Best Power Wood Lathes of 2026
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Power wood lathes are an essential tool for any woodworker or craftsman. These machines enable the user to shape and turn wood into beautifully crafted objects such as bowls, table legs, and even baseball bats. Power wood lathes come in a variety of sizes and styles, ranging from small tabletop models to large industrial machines. They are powered by electricity and can turn wood at varying speeds, allowing for precise control and accuracy. With the ability to create intricate designs and smooth finishes, power wood lathes are a must-have for any woodworking enthusiast.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Power Wood Lathes
WEN LA3421 Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe
The WEN Mini Wood Lathe is a versatile and compact lathe that is perfect for turning pens, bowls, cups, chess pieces, and other small workpieces. With its 8-inch swing over the bed and a 13-inch distance between centers, it provides ample space for your projects. The soft-start 3.2-amp motor ensures a gradual start to prevent damage and maximize safety. The variable speed feature allows you to adjust the speed anywhere from 750 to 3200 RPM, giving you full control over your turning projects. This lathe comes with a 2.3-inch face plate, an MT1 spindle and tailstock taper, two interchangeable tool rests, and a two-year warranty. Experience the convenience and precision of the WEN Mini Wood Lathe for all your woodworking needs.
VEVOR 14" x 40" Wood Lathe
The VEVOR Wood Lathe is designed for both professional and DIY woodworkers, featuring a spacious 40-inch workbench that allows you to tackle various woodworking projects with ease. Its sturdy aluminum alloy base and solid steel headstock minimize vibrations, providing you with precise and stable operations. With a powerful 0.5 HP motor, you can achieve speeds of up to 2425 RPM, making high-speed cutting and planing effortless. The four adjustable speeds ensure that you can customize your cutting pace to suit different tasks, giving you greater control over your work.
JET JWL-1221VS 12" x 21" Wood Lathe
The JET JWL-1221VS Wood Lathe features a patent-pending ratchet-style belt tension system, three speed ranges that can be easily adjusted with digital readout, and convenient controls. It also includes a tool storage caddy on each end of the machine, a removable safety key, and smooth directional control. Recommended circuit size is 10 Amps, and it falls under the category of Power Metal Lathes.
WEN 6-Amp 14-Inch by 20-Inch Variable Speed Wood Lathe
The WEN 6-Amp 14-Inch by 20-Inch Variable Speed Wood Lathe is perfect for turning bowls, cups and other workpieces up to 20 inches long and 14 inches wide. With a variable speed range from 250 to 3550 rotations per minute, it can tackle a wide variety of tasks. The lathe is equipped with a 4-inch faceplate, MT2 tailstock and headstock tapers, and a 1"- 8 spindle thread to accommodate different lathe accessories. It also features a 6A motor, MT2 spur center, MT2 live center, 8-inch tool rest, and onboard accessory holder for added convenience.
CXRCY 8" x 12" Mini Wood Lathe
The CXRCY Mini Wood Lathe offers adjustable speeds from 750 to 3200 RPM, allowing you to control the turning speed precisely for different woodworking projects. With a 12-inch distance between centers and an 8-inch swing over the bed, you have enough space to work on a variety of wood sizes easily. The tailstock is adjustable, helping you achieve accurate and stable turning every time. This lathe is powerful enough to help you start creating beautiful wood pieces, and it comes with safety goggles to protect your eyes from flying wood chips. It’s a great tool for both beginners and experienced woodworkers.
JET 10" x 15" Variable Speed Wood Lathe
This power wood lathe has a 15-1/2" distance between centers and features an integrated 24-position indexing system, allowing you to easily make precise cuts. It also has three variable-speed ranges (200–1,050/300–1,750/600–3,600) and wider bed ways for increased stability. The improved tensioning system with easier access to belts and a live center in the tailstock make it simple to change out tools and accessories, making it an ideal choice for any woodworking enthusiast.
ARTYMASTER WM101A-Plus Mini Wood Lathe
The ARTYMASTER Mini Wood Lathe is designed to make your DIY woodworking projects easier and more precise. Its sturdy steel base and headstock reduce vibrations and noise, helping you work comfortably and accurately. Powered by a strong 96W motor, it can handle various materials like hardwood, copper, and plastic, allowing you to create items such as bowls, pens, or rings. You can easily adjust the speed to match the material you're working on, thanks to its infinitely variable speed control. Plus, the adjustable tool rest gives you better control, improving your cutting accuracy and overall project quality.
GAOMON 14" x 40" Benchtop Wood Lathe
The GAOMON Benchtop Wood Lathe is a versatile tool designed for both hobbyists and professionals. Its spacious 40-inch workbench gives you plenty of room to handle various woodworking projects comfortably. The sturdy aluminum alloy base and steel headstock work together to reduce vibrations, helping you achieve precise and steady results. With a powerful 400W motor, this lathe can reach speeds up to 2980 RPM, making high-speed cutting and shaping tasks quicker and more efficient. Additionally, it offers four adjustable speed settings, allowing you to customize the speed according to the complexity of your project and the type of wood you’re working with.
hightall 12x18 Wood Lathe 550W
The hightall 5-Speed Wood Lathe offers a powerful 550W motor that delivers steady performance, helping you work on both delicate and tough wood projects without overheating. You can choose from five different speed settings, allowing you to easily adjust the spindle speed to match your task for better control and precision. Its heavy-duty cast iron bed keeps the machine stable and reduces vibrations, so your wood turns out smooth and accurate. Plus, with a 12-inch maximum working diameter and 18-inch center distance, you have plenty of space to handle a variety of woodworking projects with ease.
VEVOR Benchtop Wood Lathe
VEVOR Wood Lathe is a professional DIY tool with a sturdy and stable design, powered by a high-frequency motor offering 5 adjustable speeds. The high-quality materials minimize vibrations for precise operations. The powerful motor enables high-speed cutting and planing, improving work efficiency. With 5-speed control, you can easily adjust for different cutting requirements, giving you precise control over your woodworking projects. Complete with professional accessories, this wood lathe provides convenience and comprehensive tools for all your DIY needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a good horsepower for a wood lathe?
When it comes to wood lathes, a good horsepower range is between 3/4 HP to 2 HP. Mini wood lathes typically have a power output of 3/4 HP, while full-size wood lathes average at 2 HP. The horsepower of the lathe depends on the intended use and the size of the projects you plan to work on.
2. What is the best lathe speed for sanding?
For sanding on a lathe, it is recommended to set the speed at around 250 rpm. It is important to use light pressure while sanding, allowing the sandpaper to do the work instead of applying excessive pressure. This helps to avoid generating excessive heat during the sanding process.
3. Is green or dry wood better for lathe?
When it comes to turning on a lathe, green wood is generally easier to work with compared to dried wood. Turning dried wood can create more sawdust and fewer shavings. Additionally, the friction between the wood and the tool can generate heat, making the turning process more uncomfortable for unprotected hands in some cases.
4. What is a good size wood lathe?
The size of a wood lathe depends on the projects you plan to work on. For most hobbyists and craftsmen working on smaller pieces, a 3" x 15" lathe is typically the smallest size recommended. On the other hand, a 6" x 30" lathe is considered the upper end of what a home lathe can be. It's important to consider the weight of the lathe as well, as they can be quite heavy.
5. Is it OK to use a metal lathe for wood?
Yes, it is possible to use a metal lathe for wood. While wood lathes are designed specifically for wooden workpieces, metal lathes can accommodate both wooden and metal workpieces. However, it is essential to ensure that the lathe is properly set up and adjusted for wood turning to achieve the best results.
6. How big of a wood lathe do I need?
The size of the wood lathe you need depends on the type and size of projects you plan to work on. For most hobbyists and craftsmen working on smaller pieces, a 3" x 15" lathe is typically the smallest size recommended. On the other hand, a 6" x 30" lathe forms the upper end of what a home lathe can be. Consider the weight of the lathe as well, as they can be quite heavy.
During our power wood lathe research, we found 24 power wood lathe products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,596 customer reviews through our big data system to write the power wood lathes list. We found that most customers choose power wood lathes with an average price of $279.70.
The power wood lathes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of power wood lathes, including WEN, VEVOR, Jet, CXRCY, ARTYMASTER. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
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.