Best Wood Lathe for the Money 2021 | Reviews and Buyers Guide
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A wood lathe is a vital power tool for any carpenter, whether a beginner or professional. Wood lathes date back to the industrial revolution era and have come a long way in advanced technology in the 21st century with quality, features, capacity, and performance. Without a wood lathe, woodturning projects are challenging to accomplish, are very time-consuming, and labor-intensive. You can produce beautiful woodworking creations on a woodturning lathe.
Lathes come in three sizes; full-size lathe, mini wood lathe, or midi lathe size, depending on how small or large your projects are. One of the most important features is it must have an excellent solid bed, which is the main horizontal beam across the lathe base.
This bed is usually made of cast iron and needs to be heavy to stop the lathe from vibrating when the wood is spinning on the motor. However, there are several other features and technical specifications to look out for, so buying a wood lathe can be complex and confusing. With this in mind, we have compiled a comprehensive review of 5 good, solid wood lathes to help you to decide which one is right for your next wood project!
Here’s a rundown of what we’ll provide in this wood lathe review article:
- First, we’ll showcase our top 5 picks in an easy-to-read comparison table
- Next, we’ll discuss their features and benefits that you’ll find useful
- Then, we’ll take a good look at any drawbacks we think you should know about
- And finally, we’ll take a good look at the technical specifications of a decent wood lathe to give you a better insight into the range
Sound good? Let’s get to it!
See Wood Lathes on Amazon
Our Favorite Wood Lathes – Comparison Table:
CLICK on any image below to see Ratings and Reviews on Amazon
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | Grizzly Industrial G0462 | Check Price | 4.8 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | WEN 3421 | Check Price | 4.6 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | JET JWL-1221VS | Check Price | 4.4 / 5 |
  | Delta Industrial 46-460 | Check Price | 4.7 / 5 |
  | RIKON Power Tools 70-105 | Check Price | 4.3 / 5 |
| 5 Reviews
1. Grizzly Industrial (Model G0462) Wood Lathe (Best Overall)
- The Grizzly Industrial Wood Lathe has a 2 horsepower single-phase motor, swing over bed of 16 inches, 1 inch by 8 TPI RH headstock spindle, MT #2 spindle & tailstock tapers, and features a spindle tachometer with digital readout.
- It has Quick Lock/Release Levers for Tailstock and Headstock. There are 10 speeds with a range of 600-24000 RPM. Speed changing is easy with the shift-on-the-fly handle so no belts to mess with.
- Outboard turning is easy by loosening the headstock and swiveling it up to 360 degrees for flexibility. The distance between centers is 46 inches. It has a 12-inch tool rest and tool rest extension with a 13-inch swing over tool rest.
- The solid cast iron construction throughout ensures a smooth operation and minimal vibration to affect your workpiece.
- If more mass is needed, the legs feature shelf supports for you to custom build a shelf. Dimensions: 17.5 x 63.25 x 20 inches, weight 354 pounds. 2HP, 110V, AC.
- A solid, sturdy industrial woodworking lathe with many good features and is ideal for all experienced and professional woodturners.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. WEN 3421 Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe (Best Value)
- The WEN mini benchtop lathe has a 3.2 amp motor with a soft start variable speed control from 750 to 3200 RPM. It fits workpieces up to 12 inches long and 8 inches wide ideal for small or medium projects around the home.
- The minimal design is ideal for chess pieces, cups, bowls, pens, and other small items. The WEN wood lathe is made from cast iron and features excellent wood lathe tools such as a 2.3-inch faceplate for non-spindle workpieces, an MT1 spindle, and Tailstock taper to grip workpieces tightly and two interchangeable tool rests 4-1/2 inches by 7 inches providing support for chisels and tools during operation.
- An easy to use Lever clamping system helps to make adjustments to both the tool rest and the Tailstock simple and precise.
- Also included is a flat wrench, a headstock spur center, a tailstock cup center, and a knockout rod. Dimensions: 28 x 13.3 x 7.6 inches, weight 44.9 pounds, 120V.
- It has a two-year warranty and good customer service. Good value beginners benchtop lathe, but only designed for light and small work as there's not enough torque for large diameter work with deep cuts. However, this is ideal for bowl turning, pen turning, and similar smaller projects.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. JET Variable Speed Midi Wood Lathe
- The Jet Wood Lathe has a 1 horsepower variable speed control from 60 to 3600 RPM with digital readout. Smooth transition from forward to reverse and has an innovative ratchet style belt tension system (patent pending), Acme thread in the tailstock, and 24 integrated indexing positions.
- It has an integrated spring-loaded spindle lock, and the controls and DRO are conveniently located.
- The Jet JWL 1221VS wood lathe machine has a wide cast iron construction lathe bed but is on the heavy side for bench mounting. It will fit a wood piece up to 12 inches wide and 21 inches long but a bed extension would be needed for anything longer. Turning bowls and other wood pieces is made easy thanks to the powerful motor, spindle speed, and cutting tool.
- Dimension,32.82 x 14.56 x 21.25 inches weight 136.4 pounds, 115V. It has a 5-year warranty but customer service is not the best.
- This machine is a solid good midi lathe, ideal for beginners and experienced woodturners.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. Delta Industrial (Model 46-460) Variable Speed Midi Lathe
- The Delta Industrial midi lathe's powerful 1 horsepower motor produces 1,750RPM giving enough torques and speed to handle highly figured woods and can be slowed down to 250RPM for large creations.
- An electronic variable speed has three-pulley speed ranges providing the required speeds needed to turn a project without changing belt position and minimizes vibration and chatter.
- A six-groove belt provides superior power for effortless turning on large objects. The Delta has a large 12-½ inch swing capacity, drive spindle 1 inch - 8 RH TPI thread. The indexing pin locks the headstock spindle in 24 different locations ideal for fluting and other decorative woodturning applications.
- For maximum power transfer and longer tool life it has a patented belt tensioning system allowing easy and quick speed changes and sets the belt at the correct tension. The forward and reverse functions allow the turner to rotate the turn piece in both directions at the flip of a switch.
- The Delta construction is cast iron making it durable and stable and includes a chrome 3-inch face plate, 6-inch and 10-inch tool rests, tool rest base, knockout bar, onboard storage for easy access to adjustment tools, ball-bearing live center, wrenches, and user manual.
- Dimensions: 36 x 11 x 17.75 inches, weight 97 pounds. It has a five-year warranty.
- The Delta Industrial has no digital readout, a short center-to-center distance, and requires a bed extension for pieces longer than 16 inches.
- The Delta is a strong, sturdy machine giving fast, smooth results and a variable speed for consistency and control, making it ideal for the professional and experienced woodturner.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. RIKON Power Tools Mini Lathe
- The Rikon lathe has a 1/2 horsepower motor providing ample power for all turning needs. The lathe has a self ejecting tailstock and easy access to speed change with a 10-inch swing and 18 inches between centers.
- The construction is cast iron and has a 5-speed range covering the bases for boring barrel holes, roughing out pen billets, and turning to shape and finishing.
- Included are a live center, 6-inch tool rest, knock-out bar, wrenches, and user manual.
- Carving tools are not included and to expand the lathes capabilities a face plate 1-8 thread, spindle chuck and drill chuck would be an advantage. It has a short center-to-center distance of 16 inches so an extension bed would be required for pieces longer.
- Dimensions: 35.5 x 10.5 x 14.75 inches, weight 74 pounds, 120V, 375W. It has a 5-year warranty. Rikon has produced a good basic mini lathe at a reasonable price.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
See Full Range on Amazon
Video: How To Turn Wood on a Lathe
Buying a Wood Lathe – Buyers Guide
Factors to Consider When Buying a Wood Lathe:
Budget
One thing about wood lathes is that they come at a higher price range than other woodworking tools. Most full-sized options tend to carry a heftier price tag, which is why you need to set your price range not to overspend. Low-cost wood lathes fall between 200 – 400 dollars, mid-range lathes cost between $400 and $800, with high-end models demanding thousands of dollars. If you are just a hobbyist learning the basics, a low-cost option is ideal for you.
But for a pro-level with a workshop for home and commercial use, a mid-range option could suffice. For woodworkers who need a wood lather for commercial use, a high-end option is what you need.
Type of Lathe
There are two main categories of wood lathes – mini wood lathe and full-sized. A mini wood lathe is more portable with a bench-top design that’s lighter. While a full-sized woodworking lathe takes more space, they are more stable and sturdier with a more center-to-center distance and swing. It’s essential to consider your space and woodworking project to decide which one to go for.
Type of work
Woodworkers are engaged in different kinds of woodworking projects. Generally, smaller ones are ideal for smaller pieces, but the bigger ones can do OK there if you want to work on more oversized items.
You need to ascertain your particular use and then find a wood lathe that works best for you. First, determine the maximum thickness of your wood to know the swing over tool rest and bed. For those dealing with smaller pieces, a midi lathe is enough. Then, consider the maximum length of the wood to know the center-to-center distance. Of course, if you plan to work on more significant projects in the future, you need to get a powerful machine with a bigger center-to-center and swing capacities.
Required Lathe speed
There is an unspoken rule of thumb regarding the speed of a wood lathe: when you multiply the RPM with the thickness of the stock, a good unit should have a figure between 6000 and 9000. The higher the RPM, the finer the cuts. It all depends on the size of the stock you intend to turn. Turning a 4-inch stock, for instance, would need speeds of between 1500 rpm and 2250 rpm. For ultimate woodturning control, opt for a variable speed wood lathe.
Safety
As with any woodworking equipment, it’s crucial to consider the safety of the wood lathe you choose. Wood lathes are notorious for inflicting hazards on operators, especially when placing the tool on a fast-moving stock. A wood lathe must come with in-built tool rests and faceplates for safety.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Technical Factors
Motor Power
Motors can range from 1/8 horsepower to 3HP with speed variables ranging from 500-4000 RPM or more. The size of the engine determines the size of the piece it can turn. The higher the HP power rating, the faster it will rotate even under a large load. Keep in mind that the more influential the motor is, the higher the power consumption.
Power Supply
Does your power socket match the supply characteristics of the wood lathe? To know, pay attention to the voltage, phase, and full-load current. This will help you choose the best wood lathe that matches those characteristics.
Swing over bed
This value indicates the thickness of the stock the machine can turn without hitting the tool rest. If you work on items such as bowls, then this specification is essential for you.
Swing over tool rest
While the swing over bed determines the diameter for the bowl, the tool rest determines the diameter for spindle turning. A tool rest minimizes errors by providing you with a surface to balance the tool. Ensure that it’s adjustable to different positions and should be lockable to a place for precision and stability.
Center-to-center distance
This value stands for the maximum length of the stock you can turn when spindle turning. Choose a model with a more considerable distance between centers than what you need so that you won’t have to buy another one when you require a larger space.
Headstock speed
The headstock is designed for a variety of accessories, e.g., chucks. Ensure that the thread in a unit is standard to fit different threaded accessories as you upgrade your wood lathe. The speed of the headstock may range from discrete values to ranges.
Tailstock characteristics
The tailstock is a rotating pin located on the end of a wood lathe that keeps the spindle centered and rotating evenly. According to the Morse Taper scale, tailstock characteristics show the data regarding tailstock whole diameter and quill travel.
Material
We mean the material used to make all significant parts like the bed, tool rest, headstock, and tailstock. Most wood lathe models are constructed using stainless steel and cast iron.
Dimension and weight
Your choice of wood lathes depends mainly on the space you have. Measure the length, width, and height to ensure you love clearances for convenience and safety. Weight is a consideration if you intend to move from place to place. Heavy machines tend to be quiet with a better turning precision.
Spindle
It indicates data regarding the bore diameter and thread per inch.
Conclusion
Buying a wood lathe can be daunting as there is a lot to consider! We’re conscious we have given you a lot of information, which we have tried to condense into bite-sized pieces. The Grizzly Industrial G0462 won our Best Overall award. It has a ton of features and is ideal for experienced and professional woodturners. It’s made to last and is built by a skilled toolmaker.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Our Best Value pick is WEN 3421. This lathe is a perfect starter lathe and for precision woodturning of small pieces, such as cups, bowls, and chess pieces.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Prices for wood lathes vary, and you will see a lot of models at every price point. Therefore, you cannot solely rely on price as a factor when buying. Our advice is to read our buyer’s guide and establish what features you need and then seek out the right model, within your budget.
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Here are Our Top Picks for Mini Metal Lathes:
CLICK on any image below to see Ratings and Reviews on Amazon
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | BestEquip Metal Lathe 8x16” | Check Price | 4.9 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | Mophorn 7x12 Upgraded Version Metal Lathe | Check Price | 4.7 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | TECHTONGDA Brushless Motor Precision Mini Metal Lathe | Check Price | 4.4 / 5 |
  | Shop Fox M1015 | Check Price | 4.3 / 5 |
  | Erie Tools 7 x 14 Precision | Check Price | 4.3 / 5 |
When I’m not testing and reviewing tools, you’ll find me in front of a hot BBQ, cold drink in hand, cooking up something big, and spending quality time with my wife and two boys. I’m also often found in my workshop working on my next project!
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