What does a lathe do in woodworking?

A lathe is a powerful tool utilized in woodworking primarily for shaping wood by spinning it around a horizontal axis. As the wood turns, the craftsman can use various cutting tools to carve and shape the material into desired forms, such as table legs, bowls, or other rounded objects. This turning process allows for precise and intricate designs that would be challenging to achieve by hand.

Drilling holes is typically accomplished using a drill press or handheld drill, while sanding surfaces evenly is done with sanders rather than a lathe. Cutting wood into sheets involves saws rather than a lathe, which is specifically designed for turning and shaping rather than cutting large sections of wood. Thus, the role of a lathe is distinct in its ability to transform raw wood into finely shaped pieces through rotation, making it a vital tool in the woodworking process.