The term Centre Lathe is derived from the fact that in its operation the lathe holds a piece of material between two rigid supports called centres, or by some other device such as a chuck or faceplate which revolves about the centre line of the lathe.

The lathe shown above is a typical example. This machine is usually used in a jobbing (one off) situation or for small batch work where it would be too expensive to specially 'tool up' for just a few items.

The lathe on which you will work is a machine used to cut metal. The spindle carrying the work is rotated whilst a cutting tool, which is supported in a tool post, is made to travel in a certain direction depending on the form of surface required. If the tool moves parallel to the axis of the rotation of the work a cylindrical surface is produced as in Fig 2 (a) , whilst if it moves at right angles to this axis it produces a flat surface as in Fig 2 (b).

Figure 2a. Producing a Cylindrical Surface	Figure 2b. Producing a Flat Surface

The lathe can also be used for the purposes shown in Fig 2c, 2d, 2e and 2f.

Figure 2c. Taper Turning	Figure 2d. Parting Off / Under Cutting
Figure 2e. Radius Turning Attachment	Figure 2f. Drilling on a Lathe