In my journey of setting up my own wood workshop and tackling small projects, I’ve learned the importance of choosing the right woodworking tools, especially wood lathes, to streamline the construction process. Faced with a plethora of options, finding the ideal beginner wood lathe can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, drawing from my experience and the input of fellow DIY enthusiasts, I’ve compiled and tested a list of reliable tools to determine their suitability for both budget and functionality.
Reviews of the Top Beginner Wood Lathes
1. JET Wood Lathe Benchtop JWL-1440VS
The best beginner wood lathes should be both affordable and high-quality — and that’s what JET Wood Lathe Benchtop JWL-1440VS gave us during our series of tests. With its minimum speed of 400 RPM to 3000 RPM, rest assured that this benchtop wood lathe will get the job done accurately and efficiently.
Besides its impressive variable speed ranges, this particular lathe has a durable construction and a convenient RPM display. It also features a unique clamping system along with a securely locked tool rest for better support.
As if that didn’t impress us enough, this wood lathe for beginners has an ACME thread that aids the tailstock spindle speed.
What I Liked When Testing
- It has variable speeds ranging from 400 to 3000 RPM
- The best wood lathe for beginners with reliable variable speed control
- It has a secured and convenient tool rest and clamping system
- It offers an optimum user convenience with RPM readout and sliding headstock
- It has a highly portable benchtop lathe and easy placement allocation
What I Don’t Like When Testing
- It requires regular component maintenance for extended usage
- It must be used and transported with utmost care
2. Powermatic 4224B Woodturning Lathe
If you’re in search of a starter wood lathe that will stand the test of time, then the Powermatic 4224B Woodturning Lathe machine is the best recommendation our tool experts can give to you.
Besides its cast-iron legs, this professional wood lathe machine has a powerful motor that runs at a speed of 1720 RPM. With a maximum outboard swing of 88 inches and 98 indexing positions, this full-size wood lathe for beginners can handle multiple projects in a smooth transition.
In my evaluations of wood projects, I was genuinely impressed with the lathe’s brass-tipped knockout bar. Additionally, its easy-to-access powered accessories, like the two 100-watt work lights, stood out in my assessment.
What I Liked When Testing
- It is the suitable wood lathe for drilling hole patterns
- It offers a motor speed range of 1720 RPM
- It has an 88-inch outboard turning maximum diameter capacity
- It is equipped with a brass-tipped knock-out bar
- It has a solid cast-iron construction
What I Don’t Like When Testing
- It is moderately expensive compared to other wood lathes
- This heavy-duty lathe weighs 960 lbs or 435.45 kg
3. WEN 3421 Wood Lathe
In my quest to find the best wood lathe for beginners, I came across the WEN 3421 Wood Lathe. Its powerful motors, reasonable pricing, and solid construction quickly showed me that a higher price tag doesn’t always mean superior quality [1].
If you’re looking for a new wood lathe to work on wood materials ranging up to 12 inches long and 8 inches wide, then let this wood lathe run your project to its fullest extent. This variable speed wood lathe machine also secures the grip of any material during the operation thanks to its tailstock taper and MT1 spindle.
What I Liked When Testing
- It has 50% more power output than other mini wood lathe machines
- It features two tool rests that can be adjusted easily
- The budget-friendly wood lathes for beginners
- It is integrated with a stable and convenient tool rest feature
What I Don’t Like When Testing
- It has smaller material capacity compared to midi wood lathes
- It requires regular maintenance for lasting usage
4. JET JWL-1015VS Variable-Speed Wood Lathe
Many of the top wood lathes I’ve come across often hail from the same brand. So, I wasn’t particularly surprised when I tested the JET JWL-1015VS Wood Lathe. This variable-speed mini lathe boasts three-pulley speed ranges: from 200-1,050, 300-1,750, to 600-3,600 RPM.
Engineered with an advanced tensioning system that makes it easier to access belts, there’s no doubt that these are suitable wood lathes for beginners. The optional mini lathe accessories like the 21-inch bed extension also ensure that the users will have enough turning capacities to handle different projects.
What I Liked When Testing
- It features three different speed ranges
- It is easier to operate compared to a full-sized wood lathe
- It comes with 24 indexing positions
- It is the best wood lathe for versatility and precision
- It has 21-inch bed extension for better turning capacity
What I Don’t Like When Testing
- It only has smaller material capacity compared to a full-sized lathe
- It comes with moderately higher price range than some lathe machine options
5. Laguna Tools MLAREVO 1836-110 Wood Lathe
It’s widely recognized in the industry that the Laguna Tools Revo Lathe series has made a significant mark in the woodworking machine market, particularly for its dual variable speeds ranging between 135 to 3,500 RPM and 50 to 1,300 RPM.
While it’s on the pricier side, I often recommend this series to beginners. One standout feature is its cast-iron headstock design, which not only enhances tool longevity but also ensures smooth operations. The MLAREVO 1836-110, a robust machine in the lineup, further impresses with its notable outboard swing grip, ensuring secure handling of workpieces.
If that didn’t impress you enough, this lathe also features ergonomic handles for added portability and a steel-constructed bed for stability.
What I Liked When Testing
- It comes with an electronic variable speed dial
- It is equipped with ergonomic handles and durable steel bed
- It has a reliable outboard swing grip for secure material handling
- It is manufactured by a trusted woodworking equipment brand
What I Don’t Like When Testing
- It is relatively expensive compared to other full-sized and midi lathes
- It must be maintained accordingly for extended usage
6. RIKON 70-100 12-by-16-Inch Mini Lathe
Every workshop space is unique, a fact I’m well aware of. When it comes to limited spaces, I’d recommend the RIKON 70-100 12-by-16-Inch Mini Lathe. Don’t let the ‘mini’ designation fool you. Despite its compact size, this machine boasts 12 indexing positions, offering both flexibility in operations and enhanced safety features.
This mini-lathe is listed as one of the best wood lathes for new woodworkers because of its self-ejecting tailstock and tool accessories like nylon faceplate washer, tool rest, and flip handle. The operation of these mini-lathes can also be adjusted with different speed capacities from 430 RPM up to 3900 RPM.
What I Liked When Testing
- It has a convenient self-ejecting tailstock feature
- It features 12 indexing positions for safe operations
- It comes with helpful lathe accessories
- It can run from 430 RPM up to 3900 RPM
What I Don’t Like When Testing
- It is expensive compared to other lathes
- It has only smaller material capacity compared to a midi lathe
7. Excelsior Mini Lathe
In my search for cost-effective solutions, I encountered the Excelsior Mini Lathe. Powered by a ½HP motor, this machine delivers precision in spades. For those considering turning bowls, Excelsior Mini Lathe can handle materials up to 10 inches in diameter and 17 ¾ inches in length.
On top of that, this mini lathe equipment can be operated at different operational speeds ranging from 760 up to 3200 RPM. There’s also no need to worry about this machine wearing down because it’s designed with cast-iron construction meant for handling extended operations.
What I Liked When Testing
- It is suitable for crafting small and decorative wood pieces
- It has flexible operating speeds ranging from 760 up to 3200 RPM
- It is designed with durable and sturdy iron construction
- It can accommodate materials up to 10-inch diameter
What I Don’t Like When Testing
- It has less material capacity than midi lathe options
- It requires regular maintenance for extended usage
8. RIKON 70-150VSR Midi Lathe
When handling a bigger project, you’ll need a more powerful tool like RIKON 70-150VSR Midi Lathe to aid your construction process. This variable-speed midi lathe is integrated with a 1 HP DC Motor and is capable of wide-range speed controls resulting in better output and performance.
I firmly believe that beginners will find this wood lathe straightforward to use, given its digital RPM readout, magnetic-back control box, and sturdy cast-iron bed. The machine’s adjustable handles ensure materials remain securely positioned even during operation. Additionally, its ball-bearing design enhances precision during tasks.
What I Liked When Testing
- It comes with a high-performing 1 HP DC motor
- It has wide-range speed controls
- It features digital readout, control box, and durable bed
- It has ball-bearing construction
What I Don’t Like When Testing
- It is moderately expensive compared to cheaper options
- It must be handled and used with utmost care
Beginner Wood Lathe Buyer’s Guide
Size and Design
When looking for the best wood lathe, you must consider the size and design of the product you want to purchase. Selecting the size of a woodworking machine depends on the available space in your woodshop, and it generally varies in three designs available in the market.
The first type I’d highly recommend for beginners is the benchtop lathes. These tools are notably more compact compared to others and are designed specifically for smaller projects, such as turning bowls, crafting chair legs, and creating decorative furnishings.
On the other hand, the likes of midi and full-sized wood lathes are solely dedicated to more complex workpieces. Getting these machines costs more and requires a big chunk of space in your woodworking shop.
Material Durability
It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a well-versed woodworker; we all know that a machine’s life varies depending on the materials used in its construction. In this product roundup, you may have already noticed how most of the options are designed with cast iron and stainless steel. These types of materials offer durability that makes the tool last longer.
Speed
Woodworking encompasses a wide range of materials with different characteristics, so it’s important to have a wood lathe that offers variable speed options. This flexibility allows you to adjust the speed based on the specific material you’re working with, ensuring optimal performance and better results.
I strongly advise investing in a wood lathe with adjustable speed settings. This feature is invaluable, given the diverse range of materials one might work with in woodworking projects.
Some wood lathes feature adjustable speed ranges depending on how powerful their integrated motors are, so it’ll be wise to check the RPM capability of the machine before proceeding to purchase. The speed capacity of your lathe also indicates whether you can work on certain kinds of materials like soft and hardwood.
Ease of Use
More than anything else, a wood lathe suited for beginners should be easy to use. The user-friendliness of your wood lathe usually aligns with the number of indexing positions it can offer, especially if you’ll be working on pieces with pattern designs.
Upon reading this post, you’ll see that some products in this list are integrated with convenient headstock functions that pivot in different angles to cater to shaping your workpiece appropriately. On top of that, it’s also helpful to see if the wood lathe has reliable tool rests to support the operation in executing accurate cuts or drills.
Stability
To ensure that the material is in position during the woodturning operations, you should get a wood lathe with reliable spring-loaded locks. This feature will ensure that your workpiece is stable even when the motor is currently running. It also prevents unintended damages to the material you’re working on.
And because wood lathe operates by turning materials in rotating motion, vibrations are often hindrances to getting the output you need. In that case, you should get a lathe with cast-iron construction to minimize these vibrations even further. It’ll also help if your machine has rubberized feet to avoid overall wobbling that can interrupt the operation.
Safety Features
Operating a wood lathe can be dangerous at times because it runs at varying speeds that may cause flying wood chips and harmful wood dust. Vibrations will not only ruin your wood project but can also cause severe accidents when not handled appropriately.
Because of this predicament, we suggest wood lathes with advanced clamping systems to avoid slipping of workpieces during the operation. Working in a well-lit area can also lessen the chances of accidents, which is why some manufacturers include task lights when you purchase a wood lathe machine from them.
The speed adjustment features are also intended to help users select the right pace for the job. When you buy lathe machines, you’ll see recommended speed settings indicated in the user manual. Going for slower or moderate speed will prevent the occurrence of flying chips. This tip is especially useful if you’re not entirely familiar with operating such woodworking machines.
You should also make sure that the tool rests are adjustable to set it closer or farther from the rotating mass. Putting the tools too close may lead to unintended friction between the material and result in objects flying in your direction.
Last but not least, always wear protective gear when working with these types of tools. Although the best beginner wood lathes feature safety functions to make your woodworking operations hassle-free, keep in mind that dealing with electronic equipment entails certain risks. Hence, it’s best to be ready at all times.
Accessories
Aside from aiding woodturning projects, the reason why wood lathes are sought after in the woodworking industry is that it includes extremely helpful accessories.
Wood lathe manufacturers understand the needs of budding DIY enthusiasts. That’s why they made sure to include add-ons like work lights, accessible tool storage, and a convenient RPM readout for beginners to monitor the operational speed and settings easily and without any hassle.
Besides those mentioned above, there are also wood lathes accompanied by a knockout bar. It’s a metal installed in the headstock to tap the tip of any taper accessories alongside it. Faceplates, on the other hand, help with attaching your wood into the lathe. It has screw holes that enable secure placement of the material.
Availability of Parts
Starting from the headstock where all the action starts, the tailstock taper with two popular sizes: MT-1 and MT-2, and an indexing wheel — all these components aid your wood lathe to operate correctly and execute a better performance.
As a beginner, you should get acquainted with the crucial parts of your chosen wood lathe. Always remember that this tool operates with different components, so there will be a time or two that you’ll need to replace some of it.
Price and Warranty
Like any other electrical type of equipment in the market, wood lathes widely differ in pricing. As previously discussed in this post, wood lathe tools vary in size and design. Depending on the manufacturer, one wood lathe may have a different set of components than the other. Such differences affect the range of pricing of these tools.
However, if we’re talking about the products on this list, the cheapest of the bunch can go as low as $150, and the premium options from known brands can go as high as $7000 or higher. While it’s true that prices sometimes align with the quality of the product, it’s important to consider the projects you’ll take on to determine if they’ll suit the features of your wood lathe.
In terms of product warranty, the best advice we can give you is to purchase your wood lathe from the actual manufacturer or authorized sellers. Unable to present required documents for your equipment won’t grant you warranty perks when in need of component replacement or machine maintenance.
FAQ
What should a beginner lathe make?
A beginner lathe should make bowls, flower pots, wooden kitchen utensils, and other decorative workpieces not requiring complex wood patterns. Although it’s enticing to take on complicated woodworking projects, beginner lathe machines are typically smaller with less capacity that can only cater to limited types of materials.
(If you want a compact machine that can handle wooden and metal workpieces, check our recommended mini metal lathes next!)
Our Top Pick For a Beginner Wood Lathe:
JET Wood Lathe Benchtop JWL-1440VS
After personally testing and evaluating the best beginner wood lathes on the market, I have chosen the JET Wood Lathe Benchtop JWL-1440VS as my top recommendation. With its speed range from 400 to 3,000 RPM and a distinctive clamping system that ensures stable woodturning operations, I’m confident this wood lathe will simplify the journey for any woodworking novice.
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