Function

• Both on-car and machine brake lathes remove the rough surface from rotors to ensure better braking. While very similar in function, their application is very different and each has its advantages and disadvantages.
  
  

Features

• On-car brake lathes feature a vertical cutting tool capable of taking down the surface of a rotor without having to remove the rotor from the car. Traditional machine brake lathes also cut vertically, but the rotor must be removed and placed on the chuck for machining.
  
  

Considerations

• On-car brake lathes are time consuming to set up, but are better at avoiding the runoff often seen with machine brake lathe-turned rotors. Runoff can cause chatter when the brake is applied and is considered undesirable.