Difference between Capstan and Turret Lathe(Comparison Chart)

Difference between Capstan and Turret Lathe

Contents

The Key Difference between Capstan and Turret Lathe is that Capstan Lathe is a light-duty machine. Turret Lathe is a heavy-duty machine.

Capstan Lathe	Turret Lathe
It is a light-duty machine.	It is a heavy-duty machine.
The turret head is mounted on the ram and the ram is mounted on the saddle.	The turret head is directly mounted on the saddle and the saddle slides over the bed ways.
The saddle will not be moved during machining.	The saddle will not be moved during machining.
The lengthwise movement of the turret is less.	The lengthwise movement of the turret is more.
Short workpieces only can be machined.	Long workpieces can be machined.
It is easy to move the turret head as it slides over the ram.	It is difficult to move the turret head along with the saddle.
The turret head cannot be moved crosswise.	The turret head cannot be moved crosswise.
As the construction of lathe is not rigid, a heavy cut cannot be given.	As the construction of lathe is rigid, a heavy cut can be given.
It is used for machining workpieces up to 60mm diameter.	It is used for machining workpieces up to 200mm diameter.
Collet is used to holding the workpiece.	Jaw chuck is used to hold the workpiece.

The turret of the capstan lathe machine is mounted on a slide or ram which can be moved longitudinally on the saddle for feeding the tools.
The saddle itself is mounted on the bed.
The turret is generally hexagonal but may also be square or round.
This type of machine is lighter in construction and is suitable for machining bars of up to 60 mm in diameter
More than one tool may be mounted on the same face on the turret making it possible to machine more than one surface at the same time.
Capstan Lathe
Capstan Lathe Parts

The tool turret is mounted directly on the saddle and the feed is given by moving the entire unit.
The turret lathe can thus operate under more serve conditions accommodating heavier workpieces with higher cutting speeds, feeds, and depth of cut.
Turret lathes are capable of turning bars up to 200 mm diameter using collets as well as handling irregular jobs like castings and forgings with chucks.
Some turret types lathes are equipped with crosswise movement of the hexagonal tool turret by hand or power.
Turret machines provided with the so-called side hung type of carriage do not require any support from the rear slide of the bed.