Thread: Not Razor related, but really want to know about this lathe!

As Benz said, it is a pattern lathe, but maybe more information is needed for those non machinist or non metal casters.

A pattern lathe is used to make the wooden pattern of a metal part that is to be sand casted. The wooden pattern is made and banged into the sand to make the impression for the metal part. Once the impression is made with the wooden pattern, the wooden pattern is removed, the sand form sides are joined, and liquid metal is poured into the hollow space in the sand made by banging the wooden pattern into it.

Greatly simplified, but that is basically how the casting technique works and why a pattern lathe is used.