Lathes--Just Wondering

[DesertDreamer]

This is what happens when I look at Harbor Freight ads...I was just wondering of a machinists' lathe can be used as a glass lathe?

[ptrautman]

The quick answer is no. Metal lathes are powered on only one end since metal is rigid. The "tail stock" end is free wheeling and the energy is transmitted through the piece of metal or wood

Glass lathes on the other hand have to be powered on both the head and tail stocks since the glass will be fluid in the middle.

Wood and metal lathes also spin much faster. Glass lathes turn very slow usually less than 100 rpm. With glass you can also use centrifugal force to spin the hot glass out. With glass lathes you may also meed to be able to blow air into the piece if it is hollow.

[glassactcc]

Ohhhh...if this were only true I would have kicked my husband out of his machine shop years ago.:badgrin:

[laserglass]

the answer is yes, but there are limits. here is a link

http://pw2.netcom.com/~sjnoll/glasslathe.html

[J&M]

Just buy an Electric Mandrel Spinner from Bearfoot Art: http://www.bearfootart.com/catalog.php?category=76

If you can wait a few weeks.

Jack
(They work great!)

[shawnette]

Just buy an Electric Mandrel Spinner from Bearfoot Art: http://www.bearfootart.com/catalog.php?category=76

If you can wait a few weeks.

Jack
(They work great!)

Unfotunately, the mandrel spinner is made for beads. Lathes are used for large pieces, like vases.

[J&M]

Someone get a hammer and give me a good whack on the head!