Looking for the best lathe for bowl turning? You have come to the right place!
In this article, we are going to review 3 best wood lathes for turning bowls and help you decide which one is going to be perfect for your project! We will also discuss what you need to look for when purchasing one.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
3 Best Lathes For Bowl Turning We Recommend
| Product | MT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
JET JWL-1221VS | #2 taper | SEE BEST PRICE |
 |
RIKON Power Tools 70-105 | #2 taper | SEE BEST PRICE |
 |
SHOP FOX W1704 | #1 taper | SEE BEST PRICE |
As many people know, turning wood on a lathe is one of the most common methods for shaping wood. If you are turning bowls, these are 3 best options to choose from:
JET JWL-1221VS
(Best Lathe for Bowl Turning)
The JET 1221VS lathe was built to give you absolute control over your bowl turning projects. The design and quality of this wood lathe will make you feel like it was made just for you. Because of its quality and features, you can expect to get great results with this lathe.
The Jet JWL-1221VS wood lathe is the perfect product for woodturning small to medium projects! The lathe can be adjusted to run at 60 – 3,600 RPMs which allows the user to work with different types of wood.
The digital readout is integrated and conveniently located on the side of the machine. Therefore, no more bending over to change speeds when you’re working!
The lathe can be operated in reverse by flipping a switch. Moreover, it has a tachometer that is helpful in returning to a speed that worked in the past time.
PROS
- Solid construction
- Quiet
- Excellent user manual
- Digital readout and speed control
CONS
- Expensive
RIKON Power Tools 70-105
(Best Starter Lathe for Bowl Turning)
The 1/2 hp motor of this Rikon 70-105 mini lathe provides enough power to turn bowls and other similar objects. It has a swing of 10″ and a 18″ distance between centers. In addition, this lathe has a tailstock that self ejects.
This wood lathe was designed for pen turners but it can work just as well for bowl turning as well. This mini, scaled-down lathe is made entirely of cast iron, so vibration is hardly an issue, unlike machines made of aluminum. Besides, the rubber feet will also help lower vibration and provide stability.
The Rikon 70-105 mini-lathe has five different speeds that cover turning to shape and finishing. The lathe is equipped with a live center, tool rest, knockout bar, and wrenches.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Great turning capacity
- Quiet and stable
CONS
- No electronic speed control
SHOP FOX W1704
(Best Budget Wood Lathe)
Take on small bowl woodturning projects using Shop Fox W1704 bench-top lathe.
Made of cast iron, this machine is designed to fit nicely on a workbench. Its electric motor has a 1/3 horsepower capacity, variable speed, and the speed ranges from 700 to 3,200 RPM. The infinitely variable speed (from 700 to 3200 RPM) is advantageous when turning different kinds of wood.
Moreover, this table-mounted lathe includes a faceplate with a diameter of 5-3/4 inches. This can be used for items that are too small to be supported by the tailstock. This is a great addition for people that want to turn bowls on this wood lathe.
To sum up, with a 13-inch distance between centers and an 8-inch swing above the bed, this lathe is well suited to creating various turning projects.
PROS
- 700 – 3,200 RPM spindle speed
- Cast-iron construction
- Safety paddle switch
- 5-3/4-inch Faceplate Included
CONS
- Tool rests could have been better quality.
What To Look For When Buying The Best Lathe For Bowl Turning
As an artisan, you often face the challenge of deciding on which type of lathe to purchase. There are many different types of lathes with each one being used for different purposes. However, how do you find the one that is right for your needs?
Is your goal to create small, intricate bowls or large objects? Do you want a lathe that can handle any task? How much space do you have in your workshop? These are just some of the questions that come into play when making this decision.
Here are some things to keep in mind before choosing your wood lathe for bowl turning:
Variable speed
There are benefits to choosing a lathe with variable speed. When you have a situation where the cutting speed needs to be adjusted for different materials, a variable-speed lathe is crucial.
This allows the user to slow down or speed up the cutting speed depending on what type of material is being cut. If you’re working on smaller pieces of wood, it’s best to have more control over the speed in order to get a smoother finish and not risk stripping off too much material.
Size
Remember, lathes come in a variety of sizes. While the size is not as much a factor, personal preference and space considerations should be taken into account.
Larger lathes typically have more speed settings and a greater turning capacity. So, if you are considering using your lathe to do something other than turn bowls, this is something to keep in mind.
Read: How High Should a Wood Lathe Be?
Turning capacity
This will determine the maximum size of your woodturning projects. If you want to turn larger bowls you will need a lathe with a bigger swing over the bed. The JET JWL-1221VS should provide plenty of room with its 12″ swing over the bed.
Budget
You want to get the best value for your money. You want to find a lathe that is right for the type of woodturning that you plan on doing.
If you feel like you can work without a digital readout for example, then you can go for a cheaper wood lathe.
Construction and Design
In our opinion, having a wood lathe with cast-iron construction is usually a good idea because it reduces vibrations and is quite sturdy.
Don’t neglect the design of the lathe. Having the digital readout and knobs located in an easy-to-reach area is great.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we recommend the JET JWL-1221VS as the best lathe for bowl turning, as it has a list of features that specifically cater to this trade. It is powerful and you have a range of speeds from 60 to 3,600 RPMs.
Bowl turning can be an excellent way to spend time doing what you love, but it is important to be sure that you have the right equipment.
We hope this article has helped you with your decision!