Which lathe component has a graduated rule for measuring the movement of a cutting tool into a workpiece?

Which lathe component has a graduated rule for measuring the movement of a cutting tool into a workpiece?

• A. Tailstock sleeve
• B. Crossfeed dial
• C. Carriage handwheel
• D. Feed rod

Answer: (A)

The depth of cut, or how far the cutting tool penetrates into the workpiece, is read from the crossfeed dial on the cross slide. As you feed the tool in toward the workpiece, the crossfeed dial provides a graduated scale that shows exactly how far the tool has moved radially. This direct measurement is essential for controlling depth of cut and ensuring consistent material removal. The tailstock sleeve may have graduations, but those measure how far the tailstock quill extends, not how far the cutting tool has driven into the workpiece. The carriage handwheel moves the tool along the bed (lengthwise), and the feed rod drives automatic movement, neither of which quantify radial depth into the workpiece. So the crossfeed dial is the component designed for measuring tool penetration into the workpiece.

The depth of cut, or how far the cutting tool penetrates into the workpiece, is read from the crossfeed dial on the cross slide. As you feed the tool in toward the workpiece, the crossfeed dial provides a graduated scale that shows exactly how far the tool has moved radially. This direct measurement is essential for controlling depth of cut and ensuring consistent material removal.

The tailstock sleeve may have graduations, but those measure how far the tailstock quill extends, not how far the cutting tool has driven into the workpiece. The carriage handwheel moves the tool along the bed (lengthwise), and the feed rod drives automatic movement, neither of which quantify radial depth into the workpiece. So the crossfeed dial is the component designed for measuring tool penetration into the workpiece.