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If you are interested in pen making or woodturning, then you will need to buy a lathe.  But are the best lathes for woodturning?

There are many things to consider, but there are some minimum specifications you should look for in a lathe.  There is one main rule to observe: you can build a small project on a large lathe, but you can’t build a large project on a small lathe.  If possible, it is always best to buy the biggest lathe you can afford.  But here are some general guidelines for you:

Swing over bed- This is basically how wide you can make something.  For example, it is hard to make a large bowl if the swing over the bed is small.  (See diagram below, A)

Distance between centers- This is the actual working distance between the two ends of the lathe, and affects how long you can make something.  Small distance can make pens, longer distance can make chair legs and baseball bats.  (See diagram, B)

Variable speeds- The greater the span, the better.  Sometimes high speeds are best, and sometimes low speeds are best.  Optimally it should have lots of different settings, and it should be easy to change the speed.

Lathes, come with two numbers in the name that shows you the swing and distance (A x B according to the diagram).  For example, the Jet 10 x 14 has a swing over bed of 10″ and a working distance of 14″.

There are lots of lathes available, and you should look for one with at least specs close to 10″ x 14″ or bigger.  If possible, you could even buy a used lathe to save a bit of money.  If you want to buy a lathe online, here are some options:

Jet Mini Lathe 10″ x 14″ – $279, one of the most popular lathes for penturning

Jet Wood Lathe 12″ x 20″ – $539, another very popular lathe among woodturners

Rikon Mini Lathe 12″ x 16″ – $349, comes with a free stand

Delta 5-Speed Midi Lathe 12.5″ x 16.5″ – $499, a very reliable company

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