A mini lathe is a valuable tool for any woodturning workshop. It is specifically designed for light and medium-duty projects and will help you to craft a workpiece to a highly precise standard.
One of the most versatile woodworking machines, you can use a mini lathe to turn a pen, chair spindles, table legs, sand and knurl bowls, create intricate chess pieces, musical instruments, and miniature model ships.
Woodworkers who have limited benchtop space will especially benefit from using this smaller style lathe. As it has a compact benchtop design, you can set it up on your worktable and still have enough room for other woodworking tools like a chisel set or a planer.
The 7 Best Mini Lathes
- WEN 3421 Benchtop Mini Wood Lathe
- JET JWL-1015 Wood Lathe
- RIKON Power Tools 70-105 Mini Lathe
- Excelsior Mini Lathe
- XtremepowerUS Wood Lathe
- Delta Industrial 46-460 Midi Lathe (Our Top Pick)
- SHOP FOX W1704 Benchtop Lathe
Our Top Pick for the Best Mini Lathe
Our top pick for the best mini lathe is the Delta Industrial 46-460 Midi Lathe. Whatever type of woodturning project you have planned, you need the Delta Industrial mini lathe in your workshop.
Trusted by millions of industry professionals everywhere, the Delta Industrial mini-lathe has all the features you need to accomplish your wood-crafting goals to an incredibly high standard the first time around.
Check the price on AmazonHow to Choose the Best Mini Lathe
1. Power
Mini lathes are usually powered by a ½, ¾, 1, or 1.3 HP (horsepower) motor. It is very important that the motor has enough power to match your particular project.
For light-duty woodturning tasks, a ½ or ¾ HP motor is very strong and provides sufficient spindle turning power. If you have medium-duty carpentry tasks, a 1 HP or 1.3 HP motor delivers plenty of power for busy hobbyists and professional wood-turning needs.
2. Speed
A variable-speed motor delivers speeds from 500 RPM up to a whopping 3900 or 4000 RPM. Having the option to choose from multiple speeds gives you great control over your workpiece.
Mini lathes that have a forward and reverse speed switch like the Delta Industrial 46-460 Midi Lathe will help you to achieve a superior smooth-to-the-touch finish on your workpieces.
3. Construction
The construction of a mini wood lathe is extremely important as it ensures the tool’s long-term durability and minimizes any vibrations. Cast iron is the best metal for a lathe as this type of steel is solid and sturdy but it can make the lathe very heavy to move.
4. Design
Before you choose your mini lathe, you need to think about its overall design. Can it accommodate the length and thickness of the wood you plan to turn? The size of the lathe relates to the distance between centers (the headstock and the tailstock). You also have to consider the length of the swing-over bed and the tool rest.
A 12½-inches lathe like the WEN 3421 Benchtop Mini Wood Lathe is ideal for most workpieces. If you need to work with longer and thick workpieces consider a 15-inches or an 18-inches lathe like the RIKON Power Tools 70-105 Mini Lathe. Some lathes can be used with an extension table for additional workpiece versatility like the JET JWL-1015 Wood Lathe.
5. Spindle
Mini lathes usually have a 1-inch spindle with 8 threads per inch (TPI). This size is perfect for most wood-turning tasks but may not be ideal for heavy-duty work.
6. Faceplate
If you need to work with non-spindle pieces like turning a bowl, a 3 or 5-inches steel faceplate will suit more intricate woodturning tasks and craft projects. A faceplate may not work in reverse or be ideal for finishing or sanding, so you will need to check out these details with the manufacturer.
7. Tool Rest
A tool rest is an excellent feature as it provides a convenient holding place for your woodturning tools. Mini lathes will have 1 or 2 tool rests and a stable mounting post to keep the rest securely in position.
The tool rest should also have a smooth metal surface for your turning tools to glide across, and a comfortable contoured shape that makes it easy to shape your piece of wood.
8. Additional Helpful Features
Mini lathes may come with other helpful features. A live center in the tailstock, a headstock spur center, a tailstock cup center, a lever clamping system, an on/off switch with a safety lock, a convenient belt access door, a knockout bar, and a faceplate wrench.
7 Best Mini Lathes – Reviews
1. WEN 3421 Benchtop Mini Wood Lathe
The WEN 3421 Benchtop Mini Wood Lathe is a great tool for turning pens, bowls, cups, creating chess pieces, and other small workpieces.
Powered by a super-strong 3.2 amp motor that provides 50% more power than most 8-inch wood lathes, you will have plenty of woodturning power for light to medium-duty projects. As the motor starts slowly, it gives you greater control over your workpiece and maximizes tool safety. You can adjust the tool’s speed from 750-3200 RPM with a simple twist of the variable speed knob, and the on/off switch has a safety lock.
Built strong from sturdy cast iron construction, the WEN ensures long-lasting tool life. Its compact size means the lathe will fit onto a benchtop with room to spare for other tools.
The lathe has a 1-inch spindle that can be used with wood pieces that are 12-inches long and 8-inches wide and the 2.3-inch faceplate is ideal for turning non-spindle workpieces.
You can turn wood with confidence as the spindle and the tailstock tightly grip a workpiece. Two interchangeable tool rests provide added support for other woodworking tools during operation. Adjusting the tool rest and tailstock is very simple due to the easy-to-use lever clamping system.
The WEN mini wood lathe also comes with a headstock spur center, a tailstock cup center, a knockout rod, and a flat wrench.
WEN offers a 2-year warranty on this mini-lathe.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Sturdy and compact design
- Perfect for pens, chess pieces, and other small workpieces
- Powerful soft start motor
- On/off switch has a safety lock
- Wide range of variable speeds from 750-3200 RPM
- 2.3-inch faceplate is ideal for non-spindle workpieces
- Spindle and tailstock tightly grip a workpiece
- Two interchangeable tool rests
- Easy-to-use lever clamping system
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Not enough power for larger tasks or professional use
- Heavy
2. JET JWL-1015 Wood Lathe
If you are a newbie woodworker or you need another lathe for your shop, the newly designed JET JWL-1015 Wood Lathe is very easy to use and produces consistent woodturning results.
Built from cast iron, the JET mini lathe is sturdy and durable and the wider bed provides extra stability. Its extra powerful 1.2 HP motor has 6 spindle speeds from 500-3975 RPM, so you have loads of task versatility at your command. If you have a small workspace, the Jet’s motor delivers a smooth and quiet performance.
Highly versatile, this full-featured lathe can be used for turning bowls, furniture legs, chair spindles, or shaping hollow vessels. It has a 15½-inches distance between centers that lets you work with longer workpieces.
Integrated 24 position indexing is ideal for cutting fluting and veining. The improved tensioning system allows for quick belt changes. It has a live center in the tailstock and a 7-5/16-inches swing-over tool rest base.
Another important feature is the lathe’s 77lbs lightweight design which makes it easier to move than other mini-lathes. You can even add an extension table for working with even longer workpieces.
Jet offers a 5-year warranty on the mini-lathe.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Ideal for a beginner or professional
- Easy to use
- Delivers consistent results
- Sturdy and durable cast iron construction
- Wider bed ways provide increased rigidity
- 7-5/16-inches swing-over tool rest
- 15½-inches between centers
- Six spindle speeds
- Integrated 24 position indexing
- Live center in the tailstock
- Improved tensioning system provides easier access to belts
- Lightweight
- Extension table can be added to the lathe
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- No reverse speed
3. RIKON Power Tools 70-105 Mini Lathe
Designed at the request of pen turners who wanted a sturdy, dedicated machine for their craft, the RIKON Power Tools 70-105 Mini Lathe is perfect for any woodworker.
The strong smooth-running ½ HP motor provides ample power and its 500-3200 RPM speeds offer you lots of turning versatility.
Built to last, this mini lathe has a cast iron construction and its new scaled-down design minimizes any vibration, unlike other lathes that are made of aluminum.
As the lathe has a 10-inches swing-over bed and 18-inches between centers, you can perform a wide range of woodturning tasks such as boring barrel holes, roughing out pen billets, and turning, shaping, or finishing wood.
Other must-have features include a self-ejecting tailstock, a 6-inches tool rest, a live center, a knock-out bar, and wrenches.
RIKON Power Tools offers a 5-year warranty on the mini-lathe.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Perfect for any woodworker
- Ideal for boring barrel holes, roughing out pen billets, turning, shaping, and finishing
- Strong motor provides ample power
- Five speeds from 500-3200 RPM
- Smooth running performance
- Minimal vibration
- Sturdy cast iron construction
- Generous 10-inches swing-over bed and 18-inches between centers
- Self-ejecting tailstock
- 6-inches tool rest, live center, a knock-out bar, and wrenches
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Pricey
- Not enough power for large projects
4. Excelsior Mini Lathe
The Excelsior Mini Lathe is an impressive woodturning tool and it will suit anyone who loves to craft wood.
This woodturning workhorse rivals larger lathes and will help you to complete all your projects with better precision. Its solid cast-iron construction and non-slip feet provide stable turning and maximum durability.
The robust ½ HP motor is powerful and offers you 5 different speeds: 760, 1100, 1600, 2200, and 3200 RPM. If you are new to woodturning, the Excelsior is very easy to use and produces minimal vibration.
You can use the lathe for carpentry or hobby-related woodturning tasks such as turning 10-inches bowls and spindles up to 17¾-inches in length. It has a 1 x 8 TPI spindle with an MT2 taper, a 3-inches faceplate for non-spindle items, and a 6-inches tool rest.
Belt changes are effortless due to the convenient belt access door. The ball-bearing live center on the tailstock allows for improved wood finishing and the removable safety switch ensures safer operation. Other great features include a spur center on the headstock, cam-locking ratcheting adjustment levers, and a heavy-duty knockout bar.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware offers a 100% 90-day money-back guarantee on the mini lathe.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Solid cast iron construction
- Minimal vibration
- Non-slip feet
- Impressive workhorse performance
- Robust ½ HP motor
- Five speeds from 760-3200 RPM
- Turns bowls up to 10-inches in diameter and spindles up to 17¾-inches
- 6-inches tool rest
- 3-inches faceplate for non-spindle pieces
- Convenient belt access door
- Removable safety switch
- Ball-bearing live center on the tailstock
- Cam-locking ratcheting adjustment levers
- Spur center on the headstock
- Heavy-duty knockout bar
Cons
- Heavy
- Power cord comes loose easily
- 90-day money-back guarantee only
5. XtremepowerUS Wood Lathe
Powerful and versatile, the XtremepowerUS Wood Lathe is the perfect accessory for woodworking enthusiasts who have larger projects to complete.
The lathe has a solid, strong, and sturdy steel frame that helps to reduce vibration during use. Compact and portable, this lathe maintains a low profile on your workbench, but it also offers you a high capacity performance and the stability of larger machines.
Its strong ½ HP motor has 4 adjustable 1100-3400 RPM variable speeds, so you can dial in low, medium, or high speeds to suit just about any type of task.
You can use this woodworking lathe to turn pens or larger bowls, create wood pattern projects such as straight fluting, grooving, drilling, or anything else that takes your fancy.
The lathe has a 14-inch swing-over bed capacity and an extremely generous 40-inch distance between centers.
The lathe also comes with a faceplate, a spur center, a live tailstock, and a tool rest.
There are several accessories available to customize the lathe, so you can tailor it to fit your different needs.
XtremepowerUS offers a 30-day no-hassle return guarantee on the wood lathe.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Powerful
- Versatile
- Low, medium, and high-speed ranges
- Strong and sturdy solid steel frame
- Low-profile design
- Produces minimal vibrations
- Ideal for turning larger bowls
- Very good 14-inch swing capacity
- Extremely generous 40-inch distance between centers
- Faceplate
- Tool rest
- Spur center
- Live tailstock
- 30-day no-hassle return guarantee
Cons
- Can have trouble gripping pieces
- Adjusting the speed is a bit awkward
- A bit heavy
- No mention of a warranty
6. Delta Industrial 46-460 Midi Lathe
The Delta Industrial 46-460 Midi Lathe is an excellent choice for a woodworking enthusiast or a professional carpenter.
This durable cast iron machine is powered by an extra-powerful 1 HP 1,725 RPM motor that delivers smooth and consistent woodturning results extremely fast.
Its 3 pulley-speed ranges make it so easy to match the correct speed to your projects such as turning pens, bowls, or fashioning furniture legs. The unique belt tensioning system lets you change the speed in a flash and ensures longer tool life.
One of the largest mini-lathes in its class, the Delta Industrial 46-460 has a 12½-inches swing capacity but the extension bed can be increased to 42-inches if you need the extra length.
For better accuracy and improved precision, the forward and reverse functions help you to achieve a superior finish at just the flip of a switch.
The mini lathe also comes with a 3-inches chrome faceplate, 2 (6 and 10-inches) tool rests, a live center, a knockout bar, wrenches, and an easy-to-understand manual.
Delta offers a 5-year warranty on the mini-lathe.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value
- Ideal for woodturning enthusiasts and professional carpenters
- Durable cast iron construction
- Robust 1 HP 1,725 RPM motor
- Superior performance
- Delivers smooth and consistent results
- Large 12½-inches swing capacity
- Bed can be extended to 42-inches
- Variable speed with 3 pulley-speed ranges
- Belt-tensioning system allows for maximum power transfer and long life
- Forward and reverse functions provide a superior finish
- 3-inches faceplate
- Two tool rests
- Live center
- Heavy-duty steel knockout bar
- Easy-to-understand manual
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Bit bulky for a small benchtop
7. SHOP FOX W1704 Benchtop Lathe
Whether you are a passionate woodcrafter, the SHOP FOX W1704 8 x 13-inch Benchtop Wood Lathe will help you to produce amazing woodturning projects.
Made from heavy-duty cast iron, the mini lathe is extremely durable and the sturdy feet provide good stability on a benchtop. As the lathe has a compact design, it will fit neatly on a workbench and you will have enough room for your workpieces and other tools.
The 1/3 HP variable motor provides ample power for small tasks. Its wide spindle speed range from 700-3,200 RPM offers you plenty of versatility for working with softwoods and hardwoods.
Extremely easy to use, you can choose your preferred speed with just a twist of a knob.
Designed for a wide range of applications, the SHOP FOX mini lathe can be used to turn a bowl, spindle, or other types of decorative wood items. It features a safety paddle switch, an 8-inch swing over bed, a 12-inch distance between centers, a spur center, a live center, 2 tool rests, a 5-¾-inch faceplate, and a 3/4 x 16-inch spindle.
SHOP FOX offers a 2-year warranty on the wood lathe.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Good price
- Heavy-duty cast iron construction
- Durable design
- Sturdy feet provide good stability
- Compact benchtop design
- Perfect for a variety of small applications
- Wide spindle speed range from 700-3,200 RPM
- Can be used for hardwoods and softwoods
- Easy to use
- Safety paddle switch
- Two tool rests
- 5-¾-inch faceplate
- Spur center
- Live center
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
- Can wobble a bit
Our Top Pick for the Best Mini Lathe
Our top pick for the best mini lathe is the Delta Industrial 46-460 Midi Lathe. Whatever type of woodturning project you have planned, you need the Delta Industrial mini lathe in your workshop.
Trusted by millions of industry professionals everywhere, the Delta Industrial mini-lathe has all the features you need to accomplish your wood-crafting goals to an incredibly high standard the first time around.
Check the price on Amazon
