Metal Lathe turning wood?

[Mustang1964s]

Can wood be turned on a metal Lathe?
I have a chance to pick up a nice metal lathe, just want to know.

Thank you

[BobD]

Yes you can turn wood on a metal lathe. If you are going to use hand held turning tools, you will have to improvise a tool rest for the tools to slide on.
Depending on the type of wood and job, you can get by using standard tool bits mounted on the cross slides. Be advised, turning wood makes a huge mess on a metal turning lathe as there is typically no provision for dust collection.

[Rich Bingham]

Same tool rest adapted easily on my crumby old flat-bed Atlas. More of a problem with a Vee-ways lathe. You must take pains to keep the sawdust out of gearing and to see that oil doesn't soil your project. Overall, it's not the best idea JMHO

[david_dewey]

I turn wood on my lathe occasionally--however, it's pretty specialized turning; apple and manzanita to make bearings. Many uses for such bearings, the ones I made were used for Theatre Pipe Organ swell shades.

[Rich Eagle]

I have turned a dozen or more forms for metal spinning on my old Craftsman. A piece of light cardboard under the chuck keeps most of the sawdust out of the works. It works well on maple using the standard tool posts and bits.
Rich

[BHarper]

As stated above, one can turn wood on a metal lathe. You can't turn metal on a wood lathe.

You should try to keep the sawdust out of the "works." Cleaning that sawdust out of lubricated areas is a PIA. I often use aluminum foil to catch debris as it is created. It forms well to almost any shape and a length of string can help to keep it in place.

The photo below shows the wooden handle I made for the hand crank on my Metz. The original was cracked and falling apart.

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[Rich Bingham]

. . . Cleaning that sawdust out of lubricated areas is a PIA. I often use aluminum foil to catch debris as it is created. It forms well to almost any shape . . .

That's a great tip ! Nice job on the crank handle.

[Duey_C]

Bill, thank you. Armstrong tool holder? AND we can drill thru.
Steve, the June, 1911 South Bend 13x6 #926 here doesn't discriminate much either. Steel or wood, it doesn't care. Happy.
Funny, I haven't had an issue with the wood chips...
Get it, enjoy it. Learn from it.

[Mark Gregush]

Turned the tenons on some wood spoke blanks I bought on my Atlas. The turning was done at the tailstock end, so no real problem at the other end.

[babychadwick]

Without a doubt, to get those nice smooth tapers on this cannon I started out on the lathe.

[Herb Iffrig]

Have a look at one of my favorite youtube posters' videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b68CI4cxjAM

That is one of many wagon making videos he has.

Herb