lathes are used in woodturning, metalworking, metal spinning, thermal spraying, parts reclamation, and glass-working. lathes can be used to shape pottery, the best-known design being the potter's wheel. most suitably equipped metalworking lathes can also be used to produce most solids of revolution, plane surfaces and screw threads or helices. ornamental lathes can produce three-dimensional solids of incredible complexity. the workpiece is usually held in place by either one or two "centers", at least one of which can typically be moved horizontally to accommodate varying workpiece lengths. other work-holding methods include clamping the work about the axis of rotation using a chuck or collet, or to a faceplate, using clamps or dog clutch.