A CNC wood lathe can greatly improve your efficiency and accuracy on projects which require a number of lathed pieces. This is because CNC technology allows you to program your pattern right into the machine and then let the machine to do all the work of producing your pieces for you. CNC wood lathes come in a variety of sizes, and may involve several different levels of complexity: the most advanced machines feature four axis computer control and automatic tool switching and selection. While these sophisticated machines can come with a hefty price tag, there are many machines that are priced reasonably enough for the serious do it yourselfer.
CNC Woodworking Machines
CNC woodworking machines are serious equipment, and even the most reasonably priced units can reach thousands of dollars. For this reason it is important to realize that CNC machines are not for everyone – you need to have the temperament to accept that your very expensive machine will sit idle for much of its lifetime. If you are serious about your woodworking, however, you will be amazed at what CNC machines can do for you.
Choosing CNC lathes
CNC lathes offer you the power to produce perfectly identical pieces for your projects (within the quality limits of the lumber you are using, of course). When you put the computer in charge of the depth of cut and tool choice you take the chances of human error out of the equation. As long as you have entered your project specifications correctly and clamped your materials in place you can be assured of absolute accuracy.
The Project Range
CNC lathes are great for many different projects, from furniture making to decorations and even built in fixtures for your home. One of the best uses for CNC lathes is in producing spindles for chairs, stair cases, and many other woodworking projects. With a CNC lathe you can quickly produce enough spindles for several chairs, for example, leaving you more time to focus on shaping other parts and on assembly. If you have a large enough lathe you can also produce projects like decorative fence posts or outdoor furniture; these are just a few of the many uses for a CNC wood lathe.