How do I choose the right wood turning lathe for my projects?

When choosing a wood turning lathe, think about the size and type of items you want to make. For small projects like pens or bottle stoppers, a mini benchtop lathe is a great space-saving option. If you're interested in turning bowls, platters, or medium spindles, a midi lathe offers more power and versatility. For large bowls, table legs, or architectural pieces, a full-size lathe gives you the most capacity and stability. Consider the maximum spindle length, swing over bed (the largest diameter you can turn), and variable speed control—these features make a big difference in handling different woods and shapes. If you're just getting started or need something portable, go small and upgrade as you grow!

What’s the difference between mini, midi, and full-size wood turning lathes?

The main differences are size, power, and the types of projects each can handle. Mini wood turning lathes are compact, perfect for detailed work on pens, chess pieces, and small craft items—they fit easily on a workbench. Midi lathes are mid-sized and can tackle small to medium bowls, platters, and spindles, making them great for hobbyists or woodworkers with limited space. Full-size lathes are the largest, with the power and capacity for heavy, large-diameter projects like furniture legs or big serving bowls. Decide based on your available space, budget, and the kinds of pieces you want to create.

What features should I look for in a wood turning lathe for precision and safety?

Look for a wood turning lathe with a variable-speed motor, which lets you adjust the RPM for different types of wood and project sizes. A stable, heavy-duty base reduces vibration and makes your work safer and more accurate. Tool rests should be easy to adjust and solid to keep your hands steady during detailed cuts. Good lathes also offer ergonomic controls, secure wood mounting systems, and clear safety instructions. Many models include safety features like emergency shut-off switches and shielded belts for peace of mind while turning.

How do I maintain my wood turning lathe to ensure it lasts and works smoothly?

Regular maintenance keeps your lathe running safely and efficiently. Wipe down the bed and components after each use to remove dust and wood shavings. Check that moving parts like the tailstock, tool rest, and spindle spin freely—lubricate them with recommended oil as needed. Tighten all bolts and screws regularly, especially after heavy use. Inspect belts for wear and replace them if needed, and make sure your electrical cords are in good condition. Following these steps helps prevent issues and ensures your lathe continues to produce precise, smooth results.

What kinds of projects can I make with a wood turning lathe from this collection?

Wood turning lathes from our collection are designed to handle a wide variety of projects. You can make everything from tiny, detailed pens and bottle stoppers (using a mini benchtop or pen lathe attachment), to medium-sized bowls and platters (with a midi lathe), all the way up to large vases, architectural pillars, or table legs (on a full-size lathe or hollowing lathe). With features like variable speed and adjustable tool rests, these lathes give you creative freedom—whether you're a beginner making gifts or a pro crafting matching furniture sets. The right lathe helps you turn your ideas into beautifully finished pieces, safely and efficiently.

Wood Turning Lathes

Wood turning lathes spin your workpiece at controlled speeds, transforming raw timber into symmetrical forms—bowls, pens, spindles, table legs, and more. By mounting and rotating the block, these machines let you shape curves, hollows, and details with precision tools, accelerating projects and unlocking techniques that freehand carving alone can’t achieve.

🔥 See other categories in this collection! 🔥

Limited‑Time Deals

16% OFF

Shop Fox M1015 6-Inch by 10-Inch Micro Lathe

$1,125.00 $1,350.00

4% OFF

CREWORKS Mini Metal Lathe 9" x 30" Benchtop Metal Lathe with 3 Jaw Chuck and 3000rpm Max. Spindle Speed, 1100W Metalworking Machine with LCD Display, Metal Lathe Machine for Threading Turning Drilling

$1,299.99 $1,359.99

0% OFF

Rikon 12" x 16-1/2" VSRK Midi Lathe with Z3 Chuck System Model 70-1516VSRK

$949.00 $949.99

10% OFF

Mini Lathe Machine, 96W Wood Lathe Milling Machine for Table, Mini Wood Lathe,Used for Processing Small Leaf Rosewood, Basswood, Mmahogany

$26.99 $29.99

14% OFF

BEILOCKERY Metal Lathe RC-210E Automatic Inch/Metric Conversion 1100W Benchtop Electronic Gear Lathe Machine 50-2500rpm Variable Speed 8"*39" Electronic Pulse Precision Wood Horizontal Processer 110V

$2,205.00 $2,569.00

27% OFF

INTSUPERMAI Mini Metal Lathe 8"×39" Benchtop Imperial/Metric Lathe Auto Switch Between Metric and Imperial with Centre Frame & Drill Chuck Electronic Leadscrew Gearless 1100W Variable Speed 110V

$2,185.00 $2,999.00

17% OFF

BEILOCKERY Mini Metal Lathe CJ0618 Metric Thread 750W Benchtop Precision Metal Wood Horizontal Lathe 0-2500rpm Variable Speed 7"*14" 110V for Teaching and Production

$855.00 $1,039.00

19% OFF

INTBUYING Metal Lathe 8''x16'' Benchtop Mini Lathe Machine Precision Hobby DIY Lathe Industrial Metal Wood Working Table Lathe 900W Brushless 50-2500RPM MT5 Spindle Taper Metric Thread WM210V 110V

$1,039.00 $1,288.50

2% OFF

EssSthmy Mini Metal Lathe Machine, 36W 20000 RPM, Benchtop Lathe for Woodworking DIY,Crafting Wood & Soft Metal

$142.00 $145.00

20% OFF

VEVOR Didactical Mini Metal Lathe Machine, 2.76 x 5.12 in, 36W Power Metal Lathe, 20,000 RPM Speed, with 3-jaw Chuck, Aluminum Alloy Handwheel, for Processing Precision Parts Soft Metals Wood Plastics

$131.90 $165.99

10% OFF

VEVOR 7'' x 16'' Metal Lathe Machine, 800W Precision Benchtop Power Metal Lathe, 150-2500 RPM Continuously Variable Speed, with 3.9'' 3-jaw Metal Chuck Come with Tool Box

$679.90 $759.99

23% OFF

WOODSTARTER 12" x 18" Wood Turning Lathe, 1 HP Benchtop Woodworking Lathe with Variable Speed 650-3800 RPM, Dual-Function Design with Extension Ports for Belt Sander or Grinding Wheel or Rotary Kit

$459.99 $599.00

7% OFF

Onetuon Mini Wood Lathe Milling Machine Multi-Purpose Type Lathe with Wood Lathe Milling Accessories, for Wood Polishing, Grinding, Cutting and Milling ，2.76 in x 6.3 in, 24VDC 96W，7 Speeds

$64.99 $69.99

33% OFF

12000RPM 6 in 1Multipurpose Mini Lathe,Versatile Metal Lathe Tool, Motorized Jigsaw Grinder Wood Metal Lathe,Assembled 6 Kinds of Different Lathes,Process Soft,Non - Ferrous,Precious Metals,Wood

$122.22 $183.50

3% OFF

Mini Lathe Machine Multi-Purpose Lathe With Professional Tools Torno Para Madera Cutting Grinding Polishing Desktop Metal Lathes Easy To Use

$62.96 $64.96

9% OFF

VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe, 8"x14", Mini Lathe Machine 2250 PRM Variable Speed Change, Precision Mini Lathe 650W Metal Working Lathe, Small Metal Lathe, Milling Machine for Various Types of Metal Turning

$578.39 $641.99

King Industrial
King Industrial Variable Speed Pen Lathe – 8” X 13”

Regular price $369.98

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
17% off

Shop Fox
Shop Fox M1015 6-Inch by 10-Inch Micro Lathe

Sale price $1,125.00 Regular price $1,350.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
Computerized Sherline CNC control (Windows OS)
Sherline 4000C INCH Version 8" Lathe + The C Package. (CNC Upgrade not Included but can be Purchase Separately.)

Regular price $1,308.71

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
4% off

CREWORKS
CREWORKS Mini Metal Lathe 9" x 30" Benchtop Metal Lathe with 3 Jaw Chuck and 3000rpm Max. Spindle Speed, 1100W Metalworking Machine with LCD Display, Metal Lathe Machine for Threading Turning Drilling

Sale price $1,299.99 Regular price $1,359.99

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
RIKON Power Tools
Rikon 12" x 16-1/2" VSRK Midi Lathe with Z3 Chuck System Model 70-1516VSRK

Sale price $949.00 Regular price $949.99

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
PSI Woodworking
PSI Woodworking TCLT12VS Turncrafter Commander Tailspinner 12" Variable Speed Midi Lathe

Regular price $689.95

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
TECHTONGDA
TECHTONGDA Metal Lathe 8X16” Precision Electronic Leadscrew Gearless Bench Lathe Automatic Switch Thread between Metric and Inch 1100W Brushless Motor DIY Mini Lathe

Regular price $1,469.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
Proxxon
Proxxon Fine Lathe FD 150/E, Precise Lathe with 2-Stage Belt Drive, Speed Control, Spindle Speeds up to 5,000/min, Item No. 24150

Regular price $771.57

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
INTBUYING
INTBUYING 8"x32" Benchtop Metal Lathe Machine 1100W Brushless Gearless Motor 50-2500RPM, Horizontal Design for Precision Metal/Wood Working Imperial/Metric Conversion, RC-210E 110V

Regular price $1,715.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
Sold out

GarveeTech
GarveeTech Wood Lathe, 14" x 20", Power Wood Turning Lathe 400W, 4 Speed 1040/1480/2130/2980RPM, Benchtop Wood Lathe for High Speed Sanding and Polishing of Finished Work

Regular price $169.99

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
Sold out

Grizzly Industrial
Grizzly Industrial G0842-14" x 37" Wood Lathe with Copy Attachment

Regular price $1,490.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
Endvler
Wood Lathe,Benchtop Wood Lathe Machine 5 Variable Speeds 500/750/1150/1800/3200RPM for Woodworking-Perfect for Small Spaces & Precision Turning (10" x 18")

Regular price $299.99

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
EQCOTWEA
EQCOTWEA Metal Lathe 8''x39'' Benchtop Lathe Machine Pricision Hobby DIY Table Lathe Industrial Metal Wood Working Spinning Horizontal Lathe 1100W Brushless Motor 50-2500RPM Inch Thread WM210V 110V

Regular price $1,649.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
VEVOR
VEVOR Metal Lathe Machine, 8.7 x 18 in, Precision Bench Power Metal Lathe, Automatic Feed, 0-2500 RPM Variable Speed, 1250W Brushless Motor, for Processing Precision Parts Soft Metals Wood Plastics

Regular price $1,199.90

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
Sold out

WEN
WEN 34034 6-Amp 14" by 20" Variable Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe

Regular price $723.77

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
10% off

ZGEXING
Mini Lathe Machine, 96W Wood Lathe Milling Machine for Table, Mini Wood Lathe,Used for Processing Small Leaf Rosewood, Basswood, Mmahogany

Sale price $26.99 Regular price $29.99

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
14% off

BEILOCKERY
BEILOCKERY Metal Lathe RC-210E Automatic Inch/Metric Conversion 1100W Benchtop Electronic Gear Lathe Machine 50-2500rpm Variable Speed 8"*39" Electronic Pulse Precision Wood Horizontal Processer 110V

Sale price $2,205.00 Regular price $2,569.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
27% off

INTSUPERMAI
INTSUPERMAI Mini Metal Lathe 8"×39" Benchtop Imperial/Metric Lathe Auto Switch Between Metric and Imperial with Centre Frame & Drill Chuck Electronic Leadscrew Gearless 1100W Variable Speed 110V

Sale price $2,185.00 Regular price $2,999.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
Sold out

Grizzly Industrial
Grizzly Industrial T25920-12" x 18" Variable-Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe

Regular price $530.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details
18% off

BEILOCKERY
BEILOCKERY Mini Metal Lathe CJ0618 Metric Thread 750W Benchtop Precision Metal Wood Horizontal Lathe 0-2500rpm Variable Speed 7"*14" 110V for Teaching and Production

Sale price $855.00 Regular price $1,039.00

VIEW ON AMAZON

View details

🔥 Popular Keywords! 🔥

Wood Metal Industrial Soft Plastic Leaf Aluminum Multifunctional Green Glass

Explore CraftPath

Your complete journey from learning to creating — watch tutorials, read guides, shop curated collections, and get inspired by finished projects.

Explore CraftPath

Lathe Type	Ideal For	Key Features
Mini Benchtop Lathe	Pens, bottle stoppers, small spindles	Compact footprint, 7–12" swing, 12–18" bed
Midi Lathe	Bowls, platters, medium spindles	12–16" swing, 20–36" bed, moderate horsepower
Full-Size Lathe	Large bowls, architectural pieces	16–24" swing, 36+ " bed, heavy-duty motor
Pen Lathe Attachment	Dedicated pen turning	Low-profile casting, pen mandrel, quick change
Hollowing Lathe	Vases, hollow vessels	Long bed, hollowing tool supports, steady rest

FAQs

Got a question? We are here to answer

Wood Turning Lathes

Limited‑Time Deals

FiltersFilter & Sort

🔥 Popular Keywords! 🔥

Explore CraftPath

Wood Turning Lathe Benefits

Popular Wood Turning Lathe Categories

FAQs

🌲🌳Climate Action🌳🌲

Choose options