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Overbeck Machine Tools will start shipping LT-1BR and LT-2AR Speed Lathe models with a new housing color. See the photo below. The change is based on the World supply shortage that is currently challenging many manufacturers. In our case, our new color will be a lighter shade of the Hamertone Blue that we have historically used. Of note, the new color is the same color we used more than 15 years ago. You could say what is old is new again!

Speed lathes have come a long way in the manufacturing world, and have proven to be incredibly useful when it comes to deburring/lapping/sanding. However, like any machine, they can pose a safety risk if not used correctly or set up properly.

In fact, misusing industrial equipment can result in severe or fatal injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were nearly 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries in 2017, with 395 thousand cases of injuries in manufacturing workplaces alone.

Manufacturing is an essential component of the way we live, but because of the high-speed machines and equipment manufacturers commonly use, it can also be a dangerous job if basic safety and machine set up protocol is not followed.

It’s critical to take preventative care and safety precautions when using a speed lathe to avoid injury or a broken machine. First, let’s understand what a speed lathe is, what to use it for, and how it came to be the “mother of all machines” it is today.