The phrase spindle turning does not correspond to a widely recognized or independently documented concept in established encyclopedic sources. Consequently, there is no dedicated entry that defines the term as a distinct technical, historical, or cultural subject.
Possible contextual interpretations
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Machining context – In manufacturing, “spindle” refers to the rotating shaft of a machine tool (such as a lathe or milling machine) that holds and drives a workpiece or cutting tool. “Turning” denotes a machining operation in which material is removed from a rotating workpiece by a stationary cutting tool. Consequently, “spindle turning” could be interpreted informally as the act of performing a turning operation using the spindle of a lathe as the primary rotating element.
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Woodworking context – In woodturning, a spindle may also denote a slender, elongated workpiece that is mounted between centers on a lathe. The term might be used colloquially to describe the turning of such spindle-shaped objects.
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Textile or historical context – “Spindle” historically denotes a tool for spinning fiber into thread. While “turning” is not a standard term in textile terminology, the phrase could conceivably appear in historical texts describing the rotation of a spindle during the spinning process.
Etymology
- Spindle – Originates from Old English spinel or spindel, meaning a slender rod or pin, related to the Proto-Germanic spindulaz.
- Turning – Derived from the Old English turnian meaning “to rotate,” ultimately from Latin tornare “to turn on a lathe.”
Summary
Given the lack of specific, verifiable encyclopedic documentation, “spindle turning” is best understood as a descriptive, generic phrase rather than a formally defined term.