Your K.O. Lee tool and cutter grinder is a precise monster of a machine. It's built to sharpen end mills, cut gears and handle demanding tooling work day after day. But like any workhorse, it needs the right parts to keep performing. When critical components...
Tips
7 Essential Lathe Maintenance Tips for Smooth, Accurate Machining
A well-maintained lathe doesn’t just run better—it lasts longer, performs more accurately, and reduces downtime. Whether you’re operating a manual machine or a CNC lathe, implementing a structured maintenance routine is critical.
Lathe for BeginnersÂ
The manufacturing world is facing a crisis. As veteran manual machinists retire, companies are struggling to replace them. Schools eliminated manual machining from curricula for years, and now companies are paying the price. But there's a resurgence...
Your Vintage K.O. Lee Surface Grinder Just Lit $50k on Fire
That's what happens when you ignore surface grinder maintenance until it's too late. You have to buy new equipment in the neighborhood of five figures. I dunno — maybe you should just burn stacks of money instead. LeBlond Service Manager Christopher Smith has seen it...
Tips for a Smooth Industrial Lathe Installation
So, you’ve taken the first steps in preparing for a lathe installation—you’ve identified the equipment weight, contacted a rigging company, and confirmed that disassembly and fluid drainage are (mostly) optional. Great! But the process doesn’t stop there. A successful...
Can You Ace Our Lathe Terms Quiz?
Do you have what it takes to ace our machinist terms quiz? Test your lathe knowledge.
Lathe Tailstock Parts Are Tougher Than an Abrams Tank (But These 8 Parts Will Eventually Break)
Here's the scorching truth about lathe tailstocks: They're built like tanks, but even tanks need maintenance. After five years selling LeBlond parts, Tim Fuller has seen it all. Dropped tailstocks. Beaten spindles. Parts thrown away by mistake. The carnage is real,...
5 Easy Tips for Extending the Life of Your Lathe
When the first explorers of America set out to find the Fountain of Youth, they never would have expected it right in the middle of a machine shop. The key to a lathe’s long life is through sticking to five easy lathe maintenance tips. An experienced machinist must...
Mastering Chip Control
Metalworking lathes are versatile machines used primarily for shaping metal and other solid materials. They are essential in various industries for machining parts using techniques such as: Turning, Facing, Drilling, Knurling, Parting, Taper Turning and Thread Cutting.