Buying a wood lathe is not an easy task. There are many different models, brands, and features to choose from. So what should you do? Well, the best thing to do is read this blog post!
We will review 4 of the best wood lathes under $200 so that you can make an informed decision on which one best meets your needs.
Here are the top choices for the best wood lathe under 200 dollars:
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Best Wood Lathes Under $200
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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WEN 3421 Benchtop Wood Lathe | Best Wood Lathe Under $200 | Check Price |
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BILT HARD Wood Lathe | Runner up | Check Price |
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XtremepowerUS 1/2HP Wood Turning Lathe | Best for longer workpieces | Check Price |
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PSI Woodworking PENPAL | Best for pen turning and portability | Check Price |
In this section, we will review the best small wood lathe under $200. Keep in mind these are budget options so they are not going to have all the features of high-end wood lathes. However, they are great for someone starting in woodturning or a hobbyist.
WEN 3421 Benchtop Wood Lathe
This is the best benchtop wood lathe under $200 on Amazon according to customer reviews. Fits workpieces up to 12 inches long and 8 inches wide, this 3.2-Amp motor provides over 50% more power for more precise cuts than most lathes of a similar size.
The innovative soft start variable speed lets you select anywhere between 750 to 3200 RPMs, making sure your piece gets turned at the right spin rate for what you are working on!
The WEN 3421 Benchtop Wood Lathe includes a 2.3-Inch faceplate, MT1 spindle, and tailstock taper as well as two interchangeable tool rests.
WEN 3421 Benchtop Wood Lathe is perfect if you’re looking to get into woodturning. It is best used for smaller projects, but can still work well with larger ones if needed.
The basic design of this lathe is perfect for turning pens, bowls, mugs, chess pieces, and other tiny works of art.
The WEN 3421 3.2-Amp 8″ by 12″ Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe boasts a solid build quality and is suitable for a variety of workpieces due to its solid construction.
BILT HARD Wood Lathe
The BILT HARD Wood Lathe is a powerful tool for large-scale woodturning projects. The lathe is perfect for turning smaller legs of furniture or other items that are thick.
Its 5-speed operation range offers the best speed control for these projects, giving you everything you need to turn your project into reality.
The 5-speed speed controls on the Wood Lathe (690 RPM, 1000 RPM, 1400 RPM, 1980 RPM, 2700 RPM) are located behind a convenient door. The belt is easy to access for quick operation.
Made out of cast iron, the lathe has a body that’s extra stable and durable as well as minimal vibration so you can always come back to making those beautiful designs again and again without anything holding you down!
This wood lathe is ideal for a wide range of DIY and construction jobs.
The Reverse/Forward Switch allows you to finish in a superior manner, with more control. The Quick-Action Cam Controls have comfortable grips for fast and secure locking and nonslip rubber feet for reduced vibration.
XtremepowerUS 1/2HP Wood Turning Lathe
This XtremepowerUS 1/2HP Wood Turning Lathe is perfect for home use. It has a compact design that can free up space for other projects in your house.
4 speeds may be adjusted to suit a wide range of applications: 1100/1600/2300/3400 RPM, allowing you to tackle numerous tasks with varying demands and contributing to power conservation and enhanced results. The 1/2HP motor is plenty powerful.
The lathe’s low profile and 40″ length between the center allow you to work with bigger pieces for better handiwork while maintaining a small footprint on your workbench.
The frame is sturdy and firm enough to keep your wood projects in place. When working the machine, the stable structure will help to minimize vibration.
With a variety of accessories available to personalize the lathe, you may adapt it to meet your specific demands. You can improve the accuracy of your craft with this versatile wood-turning lathe.
PSI Woodworking PENPAL
The PenPal is perfect for a person who loves to tinker. The only requirement is 3x5ft of space, but it’s so versatile you’ll find yourself looking for excuses not to use it!
It can be bolted onto any surface or hand-held with its flat anodized aluminum base. Equipped with a 1/4″ chuck, mounting holes on the headstock, and reversible power switch this mini lathe doesn’t disappoint.
For safety’s sake, each kit includes a dust collection hood that clamps into place during operation keeping small pieces from flying everywhere.
If you love turning pens, the PENPAL Pen Making Lathe is an amazing tool for you. This lightweight (15 pounds) fully-featured pen-turning workhorse can easily be taken outside the house or stored pretty much anywhere in your home or on the go.
It’s great as a second lathe since it can be used for sanding, polishing, and manufacturing more pens anytime. It’s precision designed and easy to set up and use.
Best Features To Look For In A Wood Lathe
Now that you know some of the best wood lathes on the market, what are some features to look out for?
- First and foremost – safety
A good wood lathe will have a sturdy build quality with little-to-no vibration during operation. This keeps your hands safe from potential injuries as well as keeping any pieces or screws firmly in place.
- A wide range of speeds
This will ensure that you can work on a variety of projects, from the most intricate to those requiring more brute force and speed. Look for models with variable speeds as well as at least three different ranges: low (for delicate works), medium (for finishing and detail), and high (where precision is important).
- Forward and reverse operation
Having this feature will allow you to work on different types of projects and materials.
- A variety of accessories
Look for lathes that come with necessary attachments like chucks (the part holding down whatever material you’re working on).
- Portability
If you plan to work in different locations, having a portable wood lathe is best. It will allow you greater freedom when undertaking projects and encourage more creativity!
Things To Consider Before Buying A Wood Lathe
Before you buy yourself a wood lathe, there are some things to consider.
What projects do you plan to work on?
Lathes come in different shapes and sizes, so investing in one best suited for your needs will save you time later. Smaller lathes are best used by beginner turners while professionals may go for higher-end models with longer beds or more horsepower (HP).
If you plan on turning just pens then the best wood lathes for you will be those created specifically with pen-making in mind. PSI Woodworking PENPAL is great for this but if you have the budget we recommend you go for the WEN 3421. This is because the WEN wood lathe is more versatile. So if you decide to turn other objects on your lathe you can do so without buying a new one.
What space do you have to work on?
Lathes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so before purchasing one make sure that it fits into your workspace! Smaller ones can fit onto tables or benches while bigger models need more floor space.
What turning capacity do you need?
Make sure your lathe can accommodate the size of pieces you want to work on.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this blog post has helped you make a decision on which wood lathe to purchase. If it did, we highly recommend buying one of our recommended models.
Thank you for reading our article!
Also Read:
– Best Wood Lathes Under $300
– Best Wood Lathes Under $500