On the other hand, the RIKON Power Tools 70-105 Mini Lathe also employs MT2 morse tapers which are designed for larger workpieces than you would expect for that size motor. If you plan on turning practical pieces like bowls and candlesticks where the quality of the finish is important, the reverse rotation function will help you achieve the best possible finish with minimal effort. To get started as a beginner, these are the six turning tools you will need for turning basic spindles and how to use them. If you’re happy sticking to smaller items like pens and miniatures, you have limited space in your workshop (or budget! Portability: This lathe weighs just under 45 pounds and can easily sit on your workbench then be stored somewhere else when not in use. Best Lightweight Mini Wood Lathe: WEN 3420T Mini Wood Lathe, 11. Ultimately, the best wood lathe will heavily depend on the type of projects you have in mind, but I think the WEN 3421 Wood Lathe is the perfect option for beginners and advanced woodworkers alike. Woodturning can become an expensive hobby and a source of contention with anyone who shares a budget with you. Another great quality about with wood lathe is its capacity which again ties my list for accommodating the longest workpiece at 46” and has a 16” swing over capacity. The lathe provides woodworkers with a 12-inch frame in a compact package. It is a good option no matter your level of expertise as it can handle a variety of materials and rough treatment. The swing over capacity refers to how many inches from the center of the workpiece a lathe can accommodate, but it is a measurement of the radius– not the diameter. Save a portion of your budget for all the extras you will inevitably “need.”. There is also an extension available for longer work. Changing speeds is manual and based on a belt and pulley system. Variable speed: 60 to 3600 RPM. Unfortunately, the Delta Industrial 46-460 Midi Lathe often runs into electrical issues that the company often does not honor under warranty. A stronger motor will allow you to work with harder wood like hickory, and rough, knotted wood-like “found” wood from a firewood pile. With a 3.2-amp motor, turners get ample power for smaller workpieces like cups, bowls, pens, etc. Oils, waxes, varnishes, and even CA glue bring the color and grain of the piece to life as well as protecting it from general wear and tear during use, or from weathering, if it is an ornament or display piece. It does not have a digital display but does have a chart showing the speed at each dial setting within the three ranges for easy use. Disclosure: We are a professional review company & our reviews are not biased towards any of the products we review. Features And Specifications of WEN 3420 Variable Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe. Rikon mini lathe: This Rikon mini lathe features a ½ motor that provides ample power for all turning needs. Portability: As it is one of the heavier mini wood lathes, the portability of this lathe is limited compared to others but it does come with flip-up handles for when you do need to move it. Woodturning is a fun hobby and it’s easy to get carried away and spend a lot of money on a lathe and all the “necessary” accessories. The 3.2-amp motor will turn the wood between 750 and 3200 RPMs. 1/3 HP). Overall: Although it is quite limiting in terms of the different items you can make, if you are primarily interested in turning pens or miniatures, or if you have concerns about weight and size, this is the lathe for you. It will allow you to work with a variety of materials without worrying about how it will manage larger items. Traditional tools are usually made of one long piece of steel with a wooden or plastic handle. For the best value pick, we have to go with the WEN 3421 Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe. The easy-to-use lever clamping system makes adjustments to both the tool rest and the tailstock simple and precise. It can be overwhelming. This lathe is ideal for novice woodworkers or even for the enthusiast with a small shop. The RPM is shown on a digital display panel for better control over your speed. Mini wood lathes are ideal for very detailed items like chess pieces, Christmas (or other holiday) ornaments, and spindles for smaller furniture like chairs and stools. the maximum diameter of the wood blank you can start with. As the mini lathes outlined below are the best on the market, this is generally not an issue in these models, but it is interesting to see how various manufacturers have ensured stability. Larger items can cause the lathe to wobble slightly. The main issue with this wood lathe is that if you do have issues, you will have a devilishly difficult time getting customer service to assist you in any meaningful way. Required fields are marked *. The Nova 71118 Comet II DR Midi Lathe is a touch expensive, but the company will also nickel and dime you with optional components that allow you to get the most out of the lathe. This is the most powerful motor for a lathe with a 10-inch swing and more powerful than some lathes with a 12-inch swing. We’ve done all the work of comparing the best mini wood lathes on the market to minimize the tossing and turning you’ll do while trying to decide which one is best. It can also be bolted to a bench or stand. Horsepower is better understood as the maximum amount of power that the lathe can generate without a load, that is without you shaping the wood by a tool. Variable speed woodworking lathe (24 pages) Lathe Wen LA8800 Manual. VARIABLE SPEED WOODWORKING LATHE. Nova power tools may not be the most well-known on my list, but they have plenty of experience and are noted for innovations particular to wood lathes. Or go through that article I linked above to see which mini wood lathe has the lowest RPM with good torque that is somewhat ideal for turning small bowls. As if that were not enough, the Grizzly Industrial G0462 Wood Lathe also comes with a large tool rest and a 6” faceplate. However, the mechanism is easy to use with a quick-access panel and handy chart for determining the ideal speed. Best Premium Mini Wood Lathe: JET JWL-1221VS Wood Lathe, 6. In this instance, the Grizzly Industrial G0462 Wood Lathe ties my list as the most powerful model with a motor that pushes 2 hp and 14 amps. On top of that, the WEN 3421 Wood Lathe is extremely stable, all things considered, thanks to its ability to be bolted down to a benchtop or rest atop non-slip feet. Even then, many mini wood lathes can be modified with an extension bed (up to 42-inches in some cases) which will allow you to turn much longer items without needing to buy a full-sized lathe. Mophorn is another company without that much experience, founded a few years ago and does not even specialize in power tools– let alone woodworking tools. The smaller, benchtop lathes on the market are sometimes split into two categories, mini and midi wood lathes. Swing: 8” x 12.” This is on the smaller side for a mini wood lathe but will still allow you to turn pens, ornaments, and other small items. ½ HP). Stability: This lathe weighs 88 pounds, making it very sturdy. It is easy to set up and use and can handle a variety of woods and project types. Oct 11, 2020 - WEN 3421 3.2-Amp 8" by 12" Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe - - Amazon.com It is a good option no matter your level of expertise as it can handle a variety of materials and rough treatment. Whether you want to turn bowls or pens, whatever your woodturning needs and level of expertise, there is a mini wood lathe out there for you. Your email address will not be published. This is important if you plan on working with different types of wood and allows you to make the smoothest cuts at various stages of the turning. In this article, you are going to read WEN 3420 Lathe Review. Swing: 10” x 18.” There is also the option to buy a base extender which will increase the center-to-center, allowing you to turn longer items. Wood and blanks can become an investment comparable to and even exceeding the price of your mini wood lathe. As manufacturers don’t always agree on the line between these two categories, we have included both here as the lathes can all stand on a benchtop and are (mostly) portable for moving around your workshop or traveling. Finally, this wood lathe provides multiple tool rests, so you do not have to feel locked into a single size of tool, though they will still likely be smaller in size. A drill chuck – for starting the hollow of bowls and other hollow pieces. You will probably never have enough raw material to turn all the projects you have in mind, especially once you have been bitten by the turning bug. Best for Larger Projects: RIKON 70-100 Mini Lathe, 12. If you’re searching for wood lathes, the answer is almost guaranteed to be yes. Variable speed: Six speeds – 430, 810, 1230, 1810, 2670, and 3900 RPM. Some make the base out of cast iron to add weight, others include an easy way to bolt your mini lathe to your workbench. It also allows you to see better for fine detail work. Most motors for mini wood lathes are measured in horsepower (HP), although some are measured in amps. It is quiet but powerful enough for a smooth turning experience. Overall: This is a large, solid lathe with a good motor that will allow you to turn bigger pieces than most mini wood lathes. CONVENIENCE: Easy-to-reach controls and DRO. Motor: ½ HP. Here’s what we looked at to find the best mini wood lathes on the market: These measurements affect the size of the objects you can turn on your lathe. At the very least, in addition to your mini wood lathe you will need: There are so many different tools to choose from and they come in multiple shapes and sizes; roughing gouges, bowl gouges, parting tools, scrapers, skew chisels, and grinding wheels, to name a few. It struggles with harder materials, especially at lower speeds, but is great for smaller items and softer woods. Overall: This is a great lathe for those who want to do slightly larger projects but don’t want to pay thousands of dollars for a full-sized lathe. faceplate for non-spindle workpieces. 【UNRIVALED SPEED CONTROL】- Turning speed control knob clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the speed freely within 760-3200 RPM. Turning at a lower speed means that there is more power for harder, rougher woods and you will be able to use deeper cuts while shaping your piece. Lathes with a smaller swing will be more portable but usually limit the size of your woodturning projects. Lathe stand (12 pages) Summary of Contents for Wen 3424 ... KNOW YOUR WOOD LATHE Carefully remove the tool and all contents from the packaging. Has a 16”x46” clearanceIs more powerfulHas a 6” faceplateComes with a stand. My new mini lathe just showed up. While it is not the most powerful wood lathe I came across, this option still meets the average standards for both the motor’s power and the lathe’s speed. Softer woods, like maple, poplar, and most green woods, are easier to shape and don’t need a powerful motor. Variable speed: Limited to 5 settings – 500, 1175, 1850, 2225, and 3200 RPM. Stability: Most of this lathe is made from cast iron, making it very sturdy and allowing you to forgo the need to bolt it to your workbench. This wood lathe also gooses its capacities a bit above its motor’s general expectations with a maximum length of 18” and a swing over capacity of 10”. That said, the WEN 3421 Wood Lathe still fits squarely within the company’s purview as it is not the most powerful model on my list, its motor generating ½ hp and 3 ⅕ amps. Speed Range: 250 - 4,000 RPM with its powerful electronic variable speed motor. Stability and portability: This is the largest, heaviest cast iron lathe that still qualifies as a mini wood lathe. The speed of this lathe is a combination of digital and manual, controlled by three belts. While the maximum speed is average, the minimum speed of 500 RPMs expands its versatility a bit, though this is one of the few wood lathes I encountered that does not include a faceplate. To choose the best wood lathe for your workshop, you first have to know what specifications you have to consider to make the best buying decision possible. Variable speed: Like the Nova Comet II, there is a three-belt pulley system with various speeds within each range. Motor: 1 HP. A motor that is too weak will stall when you try to shave wood too deeply at a pass, or if the wood is particularly hard/your gouge gets caught in a knot. Overall: This lathe is cheaper than many comparable mini wood lathes. The head- and tailstock are tapered for compatibility with accessories. Read on to find out why. However, as the swing size increases, so does the weight. Thoughts on Lathe WEN 3424 New to turning wanting to get Into pens and small pots, wondering if any one had any thoughts or have use the WEN 3424 lathe Some specs below - Switch between 5 different speeds: 520, 900, 1400 2150 or 3400 RPM That said, the Bachin Mini Wood Lathe surprises a bit with its capacities as it boasts a maximum workpiece length of 22” and a swing over capacity of 11”. Grizzly is another professional-grade power tool brand that has a bit of an up and down reputation but generally still performs reasonably well. Drive spindle: 1 inch -8 RH TPI thread, Electronic variable Speed with three-pulley speed ranges provide the required speeds needed to turn a project without changing belt position. Turning at the right speed gives you maximum power transfer and control over your piece. Swing: 12” x 18” This is one of the largest swing sizes available for a mini lathe and will allow you to make most projects, including some mid-sized bowls. WEN 3421 3.2-Amp 8" by 12" Variable Speed Mini. Most manufacturers provide a variety of accessories for the lathes that they sell. The reverse function can also help with difficult grain patterns, creating interesting helix shapes in spindles and candlesticks, and turning threads into items like lidded boxes for a left- or right-hand thread as desired. Though Shop Fox positions itself as a professional-grade power tool brand, it is better understood as a mid-tier brand– but that can work out in your favor. The smaller number (the swing) indicates the amount of space between the spindle and the lathe bed, i.e. That is why I put together a list of the 10 best wood lathe reviews, highlighting what each one does best, as well as provide a helpful buyer’s guide. Let’s give you the answer. With a stunning build quality, the WEN 3421 3.2-Amp 8" by 12" Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe provides sturdy frame for various work pieces. Lathes with a larger swing will offer better versatility in terms of project options but will be heavier to ensure stability, making them less portable. This is the most powerful motor available on a mini wood lathe but is surprisingly quiet. Still, you do not have to worry about a lack of power with this wood lathe as its motor ties my list, pushing 2 hp and 14 amps. 370W provide great power for the lathe operation.