What is the most important

A change of underwear for that inevtable "catch".

B.

Patience

BINGO!

Dan wins the star!

ahh... thanks... when I worked in a factory, they called all the metal turning lathes "engine lathes", so I figured that meant non-wood turning lathes..

Mac, metal lathes were engine driven and termed engine lathes long before wood lathes were motorized. The term and the distinction remains to this day.

Ray, the most important thing I _should_ take is humble thanks.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

In _my_ experience (which is hardly global), the distinction is rather more fine, and an engine lathe can be pedal powered, water powered, donkey powered - an engine lathe is specifically a lathe that cuts threads. I suspect, but do not know for sure, that the engine derivation is from "engineering", not from the drive mechanism.

Most metal lathes have this ability, but not all do. Few wood lathes have this ability, and most that do started life as metal lathes.

His Safety goggles...... and his package of spare bionic fingers.

The ability to cut threads, while useful, is not enjoyed by every metalworking lathe. I specifically have in mind a twin turret VERTICAL lathe I had the pleasure of rebuilding after yet another 'inspired' purchase of a former boss after a SME show in Detroit. IIRC, it had the ability to turn two completely different parts at the same time.

I can't complain, I guess ... his purchases of derelict and dane bramaged tooling kept me employed (although not always sanely so) for a couple of years and that experience nows comes in very handy in my present job of machine maintenance for a packaging plant.

I don't buy that. We woodturners are the most IMPATIENT of all woodworkers (except perhaps wood carvers). We want a finished product in a couple hours, not days (or in 30 minutes in my case).

;)

Peter Teubel Milford, MA

How did the rose engine lathe get its name? Doesn't appear to be driven by an engine. Not normally used to cut metal, not designed to cut threads like metal cutting lathes. Does have rocking head stock, rosettes, and a touch that rides on the contour of the rosettes.

Don

If it automates some process it's an "engine" for that process in the same manner that Babbage's computers were to be called the "difference engine" and the "analytical engine". The use of "engine" as a synonym for "motor" came later.

Hi Don, Maybe because a rose engine uses rosettes in a mechanical device. Maybe because it makes flower-like ornamentations. Maybe we could just use a 'search engine' and find out, Naah! :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Good point, but I think that bears mostly on the depth of addiction.

It's frequent hits that make the addict, that's why they give long-lasting methadone as "treatment."

My methadone of the moment is a new set of nightstands.

(except perhaps wood carvers). We want a finished

Oh but Peter - that is why I think patience is of utmost importance - if you can patiently approach the work; making sure to arrive at the right, desired surface by painstakingly slow and thorough execution, then the woodturner will be more impressed with his own work - not just proud of finishing his turning!

Ray

Perhaps it's because of my relative newness to turning, or simply because I love to see the shavings curl away from the wood. But patience is not an issue. Especially when approaching the final cuts. Having spent a day or two turning a chunk of raw lignin into a bowl or whatever, I'm cautious and proceed with the utmost care in order to avoid making a mistake and ruining the project. Perhaps after a few years of this I'll become impatient, but for now . . .

Max