Here at projectmakersonline we are dedicated to craftsmen finding the best tools for their needs. Lathes are a woodworker’s best friend and have been around for centuries. Whether you are a professional or a weekend warrior, your tools are close to your heart and a big part of a project’s success. No woodshop is complete without a good quality lathe. Luckily, we have done the hard work for you so you can make the right decision for your woodworking needs.
Our Criteria for Lathes
We based our reviews on the following:
- Budget– You might want to figure out how much you are willing to spend. A lower range lathe can perfectly suit the needs of an amateur or beginning wood tuner, while a professional might need something more expensive
- Type– A benchtop lathe is usually lighter and more portable but the full-size models offer more power in its swing and longer center-to-center distance.
- Work– The thickness and length of the wood you plan to turn affects the type of lathe that you need and whether or not you should purchase extenders.
- Speed– The size of the wood also affects the RPM speed that you need. In general, rough cuts are at slower speeds while finer cuts should be done at higher RPM ranges.
Grizzly H8259 Bench-Top Wood Lathe, 10-Inch (Paid Link)
The Grizzly is the best lathe on the market for its price range. Projectmakersonline understands that saving money is always a good idea particularly if you are not sacrificing quality. The Grizzly lathe gives you a great bang for your buck.
However, the price point does limit some of the features. For instance, instead of continuous speed, this lathe offers five distinct settings which are as follows:
- 826
- 1205
- 1713
- 2422
- 3337
This is a top-quality lathe that cost almost sixty percent less than some of the top lathes on the market but offers similar performance. The low price makes it a perfect tool for woodworkers on a budget. It is also a good alternative for those who are just starting out on woodturning and only plan on doing basic projects. More experienced crafters can still appreciate the price and relative portability.
However, the Grizzly only comes with a limited one year warranty. Some operators have complained that the engine heats up too quickly
But, the Grizzly H8259 comes with only a one-year warranty. In summary, this is a great model for people getting into woodturning. For experienced woodworkers, they can use this as a standby machine or a portable lathe.
Pros:
- Great quality for the price
- Lightweight and portable
- Good for beginners
Cons:
- Only a 1-year warranty
- No continuous speed control
- The engine can get hot quickly
JET JWL-1221VS 12-Inch by 21-Inch Variable Speed Wood Lathe (Paid Link)
If money is no object then this is by far the best lathe you can buy. The Jet is very popular and is good enough even for the most expert woodworker and great for complex projects.
This Lath has amazing speed control. The continuous speed controls allow you to set the spindle at any RPM as long as it falls within the range of the machine. The digital readout helps you keep track of the speed your machine is running. Transitioning from forward to reverse is also very smooth on this machine
We should mention that the machine is quite heavy and weighs in at 120 pounds. Also, the center to center distance tops out at 21 inches and you will need a bed extension for anything longer.
Even with these limitations, this is still one of the best lathes on the market today. The five-year warranty can make you confident about this purchase.
Pros:
- Continuous Speed Control up to 3600 RPMs
- Digital speed reader
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Need bed extension for anything over 21 inches
Mophorn 10 x 18 Inch Wood Lathe Bench Top Heavy Duty Wood Lathe 5 Speed (Paid Link)
The Mophorn is another great lathe at a moderate price. This lathe has a variable speed controls of 500-3200 RPMs. The swing over bed is 10″ and has an 18″ distance between centers. One will need an extender for longer projects.
Operators have praised its cast iron construction and the rubber feet provide stability. It also comes with a digital speed reader.
The machine only has a 1-year warranty and people have complained that the manual is hard to understand. The engine might not be as powerful as some of the other lathes that are on the market.
Overall, this is still a great lathe at a very affordable price.
Pros:
- Steel body
- Digital speed reader
- Great price
Cons:
- 1-year warranty
- Need extender for larger projects
Delta Industrial 46-460 Wood Lathe (Paid Link)
This is another lathe that comes with continuous speed control and can be set as follows:
- 250 to 750 RPM
- 600 to 1800 RPM
- 1350 to 4000 RPM
This tool provided more range at the higher RPMs so it is great for large wood stock. The belt tension systems allow for easy range selection and there is no trouble shifting the range.
However, the Delta does not have a digital speed reader and the center to center range is only 16.5 inches, so you need an extension for anything longer than 16 inches.
This machine offers a lot of the advantages of the higher priced lathes but at a fraction of the cost. It also comes with a 5-year warranty that speaks to the confidence that Delta has in this lathe.
Pros:
- Reasonable Price
- Continuous speed
- The patented belt tension system
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- No speed reader
- Limited center-to-center distance
- Can not do pieces longer than 16 inches without extender
Powermatic 1352001 Wood-Lathe (Paid Link)
If you need a professional grade lathe than the Powermatic is the tool for you. This lathe comes with a 2 hp motor and lets you turn wood in the following ranges:
- 125 to 3500 RPM
- 50 to 1500 RPM
This is a full-sized lathe as opposed to one that fits on a bench. It comes with a digital reader and has a very impressive capacity. The center-to-center distance is a whopping 36 inches which allow this lathe to work on extremely large projects. The speed control is variable.
The Powermatic also has tailstock storage and a spring-loaded locking button so you can install accessories with ease. It also comes with a five-year warranty.
The machine is heavy and not very portable. This is not the right lathe for a beginner or an amateur woodworker.
Pros:
- Variable speed control
- Digital reader
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Better for commercial use