There is a wide variety of wood lathe models that can be used to turn almost anything you can think of, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. This article will discuss some best wood lathe for table legs.
It’s best to start with a high-quality wood lathe for turning table legs. This is because the best lathes are more durable, and will last longer than cheaper models. That being said, there are many different types of woodworking lathes on the market today.
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Best Wood Lathes For Table Legs
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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Grizzly Industrial G0462-16″ x 46″ | Best Wood Lathe for Table Legs | SEE BEST PRICE |
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Jet JWL 1440VSK Wood Lathe | Runner up | SEE BEST PRICE |
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RIKON 70-150VSR Midi VSR | Best Budget Wood Lathe for Table Legs | SEE BEST PRICE |
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Grizzly Industrial G0766-22″ x 42″ | Best Professional Wood Lathe for Table Legs | SEE BEST PRICE |
Here are our top 4 best lathes for turning table legs. They can obviously be used to turn more than just table legs but they excel at this task compared to other models.
Grizzly Industrial G0462-16″ x 46″ (Best Wood Lathe for Table Legs)
The Grizzly Industrial G0462 Lathe is a heavy-duty lathe for turning table legs. The bed, frames, and leg attachment are cast iron. With regular maintenance, this lathe should last for years.
The turn-on-the-fly speed control lever is an excellent way to avoid the tedious burden of belts and replace them with easy-on, off buttons.
Even more interesting is that the legs have support shelves to them. You can add customized shelving for even more storage space. This is a great choice for anyone who values space efficiency.
To the 110-volt, 14-amp motor that delivers an adequate amount of torque/power to easily complete jobs of medium and even some larger sizes.
This machine is capable of turning up to 2400 revolutions per minute for greater accuracy during the entire process.
The Grizzly Industrial G0462 Wood Lathe has the power and capacity to turn table legs. The 46-inches between centers allows for different sizes and pieces, while its heavy-duty cast iron construction ensures that it will withstand decades of use.
Pros:
- Easy to use speed control
- 2 HP motor
- Digital readout
Cons:
- Not designed to handle major woodturning projects
Jet JWL 1440VSK Wood Lathe
This Jet wood lathe is one of the best for table-leg turning. The lathe has sturdy, cast-iron construction with a floor stand.
It has a power of 1 HP, which can turn items such as wide bowl turnings and long and thick spindles. So it has enough power to carry out all the necessary tasks.
This lathe lets you choose from 400-3000 rpm variable speeds, which is necessary for a variety of turning projects. It’s also surprisingly affordable considering its usefulness and quality. One downside to the machine is that it doesn’t have an electronic readout like other models.
The Acme thread found on this tailstock is lockable with an anti-rotation key. The locking system has undergone a redesign and is CSA certified.
With a sliding headstock that pivots 360 degrees and 7 flexible locking positions, this wood lathe is able to turn projects that are smaller too.
The Jet JWL 1440VSK Wood Lathe has some great features, which make it perfect for turning table and chair legs or stair railing spindles. But with a 14-inch swing bed that can extend to 60 inches between the two centers, this wood lathe can turn not only small projects but also large ones.
This machine was designed to turn bowls but it can handle table legs and other projects just as well.
Pros:
- Variable speed (400-3,000 RPM)
- Beds extend up to 60 inches, swing bed up to 40 inches
- Sliding headstock pivots 360 degrees
- 7 positive locking positions
- Anti-rotational key tailstock quill locking
Cons:
- No digital readout
- No reverse function
RIKON 70-150VSR Midi VSR (Best Budget Wood Lathe for Table Legs)
One of the most popular lathes on the market right now is the Rikon 70-150VSR Midi Lathe, and for good reason. The Rikons are wonderfully made, affordable by hobbyist standards, plus there’s a model that works with any skill level from beginner to expert. It’s hard to find another wood lathe as versatile and affordable as this Rikon.
The Rikon 70-150VSR Midi Lathe can do anything from turning bowls to table legs. It’s powerful enough for the professional while being so easy to use, even a beginner should be able to get started with this lathe in no time.
This model features 3-speed ranges (250-850, 430-1450, 950-3200 RPM) with a variety of rotation speed so that it is compatible for any type of turning. Plus you can easily change through the different settings using the electronic variable speed control which makes it more accurate.
Rikon has gone out of its way to make it easier for hobbyists to work on their projects. The digital readout on the Rikon presents a constant update of speed as one changes it, and thanks to the pivoted belt, RPM can be changed without breaking concentration.
Its diameter and length were designed to accommodate bowl-turners as well as those who prefer other projects like table or chair legs. Reverse speed is essential for the advanced woodworker, so Rikon lathe includes it in their mid-range machine.
The lathe is made of cast iron, which provides great durability and also works to dampen motor vibrations.
This lathe has fewer vibrations than other types of lathes. This is good because you can work more with it than you would on other lathes. It also has a control box that is not only corded but also has a magnetic back that moves along the front of the cast iron bed so that you can easily access it when needed.
Pros:
- Reverse and forward function
- Variable speed
- Digital RPM readout
- Cast iron bed that reduces vibration
Cons:
- The lowest speed is 250 RPM
Grizzly Industrial G0766-22″ x 42″ (Best Professional Wood Lathe for Table Legs)
This lathe is perfect for professional woodturners who want to turn large bowls, furniture, and other projects that are bigger in size.
This lathe has all the features you would expect in a top-quality machine. It has an 8 TPI RH spindle, electronic variable speed control, and single-phase power for interchangeability of power sources. Plus it also offers plenty of clearance and torque to make large projects easier to complete with its 22″ swing.
With the bed and stand made from cast iron, this heavy-duty lathe is incredibly stable. The headstock can be positioned anywhere along the bed, which gives you a wide range of control over your projects.
The lathe has a low-speed range of 100-1200 RPM and a high-speed range of 100-3200 RPM.
Pros:
- 3HP motor
- Electronic Variable-Speed 100-3200 RPM
- Digital Readout
- Heavy-duty construction
Cons:
- Expensive
You can read a more in-depth Grizzly Industrial G0766 Wood Lathe Review here.
Complete Buying Guide
When looking for the best wood lathe for turning table legs, you have a few important factors to consider.
Distance between centers
The distance between centers determines the length of wood the lathe is able to hold.
A larger distance between centers means you can turn a bigger project, so we recommend finding the largest size available. If you only want to create smaller objects like ink pens or chess pieces, then a shorter distance between centers may be more suitable.
For most table legs you will need 36 inches between centers. The wood lathes reviewed above have 36 inches or more.
Horsepower
One of the most important considerations before purchasing a wood lathe is horsepower. Whether you’re looking for maximum speed or torque, power is responsible for this, and without enough horsepower, your projects will bog down.
If you plan to turn more than pens and pencils, we recommend a lathe with at least one horsepower.
Swing
When turning table legs with a wood lathe, your swing determines how wide the material can be. This in turn depends on which type of project you need to complete and what resources you have.
RPMs
For a smooth finish and quick work, high RPMs are an important consideration. However, more horsepower is also necessary for higher speeds.
In most cases, high RPMs will result in a faster workflow and a smoother finish. If the machine doesn’t move fast enough, tools won’t cut well.
Variable Speed
One of the most important aspects of a wood lathe is that it can turn at different speeds. Wood laths typically change speed by using dials, pulleys, or increasing/decreasing tension on the machine’s spindle.
Dial adjusting speed proved the most convenient because of its ease and accessibility. These alternative methods are not difficult to use but will only work for projects running at a constant speed, whereas dial adjusting is fast and versatile.
Reverse Direction
One way a wood lathe can improve the user’s workflow is by making it easy to switch directions. While this isn’t always possible on many models, in those cases when it is possible one simply has to flip a switch.
Weight
One consideration to keep in mind before purchasing a wood lathe is how much it weighs. If you want to move the lathe around you need to make sure it is not too heavy. On the other side, a heavier lathe has fewer vibrations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we recommend you choose the Grizzly Industrial G0462 if you are on a budget or the Grizzly Industrial G0766. Any of those two will be able to handle turning table legs and other projects without any problem.
If you’re looking for the best wood lathe, we recommend starting with one that is durable. That way, your investment will last longer and help you make more money in the long run. We hope this article has helped to answer any questions you had about table leg turning or other types of woodworking!