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This guide explains the main components of a typical Colchester manual or CNC lathe, from chuck to tailstock, and outlines how each contributes to the turning process.

For centuries the lathe has been at the centre of manufacturing and engineering workshops, shaping metal with accuracy, repeatability, and control. From training colleges to advanced production facilities, the lathe remains a cornerstone of precision machining and mechanical education.

Machine tools are the foundation of modern engineering. From precision-turned shafts in aerospace components, to finely milled surfaces in medical devices, every manufactured part begins with a machine tool.

The new Colchester Magnum HD is a heavy-duty manual lathe designed for workshops handling large components, as well as providing mechanical reliability.

Colchester Machine Tool Solutions continues to set the benchmark in precision turning technology with the Harrison Alpha XS & XC machine range, powered by the innovative Alpha Control System. Built on the globally trusted Fanuc 0i-TF Plus CNC platform, the Alpha delivers industry-leading flexibility, productivity, and operator confidence — all in one machine.

Join us for two days of live demonstrations, workshops, and expert insight at the Colchester Open House. This year we celebrate 30 years of Alpha CNC/Manual Combination Lathes– machines that have transformed workshops worldwide by bridging the gap between conventional turning and CNC machining.