Turning Metal on a Wood Lathe - A ‘Woodturning’ Experiment

Is turning metal in a wood lathe even possible?! And if it is, why would you want to do so?

This video is intended as a demo, not a how to. As long as you can secure the work piece properly, drilling into metal on a wood lathe is not much different than drilling on a metal lathe. I’ve demonstrated drilling through a steel blank in several videos.

Using woodturning tools to work metal on a wood lathe is very different than using a metal lathe to complete the same tasks. Even with the aluminum used in this video, a simple task like facing the end of a spinning metal blank is challenging. The cutting geometry on the carbide tool used for the demonstration is also very different than a metal cutting carbide insert.

Why put metal into a wood lathe at all? Because once in a while money, time and deadlines conspire to force an unorthodox solution. The real question is whether this unconventional use of a wood lathe will work at all. Watch the video and find out!

Disclosure:
Some of the links below are affiliate links. When you order through an affiliate link this channel gets a small commission at no cost to you. That commission helps support this channel. Thanks!

Tools & Equipment I Use Regularly

Woodturning Tools

3/8” spindle gouge & 1/2” Spindle Gouge
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/c...

Crown 1 1/4” Spindle Roughing Gouge
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/c...

1/2” Crown Pro PM bowl gouge
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/c...

3/8” Crown Pro PM bowl gouge
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/c...

Carbide Turning Tool Inserts
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/w...

3/16” Diamond Parting Tool & 1/8” Parting Tool
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/c...

Crown 1/2” Skew Chisel
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/c...

Alan Lacer 5/8” Skew Chisel & 1 3/8” Skew Chisel
https://stores.alanswoodturningstore.com

Hollow Pro Hollowing Tools
https://www.mikejackofsky.com/Tools.html


Woodturning Drive Centers & Live Centers

Oneway Live Center
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway Safe Driver
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway 4-Spur Morse Taper Drive Center
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...


Woodturning Chucks, Chuck Jaws & Faceplate(s)

Beall Collet Chuck
https://bealltool.com/products/turnin...

Oneway Stronghold Chuck
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway Profiled Spigot Jaws for Stronghold Chucks
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway #4 Profiled Jaws for Stronghold Chucks
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway Jumbo Jaws
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway 4” Cast Iron Faceplate
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Vacuum Chucking

Oneway Vacuum Drum Chucks
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway Vacuum Rotary Air Fitting
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...


Sharpening

Oneway Wolverine Sharpening System
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway Vari-Grind Attachment
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway Grinding Wheel Balancing System
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Steady Rests

Oneway Bowl Steady Rest
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Oneway Spindle Steady Rest
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/o...

Big Red Steady Rest
https://www.theokspindoctor.com/

Misc. Tools

Starrett Combination Squares
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/s...

Starrett 6” ruler
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/s...

Adhesives:

Zap CA (cyanoacrylate) Glue
www.zapglue.com

NOTE:
When ordering from www.mscdirect.com better prices can often be found by looking through one of their many sales flyers. All the sales flyers are available online and the lower price often (always?) has a different part number and you need the alternate part number to get the sale price.

Starrett 6” Round Leg Outside Calipers
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/det...

5/8” Accupro Keyed Drill Chuck
*This chuck requires an adapter that fits the chuck and your lathe.
https://www.mscdirect.com/product/det...