12 Best Wood Lathes for the Money 【Best of 2021】

This powerful lathe by Jet will easily turn large bowls as well as thick and long pieces of wood. If you decide to buy this great piece of machinery, do not fear pushing it’s 1 hp motor to the limit. It takes a lot to halt the motor. A LOT.

One of the best-reviewed product by Jet, this is easily one of the most acclaimed woodturning tools in the market right now. And Jet’s exceptional after-sale services adds further value to this already great machine.

You will rarely find a bad review of this product on Amazon, not even a four-star one. All the reviews are five stars. Period. This is because Jet has paid an extra emphasis on build quality featuring a cast-iron structure that will last you for years to come.

Being a variable speed lathe it has a range of 400 to 3000 rpm. It has a 141/2-inch swing over the bed and 40 inch between its center which enables it to handle wood projects of all sizes. Unlike many other lathes, it further includes a sliding and pivoting headstock which enhances its versatility and ease of use.

With a professional assembly and an exceptional build quality, this product by Jet is worth its price tag!

A highly durable wood lathe that is ready to tackle any wood project you throw at it. This product by Grizzly is perhaps the best value one can get in a budget buy. Yes! This is easily a budget buy when you consider its top of the line quality and exceptional reliability.

As its name suggests, this is an industrial-grade machine that is designed for performing well under heavy loads. In spite of being targeted towards professionals, this product is easy to use and beginner-friendly.  So its name shouldn’t intimidate you even if you’re just starting out.

Grizzly has long enjoyed a reputation for manufacturing well-built products for commercial use, so buying this product may be seen as a long term investment. Don’t expect to be bothered by frequent maintenance issues or parts replacements.

With an over the bed swing of 16 inches and a 46 inch distance between centers, it is capable of handling large wooden materials effectively.

Features like the digital readout and variable speed control further enhance the user experience and ease of use. Furthermore, Grizzly offers an exceptional customer support service along with a 1-year warranty for all of its products. So if you take your woodwork seriously, this is exactly what you should be looking for!

This compact lathe by Delta is a solid offering that will give you a bang for your buck! With a cast-iron structure that is built to last, it’s 1. hp motor is powerful enough for turning tough materials with ease.

It’s large center to center distance makes it ideal for people working with long materials. Plus the manufacturers have carefully placed all the knobs and switches you need in a way that’s easy to find. Definitely among the best wood lathes for commercial use.

This is perhaps the best mid-sized wood lathe present in the market. It packs enough power to perform all sorts of heavy-duty tasks

So whether you’re a beginner, a hobbyist, or a seasoned professional, this can be the right product for your needs! This is unarguably one of the best products you can get your hands on. Period.

Packed with a powerful 1. hp motor it has the power to turn projects of all levels. With a 12.5″ swing and 20″ capacity in between centers, this is a great contender for heavy woodturning without any interruption.

It also features a 24 position index head that increases accuracy, which is all you need for making precise patterns and delicate designs. It also has an rpm range of 250-3,8250 making it quite versatile in regards to functionality and use.

This is the type of machine that boosts creativity and grants artistic freedom. Woodworking is an art after all!

This high-value offering by Laguna is a sophisticated system with perhaps one of the best build quality and attention to detail than most products on this list. It offers smooth transitions from low to high speed with plenty of torque, which is partly due to its three-phase power system.

It offers a speed range of 50-3500 rpm, where the speed can be infinitely controlled in between this range with the help of an intuitive dial control. With its body made from anodized aluminum, it features a user-friendly control panel with a digital rpm readout.

Consists of a spring-loaded spindle lock which has the highest outbound swing of 32-inches, there is nothing this lathe cannot achieve. In spite of being on the expensive side of the spectrum, we believe this to be the ultimate top wood lathe that offers high value for each penny spent.

Another entry by Jet is not unusual as this brand is a market leader. This is one of those machines which offers a bang for your buck. It can be seen as an all-rounder that offers you great control over your project unlike anything else.

Featuring a variable speed range of 60-3600 rpm, a digital rpm readout, and a forward/backward drive option, all with the mission of granting you absolute control and precision over your material. This lathe has all the qualities needed for effective woodturning.

It is also relatively cheaper than other machines with similar specs. With a swing of 12-1/2”  and a distance of 20-1/2” in between its centers, this is a highly acclaimed bestseller that is worth investing in!

If you’re a beginner who’s just starting out or you simply don’t require a full fledge lathe system for enormous wood projects, then this product by Nova will certainly strike your interest. This might be the best wood lathe out there for your budget.

With a 12” swing over the bed and 16.5” distance in between its centers, this machine offers a significant turning capacity which is more than enough for most wood projects.

Unless you’re a professional who intends to work on very large scale projects, this machine will never fall short of delivering the best quality. With a speed range of 250 – 4,000 RPM, this product will easily cater to the majority of your woodturning needs.

Moreover, it includes most of the top-notch features like digital rpm readout, variable speed control, forward and backward drive switch, and much more for a relatively low price.

One of the most powerful mini-lathes in its segment, this machine by Rikon offers work quality that rivals some of the best products in the market. And it does so at quite an affordable price.

A variable speed lathe with a 1/2 hp motor, it also consists of a 3 pulley system that produces increased torque. With a 12 inch over the bed swing and 16 inches in between centers, it has a decent swing capacity.

Furthermore, it offers multiple bed extension options that add to its versatility. Other features like quick speed changes, dual purpose spindle lock, and adjustable spindle speeds add more value to this great machine.

A versatile wood lathe with a 10 inch over the bed swing and 8 inches in between centers, this might be a good one for beginner use.

Even though it might not compare well with all the high-end products on this list, it still deserves a mention because of its affordable price range and the quality it offers.

With a 550w motor and a 500-3800 rpm speed range, it offers reasonable power that is enough for moderate projects.

It also includes most mainstream features like digital rpm readout, a top drive and a 3 inch faceplate that come with most top market wood lathes. Considering its price, this might appeal to individuals who are just starting out their wood journey.

A decent offering by PSI, this lathe has a 12 inch swing over the bed and an 18 inch distance in between its center. With a speed range of 500-3800 rpm powered by a 1 hp motor, this machine also offers an optional bed extension for up to 42 inches.

Apart from all the conventional features, it additionally brings along a lot of accessories for free e.g. a knockout road, four hex wrenches, rubber feet set, safety glasses and a Philip screwdriver etc.

Overall a good product, but you’ll have to remove the belt cover each time for changing the speed variation which can be a bit frustrating.

Another entry on our list is this fairly priced machine by Shop Fox. Certainly not the best lathe on the market but nonetheless an affordable option that won’t break your bank. This solid offering is a reliable machine.

Packing all the conventional features of many top-notch best wood lathes, this machine has a sizeable fan base that considers it worth buying.

It has an over the bed swing of 12 inches and a 38-inch distance in between its centers. This enables it to handle fairly large wooden pieces.

Consisting of two speed ranges of 500-1800 rpm & 1000-3800 rpm, it is powered by a 3/4 hp motor with variable speed control. If you want a lathe for large projects but can’t pay the extra price, this just might work for you.

Another lathe that makes it to this list is this product by Wen. A mid-size wood lathe, this product has been a popular one among beginners and enthusiasts, who want top of the line features without spending for a huge price tag.

All your needs will be met if you choose to invest in this product. Wen has long been in the game and is revered by many as a leading brand. It has enjoyed success among woodworkers world over.

With an over the bed swing of and a distance in between centers, it has a decent swing capacity that can handle a range of materials with versatility. It comes with a digital rpm readout and variable speed control. The speed range is 500-2500 rpm powered by a 4.5 amp motor, this lathe is certainly not on the expensive end of the spectrum. Which is exactly the reason for its appeal to many.

But keep in mind this machine is not fit for heavy use. Many customers have reported electrical issues where the motor stops working. Others also complain that its build quality is not meant for bearing heavy workload.

But if you only want to pursue woodwork as a hobby, you won’t be disappointed by this fairly priced gadget. Instead, its versatility might surprise you!