We all enjoy having beautiful masterpieces such as bowls and vases in our living spaces as they make life to be enjoyable. The use of wood by man to create such exquisite pieces goes back to the earliest of times.
One of the reasons why wood is widely used in creation gorgeous of masterpieces is that it’s durable, beautiful, and easy to work with. Wood has enabled creativity to thrive as with the right lathe tools and design; you can make it anything come to life.
Features To Consider When Looking For Wood Lathe Tools
Length
The length of the lathe tools makes a lot of difference. A tool with a longer bed allows you to turn big items saving you a lot of time. However, if the nature of your work does not involve turning large pieces of wood, you can ignore this feature.
Base
The foundation of a lathe is one of the things you should never ignore when looking to acquire a wood lathe tool. The bigger the base is, the more stable that tool is.
Warranty
Wood lathe tools are expensive, and they are machines meaning that they can breakdown at any time. This is why you need to ensure you buy a tool with an extended warranty period.
Motor
This is usually the heart of the lathe tools, as it is the one that determines the speed of the tools. If you are working with huge pieces of wood, you should go for appliances with bigger motors.
Our Top Pick
The JET JWL – 1221VS 12-Inch Variable Speed Wood Lathe is our top pick as it has one of the best speed control in the market. It is also one of the most preferred wood lathe tools available as it’s good with experts and intermediate wood-turners.
Our Budget Pick
If you are unable to get yourself any of the above wood lathe tools or are a beginner, you should not lose hope as you can take home WEN 3420T Variable Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe. This is the best among all the other cost-effective wood lathe tools available in the market.
4 Best Wood Lathe Tool Reviews
1.  JET JWL – 1221VS 12 Inch Variable Speed Wood Lathe
JET JWL 1221VS boasts of having unrivaled speed control, which is essential in wood-turning. Price is the only issue that many people – especially beginners, are usually concerned with when it comes to this product as it’s a little bit expensive. For experts and those with intermediate experience, however, this is the best wood-turning lathe you can find.
 JET JWL 1221VS speed control comes in two types; discreet control and continuous control. Continuous control is flexible as it allows you to set the spindle velocity at any revolutions per minute (RPV) that the machine can be able to handle while discreet control enables you to set the spindle velocity at locked RPMs.
Pros
- Digital revolutions per minute readout
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
- Continuous speed control ranges from 60-3600 RPM
Cons
- Cannot be able to handle pieces that are more than 21 inches
2. WEN 3420T Variable Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe
WEN 3420T is a high-quality tool that is easy to handle and is also one of the safest lathe tools you can find, making it perfect for beginners. Powered by a 1/3 hp motor, WEN 3420T does not reach its top speed immediately you turn it on, it gains momentum gradually. WEN 3420T has an adjustable speed that ranges from 750-3200 RPM.
Pros
- Small size
- It’s affordable
- Can fit in any workstation
- Easy to use
Con
- It’s not ideal for substantial commercial projects
3. Delta Industrial 46-460 12-1/2 Inch Variable-Speed Midi Lathe
Delta Industrial 46-460 is a powerful tool with speeds ranging from 250-4000 revolutions per minute. Forward and reverse features found in this excellent wood lathe tool are excellent and they are one of the reasons why this tool has that made its way to our top 4 wood lathe tools in the market today. Powered by a 1hp motor, Delta Industrial 46-460 comes in three-speed ranges; 250-750 RPM, 600-1800 RPMs, and 1350-4000 RPMs.
Pros
- Has a large swing capacity
- Compact size
- Easy to use
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons
- It’s not always solid
4. JET JWL – 1440VSK Wood Lathe   Â
This is another fantastic tool for commercial projects as JET JWL – 1440VSK is very powerful. This tool has thick and long spindles making it easy for you to do heavy work without having any problem. JET JWL – 1440VSK has a variable speed that ranges from 400-3000 RPM.
Pros
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
- Has a large swing capacity
- It’s stable
Cons
- It’s heavy
FAQs
Q1. Why does my lathe make grinding noises?
Wood lathe tools make grinding noises because they have parts that are moving, including seals, gears, and bearings. To minimize the noise, you should ensure that your lathe is adequately lubricated.
Q2. Which are the best types of wood to turn?
Some of the best woods to turn include but not limited to; Figured Maple, Boxelder, Pacific Madrone, Spalted Maple, Quartersawn Sycamore, Live Oak Root, Padauk, Bradford Pear, and Osage Orange, among many others.
