You cannot deny the importance of the right tool when it comes to woodworking.
A full-sized lathe may not help you when you’re going to deal with the smaller details.
So, a mini wood lathe machine is a perfect solution. But how can you choose the best mini wood lathe when there are literally hundreds of options out there in the market?
Here is a comprehensive buying guide featuring the most amazing mini wood lathes available in the market.
Things to look for before buying:
You should keep in mind these few things before making a purchase: Size, power, performance, speed, headstock and tailstock, tool rest, and convenience. Another thing that matters in purchasing a wood lathe is, to make sure that you clearly know your demands (work). For instance, you want to work with heavy and large objects, you should go for JET JWL 1221-VS. Similarly, you can go for Mophorn Wood lathe if you want to work on smaller objects.
Are wood lathes dangerous?
No, they are not dangerous. If you know the basics of using the lathe, it will never harm you except wood dust, which can cause breathing problems in case you are not wearing mask or safety glasses. Especially if you are a beginner, you should take safety measures (wear protective glasses, masks, and gloves) before operating a wood lathe for woodturning.
Let’s dive in.
Best Mini Wood Lathes 2023:
Here are our picks for the top mini wood lathes you can buy for the price:
Why we Love it:
- It comes with a feature of variable speed control
- This mini woodturning lathe also has a forward to reverse function.
- Well-built and easy to set up and use
- Does not produce any sound and gives a clear digital display
- Heavy motor (1hp)
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ 8 holes to secure the wood | ❌ none |
| ✅ Easy to use | |
| ✅ Cast iron bed reduces vibrations | |
| ✅ Heavy-duty | |
| ✅ Clear digital display | |
This mini lathe offers complete control along with the forward and reverses feature. You do not need to worry about setting it up, as it is well-built and very easy to use.
Ratchet style belt tension system makes it unique and more versatile. It comes with a weight of 129.8 lbs. with 12*21 inches dimensions. Even without adding an extension bed it still has a bed swing capacity of 12 inches. A knob is present to control its 3 different speeds offering an RPM range of 60 to 3600. It makes smooth transitions without damaging the motor or your workpiece.
It is one of the best-reviewed mini wood lathes among all. Hence, this is the best small lathe that is the perfect choice for professionals who want to take their woodwork to the next level.
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Why we love it:
- It has a powerful motor with a variable speed system to ensure control
- It has a large swing capacity with 1 hp power.
- It comes with a forward and reverses function.
- It includes a 3-pulley system for optimal speed selection
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Higher accuracy rate and precision | ❌ Lacks digital display |
| ✅ Large swing capacity | |
| ✅ Offers easy belt adjustments | |
| ✅ Great value for money | |
This mini lathe offers the largest capacity with a motor of 1 horsepower. This power works well with variable three pully speed for the smooth running of the Lathe.
It weighs 97 pounds with a size of 12.5 inches.
This mini lathe offers full control over speed without changing the belt position. Another loving feature of this lathe is its forward and reverse function that helps you to achieve accurate finishes without turning the object in opposite direction.9
It has a wider swing of 12.5 inches that makes it a reliable choice for turning plates, bowls, and other wide objects. Moreover, it also has a bed extension that can increase its capacity up to 42 inches, making it a smart choice for people who are looking to take start with the more modest mini-lathe. This mini wood lathe is highly reviewed and has a rating of 5 stars overall on stores like amazon. It is a regular spot holder in lists regarding the best benchtop wood lathes as well.
In short, this tabletop wood lathe is an excellent option for those looking for a powerful option that can tackle a range of tasks. No list of mini lathe reviews may ever be complete without mentioning this great offering by Delta.
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Why we love it:
- It offers you to choose extra accessories for more versatility.
- Comes with a strong motor with 0.5 of horsepower.
- 12-position indexing head for more detailed work.
- Allows you to set your workpiece in multiple positions.
- Has a flip-up handle
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Easy to use | ❌ There are some issues related to its parts breaking. |
| ✅ Flip-up handle | |
| ✅ Nylon faceplate washer | |
Rikon 70-100 mini woodturning lathe that can handle both smaller as well as detailed objects with ease. Easy to use and handle, so saves time and effort.
It has an easy access speed change feature that enables you to change its speed from 430 to 3900 RPM with 6 different speed levels. To get more precision and detail in your work, it possesses a twelve-position indexing head that allows the user to adjust the wood workpiece in different positions. This benchtop lathe is useful for drilling, grooving, fluting, and many other applications. It also has a nylon faceplate washer that averts accessories from plunging to the spindle. It weighs 88.5 pounds with 12*16 inches size and is the most amazing mini wood lathe in every aspect.
So, whether you are a beginner looking to advance his/her skill or a professional who takes his/her woodwork seriously, this may be the simplest mini wood lathe for your woodworking endeavors.
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Why we love it:
- It is made up of cast iron to withstand pressure
- Variable speed change feature
- 75 inches faceplate (ideal for creating bowls)
- 8-inches swing over bed
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Affordable price | ❌ Low power even at max speed |
| ✅ Fast-moving motor | ❌ Not suitable for larger projects |
| ✅ Portable | |
This Shop Fox W1704 is also revered as the best budget lathe. It is lightweight (only 48.5 pounds) with 8*13 inches in size. Its low weight feature makes it portable and easy to carry wherever you want.
This mini lathe has an 8″ swing over the bed with a 12-inch distance between its centers that allows the user to turn a large number of various wood pieces easily. It has a fast-moving motor with a variable speed of 700 to 3200 RPM. This mini wood lathe has a good rating on its review page.
It is the best option for pen turning and small cutting and shaping projects. If you are a beginner or still learning and growing, this is the perfect wood lathe for you to explore more in woodworking.
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Why we love it:
- It has a convenient belt access door.
- It also possesses a Spur center on the headstock with a ball-bearing live center on the tailstock.
- This mini wood lathe machine comes with a removable safety switch along with nonslip feet.
- Stable turning and withstand even high pressures
- Variable speed change feature with 5 different speeds
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Solid cast iron built. | ❌ Considerably heavy |
| ✅ High power motor | ❌ Not portable |
| ✅ Rubber feet for stability | ❌ Can't be mounted without a bench or a stand. |
| ✅ Durable | |
This small woodturning lathe is made up of firm cast iron and remains firm in its place which gives it maximum durability. It can turn bowls around 10” in diameter and spindle around 17.75” long.
It comes with a heavy motor with ½ hp. Very simple to use with an ON/OFF switch and non-slip rubber feet that provide it more stability. It has a variable speed feature that has 5 different speeds i.e. 760, 1100, 1600, 2200, and 3200 RPM. This tabletop wood lathe is used to turn spindles, pens, and bowls a bit over 9” in diameter. Can also be used to work on the chair legs, small tables, and other decorative turnings. It has an 18” distance between its centers and can be increased by adding an optional mini lathe bed extension. Additionally, it also possesses a ball bearing that stays middle on the tailstock with locking ratcheting adjustment levers.
Spur middle is present on the headstock along with 3” diameter faceplate that is supplied with the lathe. This mini lathe has excellent reviews on its site. Are you a beginner who is looking for a lathe for yourself that is also affordable? Then why you are still reading? This may arguably be the perfect mini wood lathe when you consider its price tag. This will allow you to learn more without breaking your bank.
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Why we love it:
- Comes with a variable speed function with a motor of ½ hp.
- Heavy cast iron build ensures stability
- It can turn bowls up to 12” and spindle up to 16.5 inches.
- Has a swing over the bed around 9.75 inches.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Variable speed control | ❌ The four-way device submit is not so convenient. |
| ✅ Affordable | ❌ Hard to carry around |
| ✅ Heavy motor | |
| ✅ Digital spindle speed indicator | |
This is probably the best hobby wood lathe with a 10 inches turning radius and spindle up to 16.75 inches. It comes with a variable speed feature and allows you to change the speed between a wide range from 630 to 3800 RPM. Also, the digital readout display is present to read the exact rotations per minute.
As it is made up of heavy cast iron, so offers a large mass along with stability. It possesses a heavy-duty single-phase (3.4 A) motor having ½ hp of power. It weighs 78 lbs. It can bolt up to 3-1/8 inches faceplate, bowls up to 12 inches wide, and spindles up to 16.5 inches long. It comes with an optional bed extension and can turn it up to 40 inches between centers. This miniature benchtop lathe comes with spindle threads of 1” *8 TPI offering a wide range of thread capabilities. Also offers a footprint of 8*30 inches. It also has the forward/opposite spindle control with headstock positions anywhere alongside the bed.
It includes 3-1/8 inches faceplate with 5.75 inches tool rest and 10 degrees spindle indexing. This mini lathe has a good review and is considered an excellent choice for those who need to show fixture pieces, bowls, and other different big diameter tasks. If you are a beginner or have a hobby of woodworking, this portable wood lathe might just be the right choice!
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Why we love it:
- It has a powerful motor with an electronic variable speed change function.
- This tabletop wood lathe holds its own weight and runs smoothly.
- The heavy-duty frame and parts offer more resistance to wear and tear.
- Comes with a digital display.
- Long operational life.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Variable speed feature | ❌ Not ideal for longer turnings e.g bats |
| ✅ Noiseless smooth operation | ❌ Relatively Heavy |
| ✅ High stability | |
This handheld power planer lathe comes with a heavy-duty 550W motor and its size is 10*18 inches. It has a variable speed feature with a digital display to work with more precise readings. It offers 12” swing over the bed with 18 inches distance between centers. It possesses 6” tool rest, 3 inches faceplate, and a top drive and live center. Although it does not possess such high-end features as the lathes present on top of the list, still it is worthy because of its affordable price. It can run smoothly between 500 to 3800 rotations per minute.
This is also known as the great lathe for money because it comes at an affordable price and is effective for moderate projects i.e. you can turn wood pens, rings, and bowls easily. It has rubber feet that offer more stability and smooth running. It weighs about 83.1 lbs. So can be set up in labs, and workshops easily.
It is built with High-quality units throughout the machine. It has a long operational life and hence, this is among the top-tier mini wood lathe for people who are new to woodworking. Whenever one goes through any mini wood lathe reviews list, there’s a high chance you’ll see this gadget taking a spot there.
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8-
Why we love it:
- More stable and does not vibrate during operation
- Cast iron construction
- Speed change feature
- Easy to set it up
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Great for light tasks | ❌ Speed control not good |
| ✅ Easy maintenance | ❌ Not good for larger projects. |
| ✅ Easy to set up | |
| ✅ Easy access to speed changes | |
This sturdy mini wood lathe comes with a motor having ½ hp motor that is pretty good to handle small wooden pieces. It weighs around 75 lbs. and 35.5”, 10.5”, and 14.8” dimensions.
It is built with cast iron that makes it sturdy and stable. It is easy to set up and fix its parts together but suitable for mostly the lighter tasks. This handheld planer lathe comes with a variable speed feature that allows you to change its speed to five different ranges with the help of a tailstock.
You can also add an additional extension to increase its versatility. Its workpiece holding capacity is also excellent. If you are a pen-turner, this is the most amazing mini wood lathe for you. It is also used for boreholes and finishing up light projects efficiently. It has a great pressure-bearing ability that makes it more stable and vibration-free. It offers a bed swing of 10 inches and a distance between centers of 18”. However, it is not much suitable for heavy large projects and does not offer good speed controls.
In short, it can be a good option for beginners and woodworkers who deal with light work only.
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Why we love it:
- Variable speed change feature
- Cast iron construction
- Suitable for light projects
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Has integrated faceplate | ❌ Not suitable for heavy and large projects |
| ✅ Variable speed control | ❌ Not much powerful |
| ✅ Possesses a live center in tailstock | |
This tabletop wood lathe is very affordable and comes with 3.2 Amp motor and 12” *8” dimensions.
It comes with 2.3 inches faceplate for non-spindle work. Also possesses a spindle, tailstock, and two exchangeable tool rests. It has a variable speed change feature that enables the user to change its speed anywhere between 750 to 3200 RPM. It has a cast iron construction that makes it more stable and durable. It also possesses a locking indexing function.
It is a user-friendly starter mini wood lathe that can work at various indexing positions. This mini woodturning lathe also possesses a clamping system that helps in adjusting a tool rest. Although it cannot meet the level of mini-lathes mentioned on the top of the list, still as this review suggests, it is not a bad option for amateurs or hobbyists who want to perform smaller wood tasks and hone their skills.
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Why we love it:
- Includes all accessories that beginners need to get started.
- Has a variable speed from 750 to 3200 RPM.
- Its two tool rests that are 4.5 and 7 inches grant more flexibility and control.
- This mini woodturning lathe also includes easy to use lever clamping system.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Small and lightweight | ❌ Not suitable for tougher large project |
| ✅ Portable | ❌ Relatively weak build |
| ✅ Budget-friendly | ❌ Tailstock nob is hard to use |
| ✅ Easy to use with soft start motor | |
Being a micro wood lathe, it is highly affordable with a weight of 43.6 lbs. and 8*12 inches dimensions. It has a soft start motor that runs on 2Amps, helps prevent any motor damage, and to maximize safety.
Considering its price and user-friendly interface, it has garnered a sizeable audience that considers this small woodturning lathe as high value for money. It has the feature of variable speed change that changes its speed from 750 to 3200 RPM. It comes with a spindle and tailstock with threads to accommodate a variety of accessories.
This tabletop wood lathe also has two tool rests i.e.4.5” and 7” that give you more flexibility and control over it. It is a great small lathe to install in workshops where space is limited or the workload is less. Additionally, it comes with an amazing feature of the clamping system, adjustments to both tailstock and tool rest are accurate and precise. It runs smoothly with easy to use ON/OFF switch.
On the downside, this lathe is designed for an entry-level, not suitable for hard or gnarled wood. The mini-lathe has the best reviews as an entry-level lathe. However, it may very well be the perfect mini wood lathe for beginners who want to test out their craft while remaining in budget.
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Buying Guide
Hope these mini wood lathe reviews were helpful. Here are some questions that may come to your mind before choosing the right mini wood lathe for your woodwork.
Let’s dive in
What is a mini lathe machine used for?
A mini wood lathe is used for model railroading, RC modeling, and to make other parts of different objects like chair legs, wood pen turning, and more. It is an essential tool for professional woodworkers and enthusiasts to create furniture, hollow vessels, drawer pulls, or other tool’s parts. It is also used to create bowls and wooden chess pieces.
What is the best mini wood lathe?
Here are our top picks out of all mini lathes:
- JET JWL-1221VS Mini-Wood Lathe
- Delta Industrial 46-460 Mini-Wood Lathe
- Rikon 70-100 Mini Wood Lathe
Be sure to check out our mini lathe reviews above for an in-depth analysis of each product.
Is it difficult to work on a wood lathe?
The answer is ‘No’. If you have learned the basics and know how to operate a wood lathe safely, you can perform any woodturning task on it with ease. You can obviously learn more with experience if you have just dived into this field. Be sure to check out our list for the best small wood lathes for the money.
What is the best mini lathe for money?
Based on their prices, the best mini-lathes for the money are:
- RIKON 70-105 10” *18” Mini lathe
- Grizzly Industrial T25926 Benchtop Wood lathe
- Shop Fox W1 704 Mini-Wood lathe
For further details, be sure to check out recently updated wood lathe on a budget guide for an absolute killer deal.
What can be made on a mini lathe?
Here are some small projects that beginners or seasoned experts can cover: Bangles, bottle stoppers, wooden rings, pens, bowls, goblets, and flowerpots, etc,
Furthermore, a miniature wood lathe has various purposes as highlighted in the article above.
Doug is a passionate woodworking enthusiast and the founding editor of the popular woodworking blog WoodyManReviews. With a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and a love for working with wood, Doug has dedicated his career to sharing knowledge and expertise with fellow woodworking enthusiasts. To this day, he still leads writing efforts on the blog, supervising the team of talented writers at his disposal.
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