In this guide we’ll look at the best wood turning lathes for the UK market.
We’ve compared size, construction, tech spec and cost
to give you our top recommendations.
What Is The Best Wood Turning Lathe for the UK Market?
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More Detailed Wood Turning Lathe Reviews
Rutlands Cast Iron Woodturning Lathe
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Rutlands Cast Iron Woodturning Lathe Review
This Woodturning Lathe by Rutlands is the best wood lathe for the UK market because it features a cast iron construction, ½ hp induction motor and uses an industry-standard 1” thread.
This wood turning lathe features a ½ hp high torque induction motor and has stepped pulleys that provide 5 spindle speeds of between 760 and 3200 rpm. This gives you plenty of power and versatility.
The lathe is constructed from precision machined heavy cast iron which provides accuracy and durability. The tailstock and saddle assembly slide smoothly on the cast iron bed and are rigidly locked off in position using cam operated steel levers and Bristol locking levers. The main drive spindle has industry standard 1″ x 8tpi thread. Both headstock and tailstock have No 2 morse tapers.
The lathe is capable of turning bowls up to 240mm (9.45”) and spindles of 440 mm (17.32”). An extension kit is also available which will allow you to create larger pieces such as standard lamps, stair spindles and chair legs.
If you are looking for a standard sized lathe capable of professional wood turning projects, then this is the product for you.
Charnwood W815 Mini Lathe
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Charnwood W815 Mini Lathe Review
The Charnwood W815 Mini Lathe is the best mini lathe for the UK market due to its 250-watt motor, cast iron construction and electronic variable speed control.
While it is small, this mini lathe is also powerful and durable. The lathe has a 250 watt (1/3 hp) motor which provides speeds of 750 – 4300 rpm. It also has a cast iron bed, headstock and tailstock.
The electronic speed control makes this lathe easy to adjust without needing to manually change the belt. It has a spindle thread size of 1″ x 8tpi. It also features a cam lock tailstock for quick and easy setting.
The lathe can turn bowls of up to 200mm (8”) and spindles of 330mm (13”).
This lathe is ideal for the hobbyist who wants to turn small items such as pens, goblets and small spindles or bowls.
Lumberjack SWL350 375W Variable Speed Wood Lathe Starter Kit
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Lumberjack SWL350 375W Variable Speed Wood Lathe Starter Kit Review
The Lumberjack SWL350 375W 230V Variable Speed Wood Lathe Starter Kit is the best wood lathe for beginners because it is reasonably priced, has a 475 watt (1/2 HP) induction motor and comes with 3 turning tools.
This lathe provides a good introduction to woodturning and is suitable for a range of small projects. It has a screw-type tail stock and a 3/4 inch x 16 TPI spindle thread. The lathes has a turning capacity diameter of 14″ (350mm) and features 4 turning speeds.
The tools that come with this machine allow you to get started straight away but do need initial sharpening to get the best from them.
This lathe offers a great introduction to wood turning that will allow you to turn small projects easily.
Proxxon Micromot DB 250 Woodturning Lathe
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Proxxon Micromot DB 250 Woodturning Lathe Review
The Proxxon Micromot DB 250 MICRO Woodturning Lathe is best small lathe for the UK market as it is suitable for turning very small items such as chess pieces, pens and models.
This micro lathe is ideal for anyone wanting to make small items such as models or doll’s house furniture. It also offers a great introduction lathe if you want to try out wood turning for the first time.
The lathe features a 100-watt motor, variable speed of 1,000 – 5,000 rpm, headstock spindle bore of 10mm and tailstock travel of 20mm. It comes with 6 collets, a drive centre, live centre and face plate. The lathe is easy to set up, adjust and use.
This is a great micro lathe for model making and provides a good introduction to wood turning.
Hukoer Mini Wood Turning Lathe Beads Polisher Machine
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Hukoer Mini Wood Turning Lathe Beads Polisher Machine Review
The HUKOER Mini Lathe Beads Machine offers a cheap introduction to wood turning and is ideal for use on small pieces.
The lathe is compact and lightweight with an aluminium body that is quite robust. The lathe is easy to use and has an 80-watt motor and 7 speeds. It also has a reasonable amount of torque for its size. The lathe has a maximum turning diameter of 70mm and a maximum clamping length of 180mm.
This lathe comes with some small chisels, but these are not of the highest quality so it might be worth investing in some high-quality tools.
This low-cost option provides a good introduction to wood turning and is suitable for small hobby projects.
Wood Turning Lathe Buyer’s Guide
Size
Wood turning lathes come in a variety of sizes. A standard sized lathe will allow you to turn larger pieces such as spindles and bowls. Mini and micro lathes like Charnwood W815 Mini Lathe will be suitable for craft projects such as pens, models and chess pieces. It is important to check that capacity of the lathe before you buy to ensure it is large enough to cope with the projects you have in mind. Extension kits are available for some lathes to allow you to tackle larger tasks.
Construction
The best wood lathes have a headstock, tailstock and bed made from precision heavy cast iron, with stepped pulleys for different spindle speeds, cam operated steel levers and Bristol locking levers.
Hobby lathes like HUKOER Mini Lathe Beads Machine may be made from aluminium.
Tech
Different lathes have a range of motors offering differing revolutions per minute (rpm). The best wood turning lathes like Lumberjack SWL350 and Proxxon Micromot DB 250 Wood Lathe have variable speeds. Some have electronic speed adjustments while with some you must manually change the speed.
Lathes also come with different spindle thread diameters and TPI (turns per inch). The industry standard is a 1″ x 8tpi thread, but smaller sizes are suitable for hobby use.
Accessories
Most lathes come with a tool rest and some come with some chisels, too, which is ideal if you are looking for a starter set for small craft uses.
Safety
You should always wear safety goggles when using a lathe as dust, debris or splintered pieces of your workpiece could fly up and damage your eyes.
You should also dress appropriately and never wear loose-fitting clothes as these could become ensnared in the tool.
FAQ
How do I use a wood lathe?
Before beginning work, read the instructions that came with your lathe and ensure you are familiar with how your machine works.
Select a suitable piece of wood. Beginners should start with a soft wood which is not too knotty, and it is best to start with a short piece of wood. You should ensure it doesn’t have any cracks or splits as damaged pieces can pose a safety hazard.
Follow the instructions that come with your lathe to secure the piece firmly
Place the tool rest parallel to the length of the work piece, ensuring it is as close as possible but without being so close the work piece will hit it.
Hand turn the work piece to make sure it doesn’t hit the tool rest.
Choose your tool. Most turning projects are started with a roughing gauge to create the basic shape.
Turn the lathe on, making sure it is at the lowest speed setting.
Begin moving the cutting edge of your tool parallel to the rotation of the work piece. Continue along the length of the piece.
To smooth your work, increase your lathe speed and hold your cutting tool so it barely contacts the wood.
Conclusion
Wood turning lathes are brilliant tools for creating a range of wooden items from chess pieces to stair spindles.
For a professional standard introduction to wood turning with the capacity for extension later, I would choose the Woodturning Lathe – Cast Iron 5 Speed by Rutlands.