When it comes to woodworking, having the right tools can make all the difference between a good project and an exceptional one. Among these tools, the full-sized woodworking lathe stands out as a true game-changer. This versatile powerhouse brings a host of benefits to the table, making it an indispensable asset for woodworkers of all levels.
From increased precision to the ability to tackle larger projects, a full-sized lathe opens up a world of possibilities. In this article, we’ll explore the advantages that these lathes offer, highlighting how they can elevate your craftsmanship, expand your creative horizons, and help you achieve professional-quality results.
We’ve looked at, tested and reviewed some of the best full-size wood lathes that you can buy for your wood projects. We have put our findings into this comprehensive article so that whether you’re a professional or simply an enthusiast you can easily pick a lathe that will perfectly fit your needs.
1. Best Full-Size Wood Lathes 2023
So here are our picks for the top full-size wood lathes for the money:
| Wood Lathes | Woody Rating | Price |
| 1) Jet JWL-1440 | 10/10 [Editor’s Choice] | |
| 2) Grizzly Industrial G0462 | 8.5/10 | |
| 3) Jet 719500 JWL-1640 EVS 1.5 hp | 8/10 | |
| 4) Shop Fox W1758 | 8/10 | |
| 5) Powermatic 3520 B | 7.5/10 | |
| 6) Delta 46-715 | 7/10 | |
| 7) NOVA 1624 II 16 x 24 8 speed | 7/10 | |
| 8) Laguna Tools Revo Lathe | 7/10 | |
| 9) Grizzly G0766 | 6.8/10 | |
| 10) Shop Fox W1852 | 6.8/10 |
1. Jet JWL-1440 VSK
Why we Love it:
- This lathe is the best option for professional woodturners
- It has a Variable speed change function
- Comes with 7 Positive locking positions
- Easy to set up and use
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Immensely powerful | ❌ none |
| ✅ Excellent for heavy projects | |
| ✅ High durability | |
| ✅ Very versatile |
This full-size wood lathe comes with 1 horsepower and a speed change feature. It’s speed ranges between 400 to 3000 revolutions per minute that you can adjust according to your project.
This large lathe is made of heavy cast iron that makes it durable and also helps to significantly reduce vibration during operation.
It offers a 14.5″ swing over the bed and has a 40 inches distance between the centers. Additionally, it has a sliding headlock feature that can be locked at seven different positions.
It has a tailstock that comes with an anti-rotation key that helps in grasping the object tightly. It also has an MT2 spindle and taper. It has 36 indexing positions and a positive locking tool rest with a clamping system. You can also add 3 additional bed mounts to this lathe.
As many wood lathe reviews and customer ratings about this product suggest, it is an excellent option for the professional woodworker.
2. Grizzly Industrial G0462 16″-46″
Why we Love it:
- This lathe comes with 2 high-powered motors.
- Varying speed feature
- Better control and precision
- It comes with extra accessories
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Highly Versatile | ❌ Targeted at beginners |
| ✅ Easy to use | |
| ✅ 2400 rotations per minute | |
| ✅ Flexibility in use |
This lathe comes ready to go right out of the box saving you the trouble of a long/complicated assembly and setup.
It comes with a speed change feature. Motor speed can be adjusted between 100 and 3200 RPM.
It comes with a spindle and two high-powered motors that ensure smooth operation no matter how heavy the load.
The price is especially attractive for this model given its features. This is a fantastic choice for beginners or those looking for a more cost effective option without compromising on capability.
In terms of ergonomics this lathe has a digital metre that makes visibility a breeze.
This big wood lathe has an easy locking headstock that makes it more versatile, so you can easily control its precision. It has all the necessary accessories with it, you don’t need to purchase anything separately, saving you money and time.
This is perhaps one of the best full-size wood lathes available in the market.
3. Jet 719500 JWL-1640 EVS 1.5 HP 115 V
Why we Love it:
- Headstock sliding feature
- It comes with an improved tailstock locking mechanism
- Smooth and durable movement
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Versatile machine | ❌ The faceplate is only 3 inches in length |
| ✅ No batteries required for operation | |
| ✅ Smooth operation |
This large wood lathe comes with 1.5 horsepower. It features variable speed that ranges between 40 to 3200 revolutions per minute. The motor also features dual direction rotation so you can spin your project clockwise and anti-clockwise for those fine details.
The headstock on this lathe is rotatable. The tailstock has 4 inches of travel. This wood lathe also has a digital RPMreadout with a spindle lock.
The live centre is available with a 3 inch faceplate and features a side mount tool holder that is a handy little feature.
The only real drawback with this lathe is that speed adjustability isn’t as easy as it is on other products we tested.
4. Shop Fox W1758
Why we Love it:
- Powerful motor
- Speed change feature
- It comes with a three-way adjustable tool rest
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅Headstock has 5 different adjustable positions. | ❌Starts at high speed |
| ✅Clamping system | |
| ✅Affordable price |
The most notable feature on this lathe is the motor. You get a powerful 2HP motor. This is plenty of power to pull through even the most challenging of hard woods.
Also, you get plenty of accessories with this product. All the essentials are taken care of so overall you are getting a lathe and a comprehensive starter kit too!
The headstock supports 5 positions which greatly improves functionality and versatility. Also, the tailstock comes with a clamping system to secure it to the lathe bed.
This huge wood lathe comes with various speed settings ranging from 600 to 2400 revolutions per minute.
Due to the advanced feature set and powerful components we think it will be overkill for beginners, but it is the best full-size wood lathe for professionals. However, given the systematic promotions that Amazon and other vendors run on it, it’s also one of the best full size wood lathes for the money.
5. Powermatic 3520 B
Why we Love it:
- High power woodturning lathe
- Variable speed feature
- Heavy motor
- Users can change the orientation of the object during woodturning.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Has ability to withstand pressure | ❌ Relatively expensive |
| ✅ Resists damage and corrosion | ❌ Considerably heavy |
| ✅ Headstock allows user to adjust speed and orientation | |
| ✅ Wide speed range |
The Powermatic 3520 B wood lathe comes with a 2 HP motor and speed adjustability. Speed can be set between 50 and 3200 RPM.
The headstock is unique in functionality in that it allows users to adjust its speed and orientation according to their project.
High quality construction means this lathe resists corrosion and damage making it perfect for tough working environments.
The wood lathe reviews for this product show that it is the best full-size wood lathe for professionals as well as beginners. Given its size, it’s also a one of the best wood lathes for turning large bowls.
6. Delta 46-715 Full Size Lathe
Why we Love it:
- Adjustable speed
- The body is made up of cast iron i.e. sturdy and strong.
- The headstock can be positioned at various angles
- 24 index position scale
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Can withstand pressure | ❌ Operates at dangerous high speeds |
| ✅ Powerful motor | ❌ Suitable for professionals only |
| ✅ Powerful motor |
This wood lathe comes with a 0.75 HP motor that can be adjusted at various speeds between 450 to 600 revolutions per minute. Its body is made up of cast iron and has a weight of 338 pounds.
Its headstock can be adjusted at 3 different angle:, 45, 90, and 180. Additionally, it comes with 24 index positions that make it the best full-size wood lathe for the woodturners who want to work on projects with more accuracy and precision.
Its spindle comes with 24 lockable positions, 14 inches swing over the bed, and 40 inches of distance between its centres.
The reviews for this product show that this is a great value buy as compared to the other models with the same features.
7. NOVA 1624 II 16 x 24 8 speed
Why we Love it:
- Excellent turning functionality
- Powerful motor
- 8 different speed ranges
- Ideal for bowl turning
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Easy to use | ❌ Manual speed adjustment |
| ✅ 360 degrees swivel head | ❌ Not suitable for heavy and large projects |
| ✅ Extendable bed |
This lathe is highly versatile and will be a great choice for turning-based projects. It has a powerful 1.5 HP motor with eight different speed ranges that include 215, 360, 690, 1030, 1450, 2180, 2900, and 3630 RPM.
It weighs around 251 lbs and operates on 230 Volts.
Its motor is reversible that makes it easy to use for left-handed woodturners also.
Moreover, it has a 360 degrees swivel head that allows users to turn the workpiece in any direction of their choice making it comfortable and easy to use.
It is suitable for large projects (especially workshop work) because it has an extendable bed. Additionally, it has a 16-inches onboard turning capacity that makes it ideal for bowl turning. Online lathe reviews show that this is the best full-size wood lathe for beginners as well as professionals given its list of features and its price tag.
8. Laguna Tools Revo Lathe
Why we Love it:
- This lathe comes with an ergonomically angled control panel.
- It comes with a powerful motor.
- Variable speed function
- 3-phase output
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Comes with a control knob. | ❌ Expensive |
| ✅ Highly durable | ❌ Build quality could've been better |
| ✅ Strong and stable | |
| ✅ Portable |
This wood lathe comes with several excellent features and is the best full-size wood lathe for turning bowls. It has a powerful 2 HP motor and operates on 220 volts.
This lathe has a speed change feature, you can adjust its speed according to your project or need. It also has the ability to convert 1 phase input into 3 phase output, therefore produces significant torque even at low settings.
We particularly liked the control knob with a rubber grip as it improves comfort. Its steel constructed body makes it more strong and stable..
It offers low as well as high-speed range according to your projects. Also works smoothly and quietly.
Its reviews show that this is the best wood lathe for the money.
9. Grizzly G0766
Why we Love it:
- Ideal for turning small bowls
- Easy to use and Handle
- 3 hp motor
- Variable speed feature
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Flexible lathe | ❌ Not ideal for turning large-sized objects. |
| ✅ The headstock can rotate 180 degrees | |
| ✅ Affordable |
This lathe is easy to install and use. It comes with a 3 HP powerful motor that operates on 230 volts. Its a hefty lathe weighing in at around 500 lbs.
It has a variable speed motor that allows the user to change speeds between 100 to 3200 revolutions per minute. Additionally, you don’t need to fiddle with the belts to change their speed. It means you can operate it with minimum knowledge of lathe operation.
This wood lathe also allows you to mount additional weight on the shelf between the stands to make it more stable. It offers 22 inches swing over the bed and 16 inches under the tool rest. Moreover, its headstock can rotate 180 degrees making it more comfortable to rotate the workpiece during operation.
Besides its plus points, you should notice that it has a smaller tool rest i.e. not suitable for turning large bowls or other large diameter objects.
In short, this is one of the best wood lathe for the money that any woodworker can buy.
10. Shop Fox W1852
Why we Love it:
- 3 hp motor
- Variable speed feature
- Lever-action feature
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Forward/reverse spindle control | ❌ Relatively Heavy |
| ✅ 22" Swing over bed |
This Shop Fox W1852 Wood Lathe comes with a 3 HP powerful motor that operates on single-phase power and runs on 220 volts. This lathe weighs about 584 lbs.
It offers 22 inches swing over the bed and 18 inches swing over tool rest. Additionally, it has a 42 inches distance between its centres.
It comes with the feature of variable speed that ranges from 100 RPM to 3200 RPM, hence can turn small as well as large wood workpieces. It also has an electronic variable speed controller along with a digital readout (that gives you the exact reading of the speed).
Furthermore, it produces a significant amount of torque that helps in operating it at all speeds. It also consists of a forward and reverse spindle control.
Lever action is available for tailstock, headstock, and tool rest to position your workpiece quickly. Hence, it is the best full-size wood lathe for beginners as well as professionals.
2. Buying Guide
Here are some questions that may come to your mind before making a purchase.
1. What Should I Look For When Buying A Wood Lathe?
The main things you want to look out for include:
- The size of the base
- Motor power (HP Ratings)
- Headstock and tailstock functionality
- Tool rest
- Swing over bed
- Power switch
- RPM
- Voltage
2. What Is The Best Wood Lathe For Turning Bowls?
Here are our top 3 picks:
- Jet JWL-1440 VSK Wood Lathe
- Grizzly Industrial G0462-16″*46″ Wood Lathe with DRO
- Jet 719500 JWL-1640 EVS 1.5 hp 115 V Lathe
3. Which One Is The Best Full-Size Wood Lathe For The Money?
The best full-sized wood lathe for the money is Shop Fox W1758 Wood Lathe.
It provides all notable features at an affordable price. It is the best lathe for professionals who want to take their woodwork to the next level without breaking their bank.
4. What Is The Best Full-Size Wood Lathe For Beginners?
In our opinion the Grizzly Industrial G0462-16″*46″ Wood Lathe is the best full-size wood lathe for beginners because it is easy to set up and use.
However, if you are on a budget and don’t need to work on very large projects we recommend you have a look at our review on the best beginner lathes under $500. These are a great place to start if you are new to working with wood lathes.
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