A lathe is a machine tool that rotates a workpiece about an axis of rotation to perform various operations such as zeroing, shaving, facing, cutting, tapping, drilling/boring, and turning down with tools that are applied to the workpiece to create an object with symmetry about that axis.
Stock Types
- Hex
- ThunderHex
- Round Stock
The difference between hex and thunderhex is the roundness of the edge. Hex has sharp pointy edges while thunderhex is more flat and rounded on its edges. We primarily use thunderhex because we use thunderhex bearings.  Image Modified
|  Image ModifiedWe have ½” and ⅜” stock. This means the outside diameter of the part is one of these widths, respectively. On round stock, you can measure this diameter from anywhere, but on hex and thunderhex stock, this diameter can be seen by measuring from opposite flat edges.
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Reading a Part Drawing
| This diagram shows each of the dimensions required to read and effectively use a part drawing. Important: - The outer diameter (OD) will tell you what size shaft you need to use.
- The inner diameter (ID) will tell you the size of the hole of the shaft, make sure your part ID matches the drawing ID.
- The tolerance will tell you how much your part length can be off. If your part is not within the tolerance given by the part drawing, you will need to do one of the two things listed:
- If it's too short, you’ll need to redo your part.
- If it's too long, you can face/shave it down to length.
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