--- title: CNC Machining Blog | Hurco CNC Machine Tools | Lathe Tooling description: Lathe Tooling | Welcome to the Hurco CNC machine tool blog. Subscribe for weekly posts on high-speed and 5-axis machining, workholding, the latest control technologies, plus Hurco tips-and-tricks…just to name a few. --- # CNC Machining Blog - Tips and Tricks for Machinists Welcome to the Hurco CNC machine tool blog. Subscribe for weekly posts on high-speed and 5-axis machining, workholding, the latest control technologies, plus Hurco tips-and-tricks…just to name a few. Browse by All Manufacturing Industry Insights CNC Control & Software Milling WinMax Conversational Programming 5-Axis Machining NC / G-Code Programming CAD/CAM / Post Processor Hurco Turning Lathe Tooling Mill Tooling control technology High Speed Machining Mold Making Tool & Die Prototype Machining Workholding Automation Aerospace & Defense Hurco History cnc lathe turning center cnc machining entrepreneur history of machining 3d dxf Automotive Gerald Roch Hurco50 Indiana business Mr. Roch US Navy USS Indiana Vintage Hurco conversational cnc control conversational programming customer dxf dxf transfer hurco cnc indy inventions inventor manufacturing history 2-axis shearing machine 2d dxf 3D Import AI Artificial Intelligence COVID-19 Circle Segment Cutters Compu-cut Coronavirus Ed Humston Energy Hurco 50th Anniversary Hurco US Navy IRS Make48 Medical NHRA PRI Show Purdue Polytechnic Anderson Youth in Manufacturing autobend cnc mill depreciation federal income tax future history of Hurco how its made indycar racing rigid robust section 179 smart machining tax deduction vmx y-axis ## Posts about Lathe Tooling: ![CNC Lathe Chuck Stroke Indicator](https://blog.hurco.com/hubfs/feature%20image.jpg) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) [cnc lathe](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-lathe) [turning center](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning-center) When running a CNC lathe, making sure your part is securely clamped in the jaws of your chuck is vitally important. To be sure we have the maximum force allowable, we need to ensure that the part is fully clamped while the chuck jaws are in the center of their travel and not too close to either the fully open or fully closed state. ![CNC Machining: Improving Workpiece Surface Finish](https://blog.hurco.com/hubfs/Sequence%2001.00_00_00_00.Still001.jpg) [Aerospace & Defense](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/aerospace-defense) [history of machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/history-of-machining) [5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Mill Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mill-tooling) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) [Tool & Die](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/tool-die) [Mold Making](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mold-making) [Prototype Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/prototype-machining) [High Speed Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/high-speed-machining) As CNC machinists, we apply our skill, knowledge and experience to manufacture the best looking and most accurate parts that we can. We take a great deal of pride in the products that we produce, and we want others to see that pride in the finished product. But what do we do when we aren’t getting the results that we want? When dimensionally the parts meet blueprint specifications, but the surface finish and overall appearance is less than desirable? When this happens, we need to go back to the basics and ensure that we are using the best machining practices that we know to be correct. ![Buying a 5-Axis Machining Center? 5 Tooling Variables to Consider](https://blog.hurco.com/hubfs/Action-VM10Ui-Mount-Part-5axis-WEB.jpg) [5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Mill Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mill-tooling) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) Even the most carefully maintained machining centers eventually become obsolete. When it’s time to replace your older machine, look for one that gives you the maximum dollar value for your investment. [5-axis machining centers](https://info.hurco.com/en-us/5-axis-cnc-machining-5-sided-full-5-axis-with-hurco?utm_source=Catch-All-Vanity&utm_medium=URL&utm_campaign=5-Axis&utm_content=Unleash-Your-True-Potential) are versatile, efficient and flexible, and one can do the work of two or three [3-axis machines](https://www.hurco.com/en-us/products#!#vertical). With that new machine comes an opportunity to upgrade your tooling, as newer machining centers can handle more advanced tooling options. Consider these tooling variables when purchasing a new 5-axis machine. ![CNC Lathe Bed Design: True Slant vs Flatbed 'Flying Wedge'](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-517125189-jpg/images/slant_bed_lathe_1.jpg) [history of machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/history-of-machining) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) In this article, I discuss the ins and outs of the two main bed designs for CNC lathe machines: the true slant bed and the flatbed “flying wedge” configurations. ![Buying a CNC Lathe? Here's What to Know and Consider](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-473956730-jpg/images/lathe_buying_considerations_1.jpg) [NC / G-Code Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/nc-g-code-programming) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Workholding](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/workholding) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) When purchasing a CNC lathe, there are several questions to ask yourself before you begin the process. Some of these questions will be quite obvious: how much axis travel do I need? What size chuck should I look for? How many tool stations are on the turret? What is the spindle bore size? Etc. However, there are other specifications that are just as important but not always so obvious: what is the maximum swing distance that my work will require? What is the maximum turning diameter necessary for my family of parts? What kind of spindle horsepower and torque will my type of work consume? The first set of questions above is relatively easy to answer, but the second group requires a better understanding of lathes in general. ![CNC turret drive tool mounting configurations: BMT vs VDI](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-289691066-jpg/images/bmtvsvdi_1.jpg) [WinMax Conversational Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/winmax-conversational-programming) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Mill Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mill-tooling) [Workholding](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/workholding) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) Previously, I published a two-part series on the basics of mill-turn technology, where I cover topics such as: [axis configurations](https://blog.hurco.com/blog/bid/281989/An-Introduction-to-Mill-Turn-Technology), [the orientation of live tooling holders](https://blog.hurco.com/blog/bid/287376/Mill-Turn-Technology-understanding-live-tool-orientations), mill-turn terminology, instances when a Y-axis might be necessary, etc. In this article, I discuss the differences between the driven tool mounting configurations and offer my opinion on the benefits and challenges associated with each. ![Helpful Job Shop Products for Machinists](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-61732003-jpg/images/shop_resources_1.jpg) [5-Axis Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/5-axis-machining) [Milling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/milling) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Mill Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/mill-tooling) [Workholding](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/workholding) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) [Prototype Machining](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/prototype-machining) [Automation](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/automation) As machinists, we are all aware of the standard tools of our trade. However, there are other non-standard tools available that not everyone is aware of and could be very helpful in our day-to-day life in the job shop. Just like any other industry, if there is a time consuming and mundane procedure that must be completed, you can bet that somewhere there is someone who has already invented a tool or device that would make that task easier. Here is a list of helpful products for machinists that addresses workholding, fixture building, part and tool setup, coolant nozzles and more: ![Mill-Turn CNC: understanding live-tool orientations](https://blog.hurco.com/hs-fs/file-46101168-jpg/images/mill-turn_9.jpg) [WinMax Conversational Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/winmax-conversational-programming) [NC / G-Code Programming](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/nc-g-code-programming) [CNC Control & Software](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/cnc-control-software) [Manufacturing Industry Insights](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/manufacturing-industry-insights) [Turning](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/turning) [Lathe Tooling](https://blog.hurco.com/topic/lathe-tooling) We discussed the basics of mill-turn CNC technology in a [past blog article](https://blog.hurco.com/blog/bid/281989/An-Introduction-to-Mill-Turn-Technology). Today, I would like to build on that basic foundation. 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