The following components make up the carriage:

Saddle - Fit on top of the bed and is accurately guided by the v-shaped guides in the bed.

Cross slide is fitted to the saddle and accommodates movement at right angels to the bed of the lathe.

Compound slide (or top slide) is usually where the tool post is mounted. It provides a smaller amount of movement (less than the cross-slide) along its axis via another feed screw. The compound rest axis can be adjusted independently of the carriage or cross-slide. It can be set to angels to accommodate internal and external tapers to be cut.  It also facilitate for the cutting of V-thread.

Tool post is used to hold tools for turning and facing, boring, and knurling. Quick change tool posts are specifically designed for the mini lathe and may include a tool post and tool holders.

Apron is the front face of the carriage. It is where the feed controls are located on most manual lathes. The apron is also a housing for the gears and associated mechanisms related to power feeding of the carriage and cross slide