Disclaimer: As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.
There is a large community of beginner woodturners and no matter the experience, we all share this common ground. I also struggled to choose the opening wood lathe that could grow with me on my woodturning journey.
As my skills improved, I felt it was time to upgrade my lathe to a more powerful one from the underpowered, half-HP motor I started with.
So, it’s good to have a wood lathe with adequate HP, weight, and a good swing capacity. It should be within the set budget and I think a great resale value is important as well.
But, as there are a plethora of options in the market, it can get tricky to find a machine that’s not just high quality, but the best wood lathe for the money.
So I made this compact list of the best beginner wood lathes so you can start your woodturning projects easily without wasting money on inferior machinery.
To keep things simple, I’ve excluded lathe mill combos from this review.
Let’s start with a quick chart, and then dive in.
Last update on 2025-02-21 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Beginner Wood Lathes Table of Contents
- Best Beginner Wood Lathes Ranked
- Overall Best Beginner Wood Lathe: Jet JWL 1221VS
- Best Beginner Wood Lathe Runner-Up: Delta 46-460
- Best Beginner Budget-Friendly Midi Wood Lathe: Grizzly T25920
- Best Beginner Mini Wood Lathe: Shop Fox W1704
- Best Beginner Budget-Friendly Mini Wood Lathe: WEN LA3421 Variable Speed
- Best Beginner Full-Size Wood Lathe: Jet JWL-1440VSK
- Best Beginner Wood Lathe FAQs
- Best Beginner Wood Lathes Final Thoughts
Best Beginner Wood Lathes Ranked
Let’s start with the wood lathes taking over the market for ages due to their qualities and sturdiness. Therefore, thousands of turners have given them credibility for maintaining the excellence of their quality to date.
Now without further intro, let’s jump over to see the possible best starter wood lathe for beginners.
Overall Best Beginner 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, mid-sized wood lathe is my go-to choice, and it’s without a doubt the best I’ve used so far. In my opinion, it ranks at the top among medium-tier lathes of all time.
Jet is a well-respected name in woodturning. Their machines are commonly found in clubs and classrooms nationwide for teaching. I’ve had mine for ten years now, and Larry has one as well—it was his starter lathe a few years back. You’ll find it featured in all of his project idea posts.
Why It’s Great
I always research thoroughly before buying tools and I know Larry does, too. We both think that the Jet JWL 1221VS is an outstanding beginner wood lathe. It offers excellent torque at low RPM, smooth performance even at 60 RPM, and a user-friendly control panel. Its variable speed control adds versatility, while the extra weight enhances stability compared to other midi lathes in its price range. Be sure to check out our Best Midi Lathes Review guide for a full review. This lathe is also ranked #1 in our Best Wood Lathe guide. In short, if you’re looking for a reliable beginner lathe, this one is a smart investment. It offers project versatility and can grow with you as your skills grow.
Best Wood Lathe for Beginners Runner-Up: 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
Delta has a history as the pioneer of midi lathes since the early ’90s. The Delta 46-460 is a strong alternative to the Jet 1221VS, offering similar performance at a more competitive price.
Why It’s Great
It runs quieter, making it ideal for small shops. With a 1 HP motor (compared to Jet’s ¾ HP), it provides smooth, quiet operation in both forward and reverse. If you put them on the same bench, Delta sits about two inches taller, which is a plus for cleaning the chips off the motor. While both are excellent choices, I ultimately sold my Delta 46-460 to a club member and then chose the Jet 1221VS for its extra 50 lbs of weight. But I didn’t notice much of a difference between the two. Check out our Best Midi Lathes Review guide for a full review. Be sure to compare features and choose what best fits your needs.
Best Beginner 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 a fantastic option for beginners stepping into woodworking. It features a dependable and efficient motor, running at 110 volts and 5.3 amps on a single phase.
Why It’s Great
The Grizzly T25920 offers impressive power, with speeds ranging from 650 to 3800 RPM, making it suitable for both small and intricate projects. It includes a speed indicator, live center, spur center, and a 3-1/4 inch faceplate, providing precision and control for shaping materials. With its versatility and reliability, this lathe is a solid choice for woodworking. If it fits your needs, it’s definitely worth considering. Be sure to check out our Best Midi Lathes Review guide for a full review.
Best Beginner Mini Wood Lathe: 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
First of all, this is not something a pro-turner would consider over a professional wood lathe, because of their underpowered motors.
They are ideal for smaller projects and considered excellent for the entry-level woodturner.
Why It’s Great
I don’t own the Shop Fox W1704, but I’ve used it several times at my friend’s shop. He collects small lathes. While making some bangles and acrylic pens, I tested it alongside the Wen 3420T and Harbor Freight 8” x 12”, and I preferred the Shop Fox for its sturdiness. It had less vibration than the Harbor Freight lathe, a smooth finish, and a well-made tool rest. The variable speed control at its price point is also a plus. In contrast, the Harbor Freight tool rest sat too high, even at its lowest position, making proper alignment difficult if you can’t consistently stay perpendicular to the center of the piece. Be sure to check out our Best Mini Lathes Review guide for a full review.
Best Beginner Budget-Friendly Mini Wood Lathe: WEN LA3421 Variable Speed
- 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
The Wen LA3421 is a great lathe if you’re on a tight budget or looking for a more affordable way to get started with wood turning. It’s got many features you’d expect in a lathe twice the price, for example, variable speed.
If variable speed is something you are looking for, but you need a cheaper alternative to a Jet or Delta midi, Wen is the perfect choice.
Why It’s Great
The Wen LA3421 isn’t the most powerful lathe, but it’s sufficient for light projects like acrylic pens, small mallets, duck calls, chess pieces, and tiny bowls up to 5 inches. It offers variable speed at a budget-friendly price, which is its main advantage over the Harbor Freight mini lathe I mentioned earlier. The key difference from the Wen 3420T is the faceplate size and motor, likely improved after concerns about motor durability. With slightly more power, the Wen LA3421 is a solid choice—just don’t push it beyond its limits.
The Wen LA3421 lacks a digital readout, so you’ll have to estimate the speed manually—a good way to learn traditional techniques. Weighing under 45 lbs, it may slide at higher speeds, so securing it to your bench is essential. The biggest issue is its 1/3 HP motor, which can overheat and stall, especially with hardwoods or bowls. To avoid this, start slow, don’t push it too hard, and allow the motor to cool when needed. And maybe stick to softwood projects. Ultimately, respect its limitations—it’s built to match its budget-friendly price. Be sure to check out our Best Mini Wood Lathes guide for a full review.
Best Beginner 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
I normally wouldn’t recommend a full-size lathe for a beginner. It’s a lot of machine and most beginners are starting in a small space that can’t accommodate a full-size lathe. But if I had to pick one it would be the Jet 1440VSK.
Why It’s Great
The lathe is a sturdy, well-built machine with solid reviews. Its 413 lbs cast iron body and 1 HP motor make it a strong choice for beginners. A key advantage is the speed dial, which adjusts the driver sheave without needing to move belts. However, for the price, a 16” swing for bowl turning would have been a nice addition. You can check out all its features, like cast iron legs and extra bed options, on Amazon. Be sure to check out our Best Wood Lathes guide for a full review.
Best Beginner Wood Lathe FAQs
How do I choose a wood lathe?
Here is my guide for buying a wood lathe to help you understand the rule of thumb. Turners like Colin Furze, Richard Raffan, Keith Rowley, Barry Gross, and many others have said more or less the same when advising first-time buyers.
Also, here’s a quiz to help you find the right wood lathe. I took many of the questions asked in that post and put them into a quiz. With just a few short answers you can have your recommendation.
How fast should the wood lathe run?
It depends on the work. You need to go as low as you can if you are working with round unbalanced blanks. Most of the minis don’t have that power in the motor to produce that torque.
The headstock motor can’t sustain that load it needs. As a result, it bogs down.
But for the spindle work, the metric goes higher. The typical maximum rate remains under 4000 RPM on the high end. You can always refer to this lathe speed chart.
What is a spindle?
The spindle is referenced a lot throughout this post. There’s spindle speed, spindle thread, spindle taper, spindle work and more. If you’re wondering What is a Lathe Spindle and How Does It Work? follow that link to learn more.
What are the easiest woods to turn?
Here are ten of the easiest woods to turn:
1. Walnut
2. Boxelder
3. Red Elm
4. Cherry
5. Rosewood
6. Maple, of course
7. Beech
8. Ebony
9. Hickory
10. Rosewood
For a more comprehensive list, check out my article about the best woods for turning.
Should I start with a mini wood lathe as a beginner?
Of course, you can. You will get the opportunity to know the machine as well as the work. Choose any of the mini-lathes from the list above.
If you think you are interested in going for one, I suggest taking a final look at some other options available for the best mini wood lathes before the final decision. Or compare wood lathes vs metal lathes as well to see if a metal lathe might be of interest.
What would be an ideal beginner wood lathe for turning bowls?
Any wood lathe with durable horsepower and maximum swing over the bed with a low variable speed start is ideal for turning bowls. In other words, the more swing the machine has, the bigger it can turn.
On the other hand, Midi lathes can also produce high-range torque with good swing capacity to turn bowls up to 14″ in diameter. So, machines like the Jet, or Delta with variable speed can give you the possible outcomes. You might also want to check out the Rikon which we named best for bowl turning in our best midi lathes review guide.
Are wood lathes expensive?
Wood lathes range anywhere from $150 for a mini lathe to $8,000 for a professional quality lathe. Price varies based on size and durability.
Is it okay to buy a used wood lathe?
Buying a second-hand or cheap lathe from Craiglist or Facebook Marketplace to save money could be an option.
But if this something you are feeling passionate about and wanna give your best shot, then starting with a brand new, quality lathe should be the priority. The machine will be in a fresh condition, so it will easily outperform an older, used one. Besides, there is always a risk of the wrong inspection due to the lack of experience.
What size lathe do I need?
About 40% of turners use a midi lathe as their primary lathe. If you only want to turn small objects like pens, a mini lathe will do. And if you turn large objects, you’ll want to get a full-sized model.
Here is a video from Woodworker’s Journal on the topic to help you understand the basics.
Do I need a lathe stand?
For most of the lathes in this post, you will need to purchase a separate lathe stand. Unless a lathe comes with a stand or is a small, benchtop lathe, you will need a stand. Great news – we have done the research for you and have compiled a list of the best lathe stands.
Best Beginner Wood Lathes Final Thoughts
I need you to remember one thing before wrapping up. These are all human-made machines, and we make mistakes.
That’s why you see some users posting a complaint, whereas others are living happily with the same machine. It’s because, like with most anything, that particular lathe has got some issues within the parts throughout manufacturing.
So, no matter what wood lathe you are going to buy, take enough time to check all the parts and accessories carefully after shipping. If you find something odd, let them know instantly and make everything clear.
Once you’ve purchased your new lathe, it’s time to learn more about the parts of a lathe, wood lathe set up and lathe safety.
Turn Safe, Turn Big. Welcome to the turning world!