Manual turning is a very versatile process, with the lathe being one of the only tools that can completely reproduce itself. The process involves spinning the workpiece into a stationary tool to remove material. The movement of the tool is controlled by the operator through manipulating dials to change the diameter of the cut and the position along the length of the workpiece. Clever fixturing can allow for the turning of non-round parts, parts with off center features. The operator can feel, hear and see the condition of the cut as it is occuring and adjust parameters in-process as needed.
