Photo: popularwoodworking.com
If you are into wood turning or are thinking of getting into it as a hobby or professionally, you need to have the best wood lathe as it is one of the most useful tools for the trade.
The wood lathe comes in handy when making everything from table legs to pens and bowls as it will help spin the stock as you use turning bits to remove material to get to your desired shape.
Like any other woodworking tool, wood lathes will come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, power, and swing over bed options. And to help you find one that will give you great service, here we look at 10 top-rated wood lathe models.
In this post:
- 10 Best Wood Lathes – Review
- 1. Jet JWL-1221VS – Best Overall Wood Lathe
- 2. Shop Fox W1704 – Best Budget Wood Lathe
- 3. Jet JWL-1015 – Best Wood Lathe for Beginners
- 4. Jet JWL-1440VSK – Best Wood Lathe Brand
- 5. Delta Industrial 46-460 – Best Midi Wood Lathe
- 6. Rikon 70-100 – Best Mini Wood Lathe
- 7. Powermatic 1352001 – Most Powerful and Versatile Wood Lathe
- 8. Grizzly Industrial H8259 – Reliable Benchtop Wood Lathe
- 9. Wen 3427 – Multidirectional Wood Lathe
- 10. Nova 71118 – Space-Saving and Flexible Midi Wood Lathe
- How to Buy the Best Wood Lathe
- Conclusion
10 Best Wood Lathes – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Jet JWL-1221VS (Best Overall) |
| |
 | 2. Shop Fox W1704 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 3. Jet JWL-1015 (Best for Beginners) |
| |
 | 4. Jet JWL-1440VSK (Best Brand) |
| |
 | 5. Delta Industrial 46-460 (Best Midi Lathe) |
| |
 | 6. Rikon 70-100 (Best Mini Lathe) |
| |
 | 7. Powermatic 1352001 (Most Powerful & Versatile) |
| |
 | 8. Grizzly Industrial H8259 (Reliable Benchtop Lathe) |
| |
 | 9. Wen 3427 (Multidirectional Lathe) |
| |
 | 10. Nova 71118 (Space-Saving & Flexible Midi Lathe) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Jet JWL-1221VS (Best Overall)
|
2. Shop Fox W1704 (Best Budget)
|
3. Jet JWL-1015 (Best for Beginners)
|
4. Jet JWL-1440VSK (Best Brand)
|
5. Delta Industrial 46-460 (Best Midi Lathe)
|
6. Rikon 70-100 (Best Mini Lathe)
|
7. Powermatic 1352001 (Most Powerful & Versatile)
|
8. Grizzly Industrial H8259 (Reliable Benchtop Lathe)
|
9. Wen 3427 (Multidirectional Lathe)
|
10. Nova 71118 (Space-Saving & Flexible Midi Lathe)
|
1. Jet JWL-1221VS – Best Overall Wood Lathe
Photo: Jet
- Power: 1 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 12-1/2-inch
- Speed Range: 60 to 3,600 RPM
The unrivaled speed control and the fact that the JET JWL-1221VS gives you a wider speed range of between 60 and 3,600 RPM are what makes this out the best overall model. With the wider speed range, this wood lathe will handle almost any stocks.
Also, with the powerful 1 horsepower motor, it has more than enough power for reliable performance. Better yet, the 12-1/2-inch swing over bed means that for most DIYers and professional wood turners, it will have more than enough capacity.
Another thing that makes this one of the best wood lathes out there is the ratchet-style belt tensions system. This innovative system will ensure an excellent transfer of power and also enhances the overall performance.
Transitioning from forward to reverse is smooth enough to ensure you get the best finish. And with the conveniently located controls, this will be an easy wood lathe to operate.
Quality control seems to be lacking for this wood as many products seem to have minor issues such as mounting holes not being drilled properly. But this should not be a deal-breaker as it does not take anything from the fact that this is one of the best-performing wood lathes out there.
Pros:
- Superior speed control
- Wider speed range
- Excellent power transfer
- Easy to operate
- Powerful enough and with decent capacity
Cons:
- Poor quality control
2. Shop Fox W1704 – Best Budget Wood Lathe
Photo: Shop Fox
- Power: 1/3 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 8-inch
- Speed Range: 700 to 3,200 RPM
Being the cheapest on our wood lathe review, the Shop Fox W1704 is what we recommend for any wood turner shopping for something more affordable that still does a fantastic job and is quite versatile.
However, what makes this one of the best wood lathes for the money is the infinitely variable speed and 13-inch distance between centers as this means it can handle a wide variety of projects. To make it even more versatile, it comes with two tools rests which are 4-1/2 and 7-inch.
Also, this is a well-built wood lathe made with heavy-duty cast-iron material for maximum durability. It is safe and easy to operate with a safety paddle switch.
The 8-inch swing over bed means that this wood lathe will have a smaller turning capacity, and the 700 RPM low speed is still not low enough. However, both are still good enough for small turning projects and pen turning.
Pros:
- Relatively more affordable
- Comes with two tool rest sizes
- Infinitely variable speed
- Heavy-duty and durable build
- Safer and easier operation
Cons:
- Smaller capacity
- Not low enough speed
3. Jet JWL-1015 – Best Wood Lathe for Beginners
Photo: Jet
- Power: 1/2 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 10-inch
- Speed Range: 500 to 3,975 RPM
The user-friendly design of the Jet JWL-1015 makes it the best wood lathe for beginners on our list as novice users will have an easy time figuring it out. But, this 10-inch wood lathe can work for professionals as it is still a full-features mini wood lathe model.
Also, the mini size means that it will be more compact for easy portability and take up less room on your workshop. With the 6 different speed options, this is quite a versatile model that will be handy for different jobs.
The wider bed ways make this a more rigid and stable lathe while the improved tensioning system will help enhance the overall performance. Many users will love that it has 24 position indexing as this enhances its functionality.
Because you will need to first shut down this wood lathe to adjust the RPM, changing the speeds can be a little tedious but once you get used to it, things become easier and quicker for you. The 1/2 horsepower might also not be very powerful, but it is still enough for most wood turning projects.
Pros:
- User-friendly design for beginners
- Provides 6 different speed options
- More rigid and stable
- Reliable tensioning system
- Highly portable design
Cons:
- RPM adjustment can be a little tedious
- Not a very powerful motor
4. Jet JWL-1440VSK – Best Wood Lathe Brand
Photo: Jet
- Power: 1 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 14-1/2-inch
- Speed Range: 400 to 3000 RPM
Besides being one of the best wood lathe brand, Jet is famous for making power tools that accommodate all kinds of users by being budget-friendly and easy to use. And they have been doing this for more than 50 years now. Their Jet JWL-1440VSK will be a perfect choice for anyone looking for a reliable wood lathe.
This model has been designed with a 360-degree headstock pivot, with 7 positive locking positions to ensure maximum variability and make the tool more comfortable to use.
The easy to read and easily adjustable RPM makes it easy to fine-tune the speed to go with the projects. With the redesigned clamping, you will not have any problem holding the stock in place when turning.
There is an optional extension bed with 3 mount positions to allow it to accommodate larger stocks and improved tail stock quill locking that will be very handy when wood turning.
Because the speed does not go low enough, this wood late might not be very useful for certain project types. But, the 400 RPM the lowest speed setting is still very accommodating for most wood turning projects.
Pros:
- Versatile for a wide variety of projects
- Easy to read and adjust the speed
- Multiple positive locking positions
- Extendable bed to accommodate larger stock
- Secure and easy to use clamping
Cons:
- Speed does not go low enough
5. Delta Industrial 46-460 – Best Midi Wood Lathe
Photo: Delta Industrial
- Power: 1 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 12-1/2-inch
- Speed Range: 250 to 1,750 RPM
For a midi wood lathe, the Delta Industrial 46-460 has an excellent capacity, and it will hence be ideal even for heavy-duty wood turning projects. The 12-1/2-inch swing over bed capacity means that you can use this lathe to turn larger stock effectively.
This wood lathe has a more powerful 1 HP motor to ensure it will have enough power for the turning jobs. Besides having a wide enough speed range of between 250 and 1,750 RPM, this wood lathe has forward and reverse functions to ensure you get a smooth finish.
Speed changes will be fast and precise thanks to the patented belt-tension system, which helps to ensure maximum power transfer. This space-saving wood lathe is made to be strong and durable thanks to heavy-duty cast-iron construction.
Although there is no digital speed readout on this wood lathe, getting the speeds that you want is still fairly easy thanks to the nice speed chart.
Pros:
- Large enough capacity for a midi wood lathe
- Strong and durable construction
- Accurate and precise finish
- Quick and easy speed changes
- Smaller, space-saving design
Cons:
- Does not have a digital speed readout
6. Rikon 70-100 – Best Mini Wood Lathe
Photo: RIKON Power Tools
- Power: 1/2 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 12-inch
- Speed Range: 430 to 3,900 RPM
For a mini wood lathe, the Rikon 70-100 has one of the largest capacities, and it will hence be ideal for a wide variety of projects including those meant for midi and full-size models, which is what makes it our best mini wood lathe.
This wood lathe seems to have an edge over others when it comes to the speed changes. It has an easy-access speed change feature that will allow you to choose from 6-speed options between 430 and 3,700 RPM.
Turning stock on this lathe is also guaranteed to be easy and time-saving as it will include a self-ejecting tail stock that will eliminate the need for a knock-out bar. With the 12-position indexing head, you can lock the stock in multiple positions to ensure maximum accuracy.
Wood turners will love that this lathe will run without producing a lot of noise, and it will provide a vibration-free operation.
The protective cover for the headstock and belts does not close securely enough. However, this does not affect the operation of the lathe and hence not a big concern. Also, some buyers complain about the packaging and handling, but this does not affect the performance of the lathe.
Pros:
- Larger capacity for a mini model
- Quick and easy speed change
- Time save self-ejection tail stock
- User-friendly and convenient design
- Quiet running with no vibrations
Cons:
- Headstock cover does not close securely
- Poor packaging and handling
7. Powermatic 1352001 – Most Powerful and Versatile Wood Lathe
Photo: Powermatic
- Power: 2 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 20-inch
With the 2 horsepower motor, the Powermatic 1352001 is the most powerful model on our wood lathe review. Also, this wood lathe is designed for versatility as its larger 20-inch swing over bed can accommodate larger stock to allow it to handle a wide variety of DIY and professional wood turning jobs.
This wood lathe has a digital RPM readout that will make it easy to keep track of the speed and allow you to choose your preferred speed precisely. And this is a well-built model with heavy-duty cast iron construction for longer service life.
There is a cleverly designed headstock that will ensure adjustments are quick and easy. When you buy this lathe, you will get a complete set of accessories that will include tool rest, face plate, guard, and wrench.
When you compare this wood lathe to other models on our list, it is a little expensive, but for a full-size model that delivers an industrial performance, it is worth every buck. Also, this wood lathe seems a little too heavy, but you can always bolt it down to keep it stable and secure.
Pros:
- More powerful motor
- Versatile for DIY and professional use
- Well-built with heavy-duty materials
- Comes complete with accessories
- Easy and precise speed control
Cons:
- Relatively pricier
- A little top-heavy
8. Grizzly Industrial H8259 – Reliable Benchtop Wood Lathe
Photo: Grizzly Industrial
- Power: 1/2 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 10-inch
- Speed Range: 826 to 3,337 RPM
For a benchtop wood lathe model, the Grizzly Industrial H8259 is as sturdy as it gets, and it will hence be a highly reliable model for your small wood turning projects. Whether you are turning pens or bowls, this will be a very handy wood lathe for you.
With the heavy-duty cast iron construction, this lathe has been designed to not only be highly durable but also stable enough to ensure it will not move or tip over when turning stick.
Its 18-inch between centers distance is above average for a benchtop wood lathe, and with the 10-inch swing over bed, it will be able to handle decent stock sizes to make it more versatile.
This wood lathe will run more quietly and without producing too much vibration. It will include adjustable leveling feet and nice tool rest to allow you to fine-tune it to your specific requirements.
The 1/2 horsepower motor is not very powerful, but for benchtop models and the typical jobs this wood lathe will handle, this should still be more than enough.
Pros:
- Sturdy and reliable design
- Heavy-duty material
- Above-average distance between centers
- Runs quietly and with no vibrations
- Easy to adjust to fit your needs
Cons:
- Less powerful motor
9. Wen 3427 – Multidirectional Wood Lathe
Photo: Wen
- Power: 4.5 Amp
- Swing Over Bed: 12-inch
- Speed Range: 500 to 2500 RPM
The multidirectional Wen 3427 is designed to ensure you get smooth and clean finishes, and to make working on different stocks more effortless. You can easily move from forward to reverse by flipping a switch, and the transition will be smooth enough.
There is an easy to read digital display on this wood lathe that will make it easy to choose your preferred speed easily and keep track of it when turning. And with the inclusion of MT2 spindle and tail stock taper, you can grip the workpieces tightly.
This lathe makes use of a special lever clamping system that will make the tail stock and tool rest easy to adjust.
While the 4.5-amp motor is a bit lacking in power when you compare it to others on our list, for simple DIY and hobbyists tasks such as making table legs and pens, it is still up to the job.
Pros:
- Simple forward to reverse direction change
- Precise and easy read speed display
- Grips workpieces tightly
- Easy tool rest and tailstock adjustment
Cons:
- Motor is not very powerful
10. Nova 71118 – Space-Saving and Flexible Midi Wood Lathe
Photo: Nova
- Power: 3/4 HP
- Swing Over Bed: 12-inch
- Speed Range: 250 to 4,000 RPM
Nova 71118 is a more compact and space-saving wood lathe that will hardly take up any significant space in your workshop, and it is designed to be highly portable for use from different places.
But what truly makes this an amazing tool is its flexibility. It will include a 3-step pulley system and a reverse and forward switch to ensure maximum flexibility. Also, the reverse and forward switch will help ensure you get a smooth finish.
With the digital display, you can easily dial in your preferred speed and keep track of it when turning stock. And with a speed range of between 250 and 4,000 RPM, this wood lathe will give you both super high and super low speeds for a wide variety of projects.
The tool rest on this wood lathe needs some improvement as it does not work very well with some turning tools, but the good news is that you can easily and cheaply replace it with a better one.
Pros:
- More space-saving size
- Superior finish with forward and reverse switch
- Quick and easy speed dial in
- Flexible pulley system
- Super high and low speeds
Cons:
- Tool rest needs improvement
How to Buy the Best Wood Lathe
Photo: Jet
1. Benchtop or Floor Wood Lathe
As you pick out a wood lathe, one of the first decisions that you will need to make is whether to go for the benchtop or floor types. Here, how you intend to use the wood lathe and the space that you have should guide you.
The benchtop models, just as the name suggests, are those that are designed to be placed on a workbench or table, and they are typically smaller and more portable models.
Benchtop wood lathes like Jet JWL-1221VS are more space-saving, but they will usually have a smaller swing over bed size, and hence a smaller capacity.
The floor-standing wood lathes like Jet JWL-1440VSK have a built-in stand and will hence not require you to place them on a bench or table. Most of these types are more powerful and with a larger capacity, but they tend to be relatively more expensive.
2. Size
Besides deciding whether to go for the benchtop or floor wood lathe, you need to decide which size to buy. This decision is vital, and you will need to be keen enough as it determines the capacity you get. And here you get to choose between mini, midi, mid-size and industrial size.
Mini
The mini wood lathes are the smallest of the lot. These are almost always benchtop wood lathes that will have a swing over bed of 10-inches or even a little smaller than this. Mini lathes like Rikon 70-100 are perfect for hobbyists and DIY projects like turning pens.
Read More: The Best Mini Lathes
Midi
Midi wood lathes like Delta Industrial 46-460 can handle relatively larger projects than the mini types as they will have a swing over bed of at least 12 inches. However, these are still mostly for DIY projects that do not involve large stocks.
Full-size
With the full-size wood lathes, you get a larger machine that can handle larger projects with ease. These wood lathes will be either benchtop or floor standing and can have a swing over bed of up to 20 inches. Full-size lathes will be perfect for more professional use in a workshop as they can handle larger projects such as turning table legs.
Industrial
Industrial wood lathes are the largest of the four types are they are mostly used in an industrial setting where a lot of wood turning is done and different kinds of stock are used. These models will have larger and more powerful motors and will have a swing over bed of over 20 inches. They are typically floor wood lathes, and they are also the most expensive.
3. Power
Once you decide on the type and size of the wood lathe that you want, it is important to make sure that it will also be powerful enough to handle your wood turning jobs.
The good news is that there is a wide variety of power options for these tools as typical ones will have a motor that provides anything from 1/8 to 2 HP or slightly larger than this.
Here you need to consider your projects, but the more powerful the model is the better it will be for you. But, in many instances, you will hardly need anything more than 1 HP.
4. Speed
You will need different speeds for different kinds of wood turning projects, and so when choosing a wood lathe, the best model for you is one that will give you a wide speed range.
You need a wood lathe that can give you both high and low enough speeds. Better yet, if you know the projects that you will be handling with the wood lathe, you should make sure the speed you get from the lathe will be appropriate for these projects.
Some models like Jet JWL-1221VS can go as low as 60 RPM. But, in many instances, you will need to spin the stock at high speeds and so for the top speed you should aim to get at least 1,500 RPM.
5. Swing Over Bed
The swing over bed will determine the size of the stock that you can be able to turn on your wood lathe, and so any model that you choose should be able to handle the typical stock sizes that you deal with often.
For most DIY wood turners that will typically use their wood lathes to turn smaller stock pieces like bowls and pens, the 10 and 12-inch swing over beds are often more than enough. These are also the most popular sizes as they are quite handy for various other projects.
But, if you are looking for a model that can handle both small and large stocks, then a swing over bed of between 14 and 20 inches will be more appropriate.
6. Material
Like any other woodworking tool, you cannot overlook the material used to make the wood lathe as you shop for a good model as it will determine how well it will serve you and also the durability.
Here cast iron is the most commonly used material as it is heavy-duty enough to withstand the abuse that comes with wood turning. Also cast iron is heavy enough to ensure the wood lathe will remain steady on any surface when in use.
The best wood lathe should also have accessories made from high-quality materials. Hence, you need to make sure that things like the tool rest, face plate, and guard are made from heavy-duty materials.
7. Budget
Wood lathes will come in different price ranges depending on the type, size, and other factors like the brand and features. Hence, you can be confident that there is something out there that will suit your budget.
Starting prices for the low-cost models will be $200, while the mid-price ones will retail for between $400 and $1,000. The high end and industrial models will go for thousands of dollars depending on the size and features.
Hence, you need to come up with a budget and then look for a model that suits your needs within that budget. And to ensure you get good value for your money, it will be wise to go for something that comes with all the accessories.
Conclusion
A good wood lathe is a must-have if you are into wood turning, but finding it should be a breeze as this piece provides all the information you need.
While the best wood lathe for you will depend on your specific projects, the Jet JWL-1221VS is our best overall mostly thanks to the wider speed range and handy reverse and forward function.
However, for those looking to spend the least amount of money, the Shop Fox W1704 will be an excellent pick. Despite being affordable, this wood lathe has a heavy-duty cast iron build and comes with two tools rests.