Best Power Metal Lathes of 2026
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Power metal lathes are essential tools for any metalworking enthusiast or professional. These machines are designed to cut and shape metal workpieces with precision and speed. With a powerful motor and adjustable speed settings, power metal lathes can handle a wide range of metalworking tasks, from turning and threading to drilling and boring. They come in various sizes and configurations to suit different needs, and some models even feature digital readouts and other advanced features for greater accuracy and convenience. Whether you're working on a small hobby project or a large-scale industrial application, a power metal lathe is a must-have tool for achieving professional results.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Power Metal Lathes
VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe, 7"x14"
VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe is a precision machine ideal for professionals. Its high-precision 3-jaw chuck handles square and round objects with ease, making it perfect for accurate tasks like threading. With a 550W motor, it can manage small to medium projects effectively. The metal gear design ensures durability, while features like automatic power-off protection and an LED lamp enhance safety and visibility. You can control the rotational speed from 50 to 2500rpm with the digital display, giving you complete command over your work.
VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe 8"x14"
The VEVOR Mini Lathe is a robust tool designed for metalworking enthusiasts. Its durable cast iron construction, paired with a powerful 600W motor, ensures long-lasting performance. You can easily adjust the speed from 50 to 2250 RPM, allowing you to customize your work for different tasks. The lathe also features a 3-jaw chuck that securely holds materials, while the turret post and cross slide enhance your ability to make precise cuts quickly. This mini lathe is ideal for both beginners and experienced users looking to create detailed models and parts.
VEVOR 8.3'' x 29.5'' Metal Lathe
The VEVOR Metal Lathe offers essential safety features such as an emergency stop switch and overload protection, ensuring you can work with peace of mind. Its continuously variable speed allows you to easily adjust the spindle from 100 to 2500 RPM, providing flexibility for various tasks. The powerful 750W brushless motor eliminates the hassle of brush replacements, saving you time. Built from durable HT200 cast iron, this lathe is designed for longevity, making it a reliable choice for your metalworking projects.
Mophorn Metal Lathe 7 x 12 Inch
The Mophorn Mini Metal Lathe is a sturdy and durable lathe machine made of high-grade iron, equipped with nylon gears for wear-resistance. With a powerful 550W motor, it offers variable speeds from 50-2250 RPM, allowing you to operate manually or with adjustable auto feed rate. The 3-jaw chuck ensures steady material setting, while the professional compound rest enables internal cutting, face cutting, and bevel cutting. The precision tapered roller bearings support the spindle with an accuracy of 0.01mm, providing you with precise metal turning capabilities.
MechMaxx 0831V 1.5HP Metal Lathe
The MechMaxx 1.5HP Metal Lathe offers reliable power with its sturdy 1.5 HP motor, making it suitable for a variety of machining projects. You can easily adjust the speed from 0 to 2500 RPM, giving you precise control to work with different materials smoothly. This lathe also allows you to cut both metric and inch threads, which is great for versatile threading needs. Plus, the durable one-piece spindle with a secure taper ensures your tools stay firmly in place, providing stability and long-lasting performance for your work.
VEVOR 7x14 Metal Lathe 550W
The VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe offers a sturdy build with its high-grade iron bed and durable nylon gears, ensuring long-lasting and precise operation. With a powerful 550W motor and variable speeds from 50 to 2500 RPM, you can easily adjust the rotation speed to suit different materials and projects. The lathe includes a precise 3-jaw self-centering chuck, which helps you hold cylindrical materials firmly for accurate work. Additionally, the professional compound rest allows you to make various cuts—internal, face, and bevel—by adjusting the tool post and cross slide, giving you versatile control for detailed machining tasks.
VEVOR 7"x14" Compact Metal Lathe
The VEVOR Compact Metal Lathe is built with a strong iron bed and nylon gears, making it durable and precise for your metalworking tasks. Its 550W motor offers reliable power, while the full-length splashguard keeps you safe from debris. You can easily adjust the speed anywhere from 0 to 2500 RPM, with forward and reverse options, giving you full control over your project’s pace. The 3-jaw self-centering chuck holds your materials firmly, ensuring steady and accurate turning. Plus, the professional compound rest lets you make detailed cuts from different angles, perfect for complex shaping and finishing jobs.
INTBUYING 8" Metal Benchtop Lathe 1100W Brushless
The INTBUYING Metal Benchtop Lathe offers great versatility for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. Its double chuck design allows you to work on longer shafts and pipes with improved precision, making it easier to handle complex projects. The powerful 1100W brushless motor ensures strong performance while keeping noise and energy use low, so you can work comfortably for extended periods. Built with a sturdy cast iron bed, this lathe provides excellent stability and durability for accurate machining. Plus, its adjustable spindle speed ranges from 50 to 2500 RPM, giving you the flexibility to match the speed to your specific task for better results.
CREWORKS 9" x 30" Mini Metal Lathe
The CREWORKS Mini Metal Lathe is a compact yet powerful machine, perfect for small to medium metalworking tasks thanks to its strong 1100W motor. You can easily control the spindle speed from 0 up to 3000 rpm and keep track of it on the clear digital display, giving you precise control over your work. The lathe’s 5-inch, 3-jaw chuck securely holds different shapes, making it ideal for detailed jobs like threading. Its solid cast iron build offers durability and resistance to rust, while the transparent guard keeps you safe without blocking your view during operation. This lathe combines power, precision, and safety in a user-friendly design.
Generic 7"x14" Mini Metal Lathe
The Generic Mini Metal Lathe offers precise machining with its high-accuracy spindle, ensuring your workpieces are fixed smoothly and machined to tight tolerances. You can enjoy versatile speed control with a digital display showing up to 2500 RPM, allowing you to adjust speeds manually or automatically for better control and safety, including an emergency stop. The professional composite tool holder makes switching between internal, face, and bevel cutting quick and easy, enhancing your efficiency. Built with a solid cast iron structure and a durable aluminum hand wheel, this lathe provides stability and accurate rotation, helping you handle both small and larger projects with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What size lathe is needed for gunsmithing?
For gunsmithing, a recommended size for a lathe is 14x40. This size is commonly mentioned as it provides enough space for specialized work while still being manageable in an average home-based workshop.
2. What is the difference between a lathe and a metal lathe?
The main difference between a lathe and a metal lathe is their intended use. A wood lathe is designed for wooden workpieces, while a metal lathe can handle both metal and wooden workpieces. Additionally, metal lathes tend to be larger and more complex than wood lathes, reflecting their broader range of applications and higher cost.
3. How much HP does a metal lathe need?
When considering a metal lathe, it is important to look at the available horsepower. Generally, a metal lathe should have at least 2 HP or more for adequate power to handle metal cutting tasks effectively.
4. What are the disadvantages of a metal lathe?
One of the main disadvantages of using a metal lathe is that it requires regular maintenance due to its high precision. This includes frequent cleaning and oiling to ensure proper functioning and longevity.
5. How much does a full size lathe cost?
The cost of a full-size lathe can vary depending on the type and level of functionality. Entry-level lathes suitable for DIY and small-scale applications can range from $100 to $10,000, while professional CNC lathes can exceed $500,000. Generally, wood lathes are cheaper compared to metal lathes, with prices ranging from $200 to $5,000 for a good-quality wood lathe.
6. What are the 3 types of lathe?
There are several types of lathes, including: speed lathe machine, center lathe or engine lathe machine, turret lathe machine, toolroom lathe machine, bench lathe machine, automatic lathe machine, special-purpose lathe machine, and CNC lathe machine.
During our power metal lathe research, we found 24 power metal lathe products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,659 customer reviews through our big data system to write the power metal lathes list. We found that most customers choose power metal lathes with an average price of $1,160.70.
The power metal lathes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of power metal lathes, including VEVOR, MechMaxx, INTBUYING, CREWORKS. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 449 consumers with an average rating of 4.1.
Harry Stack owns a small hardware store, his career landed him a depth of knowledge in categories such as tools, equipment, machinery and hardware. In his spare time, he usually repairs furniture, safes and appliances, and he knows how to make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures. His hobbies also include woodworking and fishing.