The mini-lathe is a useful tool in the model engineer's workshop. With more choice than ever of more compact machines, a mini-lathe is able to accommodate a wide range of engineering requirements, projects and techniques, as well as being suitable for the novice engineer and for those with limited workshop space. Author and model engineer Neil Wyatt provides a practical guide to purchasing and using a mini-lathe, as well as examining more advanced techniques. The book includes a projects section to show the application of mini-lathe techniques. Topics covered include: choosing a mini-lathe; workshop safety and setting up the lathe; basic through to more advanced machining skills and finally, modifications, additions and tuning of the mini-lathe.

Neil M Wyatt is an environmentalist, ecologist and a lifelong model maker - he had his first workshop at the age of fourteen. He cut his teeth on Airfix models, but branched out into model boats and aircraft. He finds that astronomy and astrophotography are a perfect complement to his hobby of model engineering, offering many challenges to ingenuity and skill. He is currently Editor of the magazine Model Engineers' Workshop. This is his third book for Crowood.