Precision Machining

CNC Turning

Shafts, pins, bushings, and cylindrical parts — machined to your exact specifications.

The Technology

What Is CNC Turning?

CNC turning (also called lathe work) creates round parts by spinning the workpiece while a cutting tool shapes it. Think of a potter's wheel, but for metal — and controlled by computer to tolerances measured in thousandths of an inch.

The raw material (usually a round bar) is gripped in a rotating chuck. As it spins, computer-controlled cutting tools move in to remove material, creating precise diameters, tapers, grooves, and threads.

When To Choose Turning

If your part is cylindrical — shafts, pins, bushings, spacers, threaded fasteners — turning is typically the fastest and most economical way to make it. Round parts are what lathes do best.

Industrial CNC lathe machine in a busy machine shop performing precision turning
What We Make

CNC Turning Capabilities

  • Precision Shafts

    Stepped shafts, motor shafts, drive shafts — any cylindrical shaft to your diameter and length specs.

  • Bushings & Spacers

    Press-fit bushings, spacers, and sleeves with precise ID/OD tolerances.

  • Pins & Dowels

    Locating pins, dowel pins, hinge pins — precision ground to fit.

  • Threads

    External and internal threads — standard or custom pitch. UNC, UNF, metric, Acme, and more.

  • Grooves & O-Ring Seats

    Precision grooves for snap rings, O-rings, and seals.

  • Tapers & Contours

    Morse tapers, custom tapers, and contoured profiles.

Examples

Parts We Commonly Turn

Here are some of the round parts we make regularly.

  • Shafts

    Motor shafts, axles, spindles, drive shafts

  • Bushings

    Sleeve bearings, wear bushings, guide bushings

  • Pins

    Dowel pins, clevis pins, hinge pins, roll pins

  • Spacers

    Precision spacers, standoffs, collars

  • Fittings

    Threaded fittings, adapters, couplings

  • Rollers

    Guide rollers, idler rollers, cam followers

  • Fasteners

    Custom bolts, studs, threaded rods

  • Plugs & Caps

    Pipe plugs, end caps, threaded plugs

Materials

What We Can Turn

Our CNC lathes handle a full range of metals.

  • Aluminum

    6061, 7075, 2024. Lightweight and fast to machine.

  • Steel

    1018, 4140, 4340, 12L14 (free-machining). Strong and economical.

  • Stainless Steel

    303, 304, 316, 17-4 PH. Corrosion-resistant.

  • Brass

    360 free-machining brass. Great for fittings and decorative parts.

  • Bronze

    Phosphor bronze, bearing bronze. Ideal for wear applications.

  • Plastics

    Delrin, nylon, UHMW, PEEK. When metal isn't right.

Quick Guide

Turning vs. Milling: What's the Difference?

Turning
The part spins. Best for round/cylindrical parts: shafts, pins, bushings, anything that's basically a cylinder.
Milling
The tool spins. Best for non-round parts: blocks, plates, brackets, anything with flat faces or pockets.

Many parts need both. A shaft with a keyway, for example, gets turned first (to make it round), then milled (to cut the keyway). We handle the whole job.

Close-up of an industrial lathe machine performing precision metalwork

Need CNC Turning?

Send us your CAD files or drawings. We'll review your project and get you a quote — usually within 24 hours.

Email Your Files (opens email client) Call Us at (555) 000-0000