Choosing the Best Mini Wood Lathe
Mini lathes are the smallest brothers of the full-sized lathes. These lathes are portable and lightweight, which means that they can easily be moved from place to place. The mini lathes are also much cheaper than the midi and full-sized lathes and theyshould be the perfect starting point for anyone looking to turn smaller pens and get into the world of woodturning as a hobby.
We have decided to look at a few of the benefits that you could find from a mini lathe as well as see where they lack when compared to many of the other lathes. We have also included our selection for the top 4 mini lathes that you could buy. This should be a great starting point to anyone who is not yet familiar with the features of lathes and what to look for in a mini lathe. Keep reading to learn more about mini-lathes and the best ones available today.
Interested in learning more about lathes in general? Check out this overview.
Model | Weight | Motor | Swing |
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NOVA 46300 Comet II | 82.4 lbs | 3/4 HP | 12 inch |
What we like:
What we don't like:
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RIKON 70-100 12-by-16-inch Mini | 91.4 lbs | 1/2 HP | 12 inch |
What we like:
What we dont' like:
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Jet JWL-1015VS 10-Inch X 15-Inch | 73 lbs | 1/2 HP | 10 inch |
What we like:
What we dont' like:
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Pros and Cons of Choosing a Mini Lathe (over a larger lathe)
Pros:
- Price: The first thing that jumps out is the price. The mini lathes are much cheaper than the midi or full-sized lathes. This makes them ideal for those looking to start out or just looking to add a smaller lathe to their collection.
- Control: The mini lathes are known for being smaller and this should give you much more control over what you are doing. The control is an important aspect when it comes to working accurately and this is much more important as you work with smaller and more intricate wood pieces.
- Portability: The mini lathes are much more portable and they can easily be moved from place to place where you might need them. If you have your own shop and you plan on turning at home for the weekend, this is the perfect lathe to take with you.
- Fits anywhere: The mini lathes are also smaller when looking at the dimensions and this means that they could easily fit in the smallest of spaces. When looking for a good lathe for your home, you will need to take the available space into account and this is where the mini lathes will excel.
Cons:
- Lacks stability: The mini lathes are not as heavy, which means that they will not be as stable when turning. This stability should not really be an issue if you do turn smaller objects on them as recommended. You should also be sure to mount it securely before use.
- Weaker motors: The weaker motors are perfect for turning pens and smaller items, but it does lack sometimes when it comes to turning bigger items like bowls and even chair legs. This lathe will give you great accuracy, but you should use the right-sized wood.
Beside these two problems, the mini lathes are actually quite effective and they should be the ideal lathe for any beginner to start out with. The mini lathes are designed for beginners but, many pros are also using them. Here are the top mini lathes that we have selected to help you get started in turning:
Top 3 Mini Wood Lathes and Their KeyFeatures:
NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe
Weight: 82.4 lbs
Dimensions: 33 x 9 x 18 inches
Swing Size: 12 inches
Motor: 3/4 Horsepower
The NOVA 464300Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe is quite heavy for a mini lathe. The lathe has been constructed from durable cast iron and this also greatly adds to the stability that it will provide when turning. The lathe also includes an impressive and stylish design.
The distance between the centers are around 16.5-inches but, this can also be extended when needed and the added extension might be expensive but, improve the functionality of the lathe. The speeds of this lathe are between 250 and 4000RPM, which is more than enough for a mini lathe.
This lathe is really affordable and includes a basic limited 1-year warranty to keep you protected. The lathe will be the ideal lathe for beginners to start with or to simply add to your collection already.
RIKON 70-100 12-by-16-inch Mini Lathe
Weight: 91.4lbs
Dimensions: 33.8 x 18 x 11.5 inches
Swing Size: 12 inches
Motor: 1/2 Horsepower
TheRikon 70-100 mini lathe is another really affordable lathe that you could lookinto if you are just starting out. The lathe offers great stability and shouldhelp you when it comes to turning those smaller pens and smaller bowls.
Thelathe also features a self-ejecting tailstock, which should help minimize theuse of a knockout bar to remove the center. The Rikon is capable of giving youspeeds at different intervals, which range from 430-3900 RPM.
Thislathe includes a decent 2-year warranty and if you are looking for even morecontrol, you could buy the variable speed kit additionally. The overall priceon this lathe is really affordable and should give you great value for yourmoney.
Jet JWL-1015VS 10-Inch X 15-Inch Variable Speed Wood Working Lathe
Weight: 73lbs
Dimensions: 35 x 18.1 x 14.6 inches
Swing Size: 10 inches
Motor: 0.5 Horsepower
The Jet JWL-1015VSVariable speed woodworking lathe is designed to give you full control over the lathe and all the speeds. The lathe is also very lightweight and it has been constructed from durable cast iron to make it much more stable.
The bed is around 15.5inches between the centers and this wider design will give you much better rigidity. This lathe 3-speed features that can be chosen from. These range from200-1050 RPM, 300-1750 RPM, and 600-3600 RPM.
The lathe is a little more expensive than most of the other mini lathes but, you will also be fully covered for 5 years with a great warranty on the parts and the motors. This lathe should be ideal for more advanced hobbyists.
Final Thoughts:
In comparing these lathes to the midi and the mini lathes, you will find that they actually are a little better and more durable. The designs are much more durable and they offer great stability. These 4 full-sized lathes are currently at the top of the range and they would be highly recommended by most experts.