Wood Lathes

About Wood Lathes

Wood lathes are essential power tools designed for turning wooden workpieces to create cylindrical, conical, or curved shapes through rotation. From crafting table legs and spindles to producing decorative bowls and intricate ornamental pieces, these versatile machines enable both professional woodworkers and hobbyists to transform raw timber into precision-turned components. Whether you're producing furniture parts, artistic turnings, or restoration work, a quality wood lathe provides the speed control, stability, and power needed for accurate results.

At TooledUp.com, our range includes both compact mini lathes ideal for smaller projects and workshops with limited space, through to full-sized digital models capable of handling substantial workpieces. We stock trusted brands including Draper, Sealey, and Einhell, each offering variable speed control for working with different timber types and project requirements. Modern wood lathes feature digital displays for precise speed monitoring, robust cast iron beds for vibration-free operation, and adjustable tool rests to accommodate various turning techniques.

From the beginner looking to explore woodturning as a new skill to the experienced turner requiring reliable equipment for daily use, selecting the right lathe depends on your project scale, available workspace, and the type of work you'll be undertaking. Our selection ranges from portable mini lathes with capacities around 330mm, through to larger models exceeding 1000mm between centres, ensuring there's a suitable option for every workshop and budget.

Jargon Buster

• Distance Between Centres: The maximum length of workpiece that can be turned, measured from the headstock to the tailstock. This determines the longest spindle or piece you can create on the lathe.
• Swing Over Bed: The maximum diameter of workpiece that can be turned, typically double the distance from the bed to the spindle centre. Crucial for bowl turning and larger diameter projects.
• Variable Speed Control: Allows adjustment of the rotation speed (measured in RPM) without changing belt positions. Digital models offer precise speed selection for different timber species and turning operations.
• Headstock: The fixed assembly containing the motor and spindle where the workpiece is mounted. May rotate or be fixed depending on the lathe design, with some models offering swivelling headstocks for outboard turning.
• Tailstock: The movable component at the opposite end from the headstock that supports the free end of the workpiece during spindle turning, ensuring stability and preventing whip.
• Morse Taper: The standardised tapered socket system (typically MT1 or MT2) used to secure centres, chucks, and other accessories into the headstock and tailstock spindles.

Who Uses Wood Lathes?

Wood lathes serve a diverse range of users across professional and leisure applications:

• Professional Woodturners: Creating bespoke furniture components, architectural spindles, and commissioned artistic pieces
• Furniture Makers and Joiners: Producing table legs, chair spindles, finials, and decorative wooden elements for custom furniture
• Restoration Specialists: Replicating period-accurate turned components for heritage building restoration and antique furniture repair
• Model Makers and Pattern Makers: Creating precision wooden components for models, prototypes, and foundry patterns
• DIY Enthusiasts: Exploring woodturning as a hobby, making household items, gifts, and decorative pieces
• Schools and Training Centres: Teaching woodworking skills and providing hands-on experience with traditional turning techniques
• Pen Turners and Craft Workers: Producing small turned items including pens, bottle stoppers, chess pieces, and craft supplies
• Bowl Turners and Artists: Creating decorative bowls, platters, and sculptural art pieces from various timber species

How to Choose the Right Wood Lathe

Capacity and Size: Consider the maximum length and diameter of work you'll be turning. Mini lathes (300-450mm between centres) suit pen turning and small projects, whilst full-sized lathes (1000mm+) accommodate furniture components and larger spindle work. Measure your available workshop space, allowing room for tool storage and safe operation around the machine.

Motor Power and Speed Range: Motor power typically ranges from 370W for mini lathes to 1100W for full-sized models. Higher wattage provides more torque for larger diameter work and hardwoods. Variable speed control is essential, with ranges typically from 500-3500 RPM allowing you to select appropriate speeds for different diameters and timber types – slower speeds for larger diameters, faster speeds for fine finishing cuts.

Construction and Stability: Cast iron beds provide superior vibration dampening compared to pressed steel, resulting in smoother finishes and more comfortable operation. Check the weight of the unit – heavier lathes offer better stability during turning. Some models include or require separate stands, whilst compact versions feature integrated bases.

Digital Features: Modern digital lathes offer LCD displays showing exact RPM, making it easier to replicate successful turning speeds. Some models include digital readouts for tailstock position and electronic speed control for maintaining consistent rotation under load.

Accessories and Compatibility: Verify the Morse taper size (typically MT1 or MT2) for accessory compatibility. Consider what's included – drive centres, live centres, tool rests, and face plates add value. Check if additional accessories like chucks and extended tool rests are readily available for your chosen model.

Budget Considerations: Entry-level mini lathes from brands like Einhell start around the lower price bracket, ideal for beginners and occasional use. Mid-range models from Draper and Sealey offer enhanced features, digital controls, and greater capacity. Professional-grade machines justify higher investment through robust construction, powerful motors, and long-term reliability for daily workshop use.

Popular Accessories

• Scroll Chucks: Four-jaw chucks for secure holding of bowls, boxes, and irregular shapes without centres, expanding internal or external gripping options
• Drive and Live Centres: Various centre types including 2-prong, 4-prong drives and revolving live centres for the tailstock, reducing friction on longer workpieces
• Turning Tools: HSS gouges, scrapers, parting tools, and skews specifically designed for wood turning operations, available in various profiles and sizes
• Face Plates: For mounting larger diameter work like bowls and platters where centres aren't suitable, screwing directly to the headstock
• Tool Rests: Extended or curved rests for improved tool support across different turning operations and workpiece profiles
• Sharpening Systems: Grinding jigs and systems for maintaining sharp cutting edges on turning tools, essential for clean cuts and safety
• Dust Collection Adapters: Connecting your lathe to extraction systems helps maintain a cleaner, healthier workshop environment
• Indexing Attachments: For creating equally-spaced decorative features, flutes, or segmented designs on turned pieces

Safety Information

Wood lathes present specific safety considerations that must be addressed before operation. Always wear appropriate PPE including safety glasses or a face shield to protect against flying chips and dust, and avoid loose clothing, jewellery, or long hair that could become entangled in rotating components. Hearing protection is advisable during extended sessions.

Ensure workpieces are securely mounted and check for cracks, knots, or defects that could cause the wood to break apart during rotation. Always rotate the workpiece by hand before switching on to verify clearance and detect any imbalance. Select appropriate speeds for the diameter of work – HSE guidance recommends slower speeds for larger diameters to prevent excessive centrifugal forces.

Maintain sharp tools to reduce the risk of catches and ensure smoother cutting. Position the tool rest close to the workpiece (typically 3-6mm gap) and ensure it's securely locked before commencing work. Never adjust the tool rest whilst the lathe is running, and always stop the machine completely before measuring or sanding.

Wood lathes should be connected to suitable extraction or dust collection systems where possible, as wood dust presents respiratory hazards covered under COSHH regulations. Ensure adequate lighting and maintain a clear, uncluttered workspace around the lathe. If wiring the machine to a fixed position, ensure compliance with BS 7671 electrical regulations, consulting a qualified electrician if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size wood lathe do I need for furniture making?

For standard furniture components like table legs, you'll need at least 900-1000mm between centres to accommodate typical leg lengths. A swing of 300-350mm over the bed allows for most chair and table leg diameters. Models like the Draper WTL1100 or Sealey SM1100 offer suitable capacity for furniture work.

Can I use a mini wood lathe for pen turning?

Absolutely – mini lathes are ideal for pen turning and small craft projects. Models like the Draper WTL330A with approximately 330mm between centres provide ample capacity for pens, bottle stoppers, and similar small-scale turnings, whilst occupying minimal workshop space.

What's the difference between digital and belt-driven speed control?

Digital variable speed lathes allow instant speed adjustment via electronic controls whilst running, with displays showing exact RPM. Belt-driven models require stopping the machine and manually repositioning the drive belt between pulleys to change speed ranges. Digital systems offer greater convenience and precision, particularly valuable when experimenting with different timbers and techniques.

Do I need a stand for my wood lathe?

This depends on the model. Some lathes like the Sealey SM1100 include a purpose-built stand, whilst compact models may work on sturdy benches. Larger lathes benefit from dedicated stands that position the spindle centre at a comfortable working height (typically elbow height) and provide vibration-free operation. Ensure any stand or bench is substantial enough to prevent movement during turning.

What speed should I use for different diameter workpieces?

As a general rule, larger diameters require slower speeds to maintain safe surface velocities. For rough turning bowls over 250mm diameter, start around 500-800 RPM. Spindles 75-150mm diameter typically work well at 1000-2000 RPM. Small items under 50mm can safely run at 2000-3500 RPM. Always start slower and increase speed gradually, considering timber density and workpiece balance.