If not utilized properly, lathes may be harmful. Carefully read the owner's handbook. Before using a lathe, be sure you understand the instructions and are adequately educated. Only use tools that have been approved for your specific lathe. Don't modify the tooling or setup of the machine without knowing what it is designed to do. Lathes are mechanical devices that cut materials such as wood, metal, and plastic. They include planers, reamers, drills, and other cutting tools mounted on a rotating head. The head is attached to a shaft called a spindle, which is turned by a motor or an individual hand crank. As the head turns, the tools cut into whatever material is being worked on. There are many different types of lathes. Generally, they can be divided into two groups: tail-spin and head-turn. Head-turn lathes have a head that spins independently of the body. This type of lathe is more accurate than tail-spin lathes because it does not need to spin very fast to maintain its accuracy. Tail-spin lathes require faster rotation speeds to maintain accuracy. They can be more difficult to operate but give better results at slow speeds.