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So you’re looking for a new wood lathe. There are so many options to choose from. Which one is truly the best?
Nobody has the time to test out every lathe. Including me! So I am pooling years of experience and research to help discover the best lathe for you. You could read the whole article… but if you’re short on time I created a personalized quiz to give you the answer right away. Here it is!
Last update on 2025-02-28 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Table of Contents
- Best Full-Size Wood Lathes
- Best Midi Wood Lathes
- Best Mini Wood Lathes
- Best Wood Lathes FAQs
- Best Wood Lathes Final Thoughts
Best Full-Size Wood Lathes
I always suggest turners select a lathe you can grow with. More often than not I see turners who expand their skills and outgrow their lathe after a while and want to upgrade to a bigger one. It doesn’t get bigger than full-sized lathes. Here are two of the best full-size wood lathes available right now.
Last update on 2025-02-28 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Overall Best Full-Size Wood Lathe: Powermatic 3520C
- 20″ swing and 35-1/2″ between centers
- Motor: 2 HP, 220V, single phase
- Tool rest swing- 15-3/4″
- Spindle speeds: low range 15-1200 RPM; high range 40-3200 RPM
- Outboard capacity: 38″
- Spindle taper: #2MT
- Spindle thread: 1-1/4″ x 8 TPI
- Weight: 726 lbs
- Warranty: 5 years
The Powermatic 3520C is a legend among woodturners. An upgrade of the classic 3520A and 3520B, this lathe combines craftsmanship and innovation. With features like an Acme-threaded quill feed, redesigned cast-iron legs, and a magnetic movable control box, it’s a powerhouse that’s as user-friendly as it is robust.
Why It’s Great
The Powermatic lathe offers heavyweight stability, weighing in at 726 lbs to minimize vibrations and ensure smoother, more precise turns. It also prioritizes safety and convenience with a magnetic control box, allowing for easy adjustments without the need to reach around large workpieces. Additionally, its exceptional resale value reflects its high quality; even after 10 years of use, many owners have managed to sell their Powermatics for nearly 90% of the original purchase price, making the upfront investment more justifiable.
If you’re serious about woodturning and can afford it, the Powermatic 3520C is a solid investment that will last for decades.
Best Budget-Friendly Full-Size Wood Lathe: Jet JWL-1440VSK
- 14-1/2″ swing and 40″ between the centers
- Motor: 1 HP, 115/230V, 1 phase
- RPM: 400-3000 Variable
- Sliding Headstock
- Acme threaded tailstock
- Indexing Position: 36
- Outboard Turning: Yes
- Spindle taper: #2MT
- Spindle thread: 1” X 8 TPI RH
- Swing over tool rest: 11”
- Tool Rest: 14″
- Weight 400 lbs
- Warranty: 5 year
This full-sized wood lathe is a bit more budget-friendly than the Powermatic 3520C. It is also incredibly versatile. Versatility is a standout feature in any lathe machine, especially a wood lathe. The ability to handle diverse materials is what elevates a good tool to greatness.
This lathe has been rigorously tested by David Heim over at Fine Woodworking, pushing it to its limits to assess torque and resistance at low speeds. Impressively, it took significant effort to stall the motor. The energy distribution across the lathe ensures a reliable performance and a smooth working experience.
This lathe strikes a balance between size and functionality—it’s larger than a midi lathe but smaller than most commercial wood lathes. It’s powerful, user-friendly, and capable of handling both large and small woodturning projects. Its 5-star reviews from fellow woodturners speak volumes about its quality and performance.
Why It’s Great
The Jet 1440VSK lathe is packed with features that enhance flexibility and performance. Its outboard turning option allows for greater versatility in your projects, while the 1 HP variable speed motor effortlessly handles imbalanced wood, maintaining steady and reliable performance. With 36 indexing positions, it offers exceptional precision for intricate designs. The sliding headstock adds to its convenience and accessibility, making it easier to work on various projects. Additionally, the 14-inch tool rest is a standout feature, providing ample coverage for large areas and minimizing the need for frequent repositioning during long or thick spindle work.
For even more on this machine, check out my Jet JWL-1440VSK review.
Best Midi Wood Lathes
If the heavyweight lathes aforementioned are something you are not ready for yet, check out these powerful midi lathes. Full-sized lathes are great but midi lathes are more handy and convenient to use. That is why so many professionals use midi lathes as their primary lathe machine.
While some midi lathes have similar specs to some of the larger lathes, be sure that the lathe you choose has the weight and power to handle your project load. That means don’t push it too far.
If you want to learn more about midi lathes in detail, check out:
Last update on 2025-02-28 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Overall Best Midi Wood Lathe: Jet JWL 1221VS
- 12″ swing and 20-1/2″ between centers
- 1 HP, 115V, Recommended Circuit Size (Amps.)10
- Spindle Taper: MT2
- Spindle Bore: 3/8″
- Indexing position: 24
- Spindle Thread: 1″/8 TPI
- 60-3600 RPM variable speed
- Forward to reverse
- Weight: 136.4lbs
- Warranty: 5 years
This dedicated one-horsepower, middleweight wood lathe is my go-to, and it’s hands down the best I’ve used so far. In my opinion, it deserves the top spot among medium-tier lathes of all time.
Jet is a trusted name in woodturning and is widely used in clubs and classrooms across the country for teaching. I’ve had mine for going on ten years now. Larry has one too. It’s featured in all of his project ideas posts.
Why It’s Great
I’m naturally skeptical when it comes to tools and machines, and I always take my time researching before making a purchase. That’s why I can confidently say this lathe is exceptional.
This lathe stands out with its impressive torque at low RPM, delivering smooth and stable performance even at the slowest speed of 60 RPM, making it ideal for handling unbalanced chunks. The variable speed control adds versatility, allowing users to tackle a wide range of projects with ease. Its user-friendly control panel, conveniently positioned on the right side, simplifies operation. Additionally, the extra weight compared to other midi lathes in its price range enhances stability and overall performance, ensuring a reliable and satisfying woodworking experience.
There’s already a lot of buzz about this lathe, so I won’t dive into the same details here. Instead, I encourage you to check out our best midi lathes guide for an in-depth review.
In short, if you’re planning to get a midi lathe, the Jet JWL 1221VS is a decision you won’t regret. It’s a reliable, worthwhile investment for any woodworking enthusiast.
The Runner-Up Midi Wood Lathe: Delta 46-460
- 12.5″ swing and 16.5″ between centers
- 1-HP, 1-Phase, 120V, 60-Hz, 1725 rpm motor
- Speed: 250-700, 600-1,800 and 1,350-4,000-RPM
- Electronic variable
- Head and Tailstock Taper: #2 MT
- Drive spindle: 1 inch -8 RH TPI thread
- Forward and Reverse
- Weight: 97 lbs
- Warranty: 5 years
Let me introduce you to the Delta 46-460 Midi Wood Lathe by Delta Machinery—a standout name in the world of midi lathes and one of the most recognized in the industry.
Delta has a long-standing reputation for excellence in midi lathes, and the 46-460 is their most popular model. It’s not just hype; this lathe delivers exceptional performance and quality.
Why It’s Great
This midi wood lathe boasts a powerful one-horsepower motor with variable speed and a durable cast-iron construction. It’s a classic example of superior craftsmanship in the industry. While the previous version featured a ¾ HP motor, Delta upgraded to a full 1 HP to keep pace with competitors, ensuring it remains a top choice for woodturners.
For those looking for a budget-friendly investment, the Delta 46-460 offers incredible value. It’s priced lower than the Jet 1221VS while providing nearly the same capabilities. This makes it a gem for many woodturners seeking performance without breaking the bank.
For more on this great midi lathe, check out our best midi lathes review guide for an in-depth review.
Best Budget-Friendly Midi Wood Lathe: Grizzly T25920
- 12″ swing and 18″ between centers
- Motor: 3/4 HP, 110V, single-phase, 5.3A
- Speed: 650- 3800 RPM
- Variable speed
- Swing over tool rest base: 9-1/2″
- 5-7/8″ Tool Rest with 5/8″ Post
- Spindle tapers: #2MT
- Tailstock taper: #2MT
- Spindle thread: 1″ X 8 TPI RH
- Weight: 84 lbs
- Warranty: 1 year
The Grizzly T25920 is an excellent choice for beginners venturing into woodworking. It comes equipped with a reliable and efficient motor that operates at 110 volts, 5.3 amps, on a single-phase.
Why It’s Great
This motor delivers impressive power, enabling the lathe to function at a minimum speed of 650 RPM and reach a maximum of 3800 RPM. Whether you’re tackling small or intricate projects, this lathe provides the energy and consistency needed to bring your ideas to life.
The Grizzly T25920 includes a speed indicator, a live center, and a spur center, along with a 3-1/4 inch faceplate. These features ensure solid performance and give users the control necessary for precise shaping and customization of materials.
A standout quality of any wood lathe is its ability to empower users to shape materials according to their vision. With the Grizzly T25920, you’ll experience impressive control and versatility, making it a dependable tool for a range of woodworking projects.
If you believe this lathe aligns with your needs, it’s definitely worth considering.
Best Mini Wood Lathes
Finally, we have mini wood lathes, specially designed for creating intricate miniatures. While a large wood lathe can handle a wide range of projects, not everyone has the same budget or requirements.
If your focus is on turning smaller items like pens, bottle stoppers, or other miniatures, a mini wood lathe is the perfect choice. These compact machines offer the necessary strength to handle projects within their size range efficiently.
I’ll keep each review brief, but if you’re looking for detailed insights, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on the best mini wood lathes.
Last update on 2025-02-27 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Overall Best Mini Wood Lathe: PSI Turncrafter Commander KWL- 1018VS
- 10” swing X 18” between centers
- Motor: ¾ HP, 110V
- MT2 Headstock and Tailstock Taper
- 1” x8 TPI
- Speeds: 2 position belt Variable speed A (500-2000), B (1500-3600) RPM
- Weight: 84 lbs
- Only Forward
- Warranty: 3 years
While mini lathes aren’t designed for large bowls, you can still accomplish a lot with a 10″ swing and a 3/4 HP motor. Let’s kick off this list with a standout lightweight powerhouse: the Turncrafter Mini Lathe from Penn State Industries.
Why It’s Great
This lathe is so sturdy and capable when it comes to small projects that some enthusiasts even refer to it as a midi lathe. However, its maximum workpiece capacity is about 9 inches, making it a reliable option within the mini wood lathe category when considering its size and performance.
The price might seem steep for a mini lathe, but the 3/4 HP variable-speed motor justifies the investment. While brands like Wen, Rockler, and others offer similar options, none in the 10″ swing range provide variable speed like the Turncrafter. Wen, for instance, offers variable speed but with #1 MT tapers, and Rikon’s 70-105 has five-speed options and #2 MT tapers but lacks the power of the Turncrafter.
Many pen turners swear by the Turncrafter 1018VS for its excellent capacity and durability. If you’re looking for a serious mini lathe, this one ticks all the boxes.
In conclusion, the Turncrafter Commander is a top-notch mini wood lathe for pen turning and more. While my mini lathe is an Excelsior, I must admit that the Turncrafter Commander is a fantastic choice for anyone in need of a high-performing mini lathe.
Best Value for the Money Mini Wood Lathe: WEN 3421
- 8” swing and 12” between centers
- Motor: 3.2 Amp (1/3 HP), 120V
- MT1 Spindle and Tailstock Taper
- 1″ x 8 TPI
- Spindle Speed: Variable speed from 750 – 3200 RPM
- Weight: 45lbs
- Only forward
- Warranty: 2 Years
Here we have the Wen mini lathe, an excellent choice for budget-conscious woodturners. If you’re looking for an affordable, entry-level lathe, this 8″ swing variable-speed mini lathe with a 3.2 Amp motor is hard to beat. It’s ideal for small projects like turning bottle stoppers and pens.
Why It’s Great
Many woodturners I’ve spoken to either bought this model to try their hand at the craft or received it as a gift. It’s a beginner-friendly lathe with some decent potential for those starting out.
Don’t underestimate its value—it’s a step up from the earlier Wen 3420 version, offering variable speed at an impressively low price. While it’s not a powerhouse, Wen doesn’t claim it to be either. Its main purpose is to provide an accessible option for those working within a tight budget.
That said, there are limitations. The motor tends to heat up fairly quickly after a few turns, so it’s important to let it cool down periodically. This is the one significant drawback, but it’s manageable with proper care.
To sum up, while it’s an underpowered wood lathe, it can still deliver good results if you understand its limitations and work within them. It’s a practical and affordable way to get started or keep going in woodturning without breaking the bank. The choice is yours—judge it based on your needs and expectations!
Best Mini Wood Lathe for Beginners: Shop Fox W1704
- 8” swing and 13” between centers
- Motor: 1/3 HP, 4 AMP, 110V
- MT1 headstock and Tailstock Taper
- 3/4-by-16-inch TPI (Buy a 3/4” 16 TPI to 1” 8 TPI adapter.)
- Spindle Speeds: Infinite Variable from 700-3200RPM
- Weight: 41 lbs
- Only forward
- Warranty: 2 years
For the category, it’s among the best-selling lathes of all time, a solid unit among all the other machines. This unit is great for beginners on a budget.
Why it’s great
My friend has this machine and I have turned plenty of acrylic pens and some tiny bangles on it. Compared to similar lathes, this one has way less vibrating. While I’ve heard complaints that the tool rest does not stay in position, I found mine very well-aligned.
The variable speed control was easy to use and convenient, which is something we all want to have nowadays, to get rid of the belt changing pain.
In a nutshell, an excellent choice for beginners, but just to remind you that this is not something a professional would go after.
If you have had the taste of the real lathe, this is not for you because it might not meet your expectations. The motor power won’t satisfy you.
These are absolutely for the people who just started their journey. My recommendation would be to go with the 10”.
Best Budget-Friendly Mini Wood Lathe: Wen 3424T
- 12″ swing and 18″ between centers
- 4.5 Amp, 110V
- Five-speed: 520, 900, 1400, 2150, or 3400 RPM
- Non-variable
- Head and Tailstock Taper: #2 MT
- 1 inch -8 RH TPI thread
- Only forward
- Weight: 70lbs
- Warranty: 2 years
Technically classified as a midi lathe, this model lands in the mini category due to its limitations with bowl turning and larger projects. While it’s not the ideal choice for bowl turning, it serves as a great option for those working within a budget of around $400. Wen consistently offers budget-friendly options for new woodturners, and this model is no exception.
Why It’s Great
The motor, rated at 4.5 amps (slightly more than ½ HP), provides enough power for small projects, but you’ll need to work carefully and avoid pushing the lathe too hard. If you’re considering bowl turning, this isn’t the best choice. However, for turning green wood or well-rounded, pre-shaped blanks, it can handle light bowl projects with caution. Avoid using irregular or heavy blanks to prevent unnecessary strain on the machine.
At 70 lbs., the lathe is sturdy enough for small-scale projects and offers a satisfying experience for spindle work.
In summary, this Wen lathe is a solid option for those focusing on spindle turning or smaller tasks. While it’s not built for heavy-duty work, it delivers reliable performance for the price and can ensure satisfaction when used within its capabilities.
Best Wood Lathes FAQs
What is a good beginner wood lathe?
At first, it is ideal to select a medium-sized lathe. So, if I need to answer this directly, then I would say go for the Jet 1221vs. It’s worth every penny.
You can also check our guide on best beginner wood lathes.
How big of a wood lathe do I need?
It depends on your projects and plans for turning. Is it for home use, semi-commercial, or commercial use? You need to decide that first.
For home or miniatures, you can opt for a half HP mini wood lathe. Midi lathes would allow you to go semi-commercial from home.
But if you have any plans to go commercial, a full-sized lathe is what you need. Watch this video from Woodworkers Journal.
What are the minimum ideal features of a quality wood lathe?
- 12″ swing
- One HP
- Electronic variable speed
- Morse taper 2 headstocks and tailstock
- Common headstock thread (1″x8 in the US)
This gets you a lathe that can do most types of turning and turn decent-sized pieces. You will also be able to buy accessories easily.
For more details, see our wood lathe buying guide. You can also check this quick video from Mr Sam Angelo, that might help.
What is lathe swing?
Above we share that a 12″ swing is a minimum ideal feature of a quality wood lathe. You may be wondering what lathe swing is. If so, check out our post What is Lathe Swing: Clear Definition and How to Measure!
What is a lathe spindle?
Spindle references are made throughout this post. References include spindle speed, spindle taper, spindle thread, and more. To learn more, check out our post What is a Lathe Spindle and How Does It Work?
Should you wear safety gloves when using a wood lathe?
It would be best if you never used gloves while using power tools like lathes, table saws, drill presses, band saws, etc. Wearing gloves around something that’s rotating at a higher speed can cause severe damage.
To me, it’s like working with untied long hair which is extremely dangerous. Please don’t ask me how I know. Check out our guide on lathe safety.
How should I set up my wood lathe after buying it?
I reckon you must have other tools in your home shop, so it is also important that you plan your workshop space before bringing your wood lathe. If it’s a small benchtop, you probably are fine as they won’t need much of a space.
If it’s a larger mini lathe or a midi lathe, you’ll need to purchase a lathe stand to set it up on. Good news – I put together a list of the best lathe stands.
But, if this is something like the Powermatic or Jet 1440, then you’ve got work to do. You can check my guide to get some ideas for your wood lathe setup.
Where to find the user manual sheet?
Please visit the official web page of the manufacturer. Type your lathe’s name, and you can see the specification datasheet or link to that. These links are mostly pdf to download.
Download it and then find the user manual or the specification you are trying to find.
Or try manualslib.com as an alternative.
What lathe chuck should I use for my wood lathe?
You need to check your thread size. Some lathes have 3/4-16 spindles and some are 1″-8 but, nowadays it’s usually by the size of the lathe. A 10″ lathe or smaller usually has a 3/4-16 spindle, and lathes 12″ to about 16″ usually have 1″-8 spindles and anything bigger usually has 1-1/4″-8 spindle. You can also check out our best wood lathe chuck guide.
Best Wood Lathe Final Thoughts
That wraps it up! I hope this guide helps you decide which wood lathe aligns best with your space, plans, and projects.
The wood lathes I’ve recommended here are trusted by countless woodturners and come from reputable brands known for providing reliable customer support. If any issues arise during the warranty period, don’t hesitate to reach out to the manufacturer for assistance.
Keep in mind that a lathe is just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll also need additional parts, supplies, and woodturning tools to make the most of your projects. And, of course, selecting the right wood is key—check out this article on the best woods for turning.
It’s perfectly fine to be cautious before making a purchase. Plan wisely and stick to your budget.
If I’ve overlooked any noteworthy wood lathes, feel free to let me know—I’ll be happy to update the list!
Turn Big, Turn Safe. Welcome to the turning world!