For example, just saw a video of a lathe machining a chess piece. The final product was much smaller than the starting piece. Why do you start with such large pieces of stock for small projects? Wouldn’t it be smarter and more efficient to rough cut using cnc or water jet then finish?
In: Engineering
Starting with larger pieces of metal or wood when using a lathe is about stability and control. The bigger stock gives you more material to work with, which helps secure the piece better and allows for more accurate cuts. If you started with something already close to the final size, it could be harder to keep it steady and get the precision you need. Plus, lathes are great at shaping material gradually, so it’s easier to start big and work your way down. Using a CNC or water jet first might not give the same level of detail or finish.
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