Manual lathes are often less expensive than CNC lathes and are more suitable for small workshops or hobbyists. They are also more versatile in their ability to handle a wider range of materials and are better suited for one-off pieces or small batch production.

CNC lathes, on the other hand, are more suitable for large-scale production and are often found in manufacturing industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing. They are also more efficient, as they can run multiple programs simultaneously and can produce parts with a high degree of precision and repeatability.

Another advantage of CNC lathes is their ability to work with a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, and composites. These machines are also equipped with advanced features such as tool probing, bar feeders, and automatic part ejection, which further increases their efficiency and productivity.

In summary, manual lathes are best suited for small-scale production, hobbyists and prototyping, while CNC lathes are best for large-scale production, precision and repeatability, and high efficiency.

Additionally, CNC lathes have the ability to store and recall programs, which allows for quick and easy setup of multiple jobs. This is particularly useful in industries where there is a high volume of similar parts that need to be produced.

CNC lathes also have the ability to perform multiple operations in one setup, such as turning, drilling, and milling, which can result in significant time savings. This is known as multitasking or “turn-mill” machines. This feature is very useful for manufacturing complex and intricate parts.

Moreover, CNC lathes are equipped with advanced safety features that help to protect the operator and the machine. These features include automatic shut-off in case of an emergency, protection guards, and interlocks.

In contrast, manual lathes lack many of these advanced features and require more skill and experience to operate. They also lack the precision and repeatability of CNC lathes, which can result in greater variability in the finished product.

In conclusion, CNC lathes offer many advantages over manual lathes, including increased precision, repeatability, efficiency, and safety. They are suitable for large-scale production and are found in various industries that require high-quality and precision parts. Manual lathes, on the other hand, are more suitable for small-scale production, hobbyists and prototyping, and are more versatile in their ability to handle a wider range of materials.