# How to Calculate Spindle Speed on a Lathe
The lathe is a versatile tool that spins materials on a shaft, allowing the worker to shape and design the wood or metal. Wood lathes can be used to hollow out wood sculptures or create chair legs, while metal-working lathes are ideal for forming steel, iron or other hard metals. The material is placed into the machine and spun at a certain cutting speed, which is determined by the hardness and thickness of the material. These measurements allow you to calculate the proper RPM or spindle speed that allows you to work on projects without damaging the material or machine.
Things You'll Need
- Machinery's handbook
Instructions
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1
Determine the type of metal to be used in the lathe. Measure the diameter of the material.
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Use your machinery's handbook to find the recommended cutting speed for the type of material and the process on to be performed on the lathe. The book features charts with predetermined speeds based on metal types and the diameter. Find the speed that best matches your material and diameter.
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Multiply the cutting speed by 4. Divide the answer by the diameter of the material. For example, a 2-inch piece of aluminum with a cutting speed of 400 has a spindle speed of 800 RPM.
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