 24, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2017 Thanks, that looks interesting and something I will try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Beitz Posted January 5, 2020 Report Share Posted January 5, 2020 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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