The 8 Best Hobby Lathes (2022 reviews)

hobby lathes
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We consider a hobby lathe to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you pick the right one for your purposes from all the best available products in market today.

Our review process:

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall:
Buy: Shop Fox Hobby Lathe
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Best For Small Size:
Buy: Ywy Hobby Lathe
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Best For Woodworking:
Buy: Grizzly Hobby Lathe
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Best For Mass Production:
Buy: Hedday Hobby Lathe
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Best For Convenient Access:
Buy: Powermatic Hobby Lathe
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Best For Variable Speed:
Buy: Ele Eleoption Hobby Lathe
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Best For Lathe Diy Enthusiasts:
Buy: Balance World Inc Hobby Lathe
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Best For Motor Speed:
Buy: Muchentec Hobby Lathe
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Best Overall: Shop Fox Hobby Lathe

Shop Fox Hobby Lathe
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If you want nothing but the best long-standing lathe, then Shop Fox hobby lathe is the one you should definitely consider, as it manages to bring a lot to the table. The shop 's Fox hobby lathe is precise and it is designed for light duty. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, it is more powerful and it is great for plenty of power.

The lathe is perfect for shipping weight, is simple and it is ideal for pen turning. Lastly, the Shop Fox Hobby Lathe includes two tool rests and additionally features a safety paddle switch, an MT no.

Almost all customers opine that the lathe allows you to cut exact pieces. Also, a few strongly agree that the lathe fits many brands of lathe. And, a few also found that the lathe makes the lathe that much better. To sum up, buyers found this to be one of the best lathes for daily purposes.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is that the manual is wrong, and this is confirmed with the company.
  • This offers them they only sell wholesale.
  • This has a 2 year warranty from Fox.
  • This comes with the correct size arbors.

Best For Small Size: Ywy Hobby Lathe

Ywy Hobby Lathe
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The Ywy Hobby Lathe is capable of outshining several other lathes featured in this list in overall features in its price range. The ywy hobby lathe is good for strong power, is sturdy and it is portable. With 7 levels of power adapter it enables you to adjust the rotating speed easily to meet different cutting speed. In addition, the lathe works well for good quality and it is simple.

The baths have a nice day and it is great for small size. Moreover, this works quietly and it is good for product size. Above all, the ywy hobby lathe is suitable for all small square or cylindrical timbers such as pterocarpus santalinus, dalbergia odorifera, thuja sutchuenensis, etc.

Almost all customers found that the lathe was very soft aluminum and you were using a file to cut it. And, they say that the lathe can not use an, mt1 or mt2 tailstcock live center. Moreover, a few say that the lathe will turn up to a 3" length of wood. Overall, for almost all customers, Ywy product was what they were looking for.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is a drill chuck only not change.
  • High quality aluminum alloy base and pure steel structure drill chuck.
  • This lathe will not bore a hole for an ink cartridge.
  • This is perfect for high quality aluminum alloy and it is great for chess pieces.

Best For Woodworking: Grizzly Hobby Lathe

Grizzly Hobby Lathe
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Next on the list, we've got yet another lathe that manages to win our hearts. It's the Grizzly hobby lathe and it's widely considered as one of the most convenient lathes you can buy. The Grizzly Hobby Lathe comes with a 2 hp motor and sports a spindle tachometer with a digital readout. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. And, the lathe is much more, is very smooth, it is made with a precision machine and has a perfect design.

The lathe is flexible, it is easy to assemble and has a professional design. Also, this is perfect for belt wear solution and it would be perfect with great customer service. Lastly, the grizzly hobby lathe is used for shipping weight and it is made with good products.

Almost all customers agree that the lathe is similar to the similar jet and powermatic designs. Moreover, they strongly agree that the lathe is packaged in a long plywood bolted down, and it is decently hefty for its price-point. Moreover, they also found that this lathe will definitely handle up to 15.75” in diameter. Consequently, buyers were very happy to recommend it to friends and families.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This is pretty easy to carry to the workshop for assembly.
  • This works well and changes speed quickly.
  • This is made for shaping and / or deep passes.
  • This is securely bolted inside a very strong custom crate.

Best For Mass Production: Hedday Hobby Lathe

Hedday Hobby Lathe
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Compared with other lathes in this category, the Hedday hobbylathe has a convenient design. The Hedday Hobby Lathe is suitable for mass production or commercial use. Mini lathe bead polisher machine. And, the lathe is good for other materials and it is built with excellent craftsmanship.

Most importantly, the hedday hobby lathe is good for strong power and it is portable.

Why We Like This:
  • This is suitable for engraving and it is good for other security operations.
  • Delivers what they promise.

Best For Convenient Access: Powermatic Hobby Lathe

Powermatic Hobby Lathe
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The Powermatic Hobby Lathe is the most convenient lathe on the market today. The powermatic hobby lathe is perfect for turners short on space, or projects where a short bed is convenient. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, this includes a two-position mount for the optional bed extension, a sliding hammer knockout rod with brass tip, and an attached tool caddy and a metal shelf for tool storage.

Lastly, the powermatic hobby lathe includes a digital rpm readout, built in spindle indexing on the head stock, and a re-designed tailstock with internal storage, chrome trimmed handwheels, and a laser etched quill which is self-ejecting.

One customer says - "You can shift the headstock to the right side and (with the bed extension and tool rest) it will turn 40. ". Almost all buyers agree that the lathe will turn 19”-20” with the headstock in the left side position.

Why We Like This:
  • Ergonomic handwheels: chrome-trimmed handwheels for a comfortable feel.
  • Improved chisel movement: redesigned tool rest geometry.
  • Brass-tipped knockout bar: concentrates the action on the sliding handle.
  • This allows for convenient access to tools and it has improved chisel movement.

Best For Variable Speed: Ele Eleoption Hobby Lathe

Ele Eleoption Hobby Lathe
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Not everyone likes to purchase a lathe for their daily usage, but the Ele Eleoption Hobby Lathe would be an anomoly. The ele eleoption hobbylathe is made of advanced aluminum alloy, durable and non-deformable for usage. The Manufacturer says: At the same time, we offer several height increase films for you to adjust the height of the turning tool. Moreover, it can process wood, plastic and soft metals (pure copper and pure aluminum).can't process alloy, brass rod.s.

The lathe is great for motor speed and it is current. In addition, the lathe has a handle scale, is sturdy and it is adjustable. Lastly, the ele eleoption hobby lathe can be solved by raising the height of the turning tool, that is, adding a spacer under the blade.

Most buyers found that the lathe is suitable for model railroading. Further, they also found that the lathe comes with a power adapter that converts from 110v ac to the required fixed dc voltage. Also, they say that this lathe is a great learning opportunity.

Top Customer Quotes:
  • This mini lathe is very well made with high quality light weight materials.
  • This provides only 2 amps of power and repeatedly trips and resets every five seconds.
  • This is not acceptable for a power tool.
  • You can change it to your own drill chuck, or contract us for chucks.

Best For Lathe Diy Enthusiasts: Balance World Inc Hobby Lathe

Balance World Inc Hobby Lathe
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The features department is where the balance world and hobby lathe truly manage to shine. The Balance World Inc Hobby Lathe is made of advanced aluminum alloy, durable and non-deformable for usage. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, the lathe is the perfect gift for lathe daily enthusiasts. Above all, the balance world inc hobby lathe is great for motor speed and it is compatible with plug type.

Why We Like This:
  • Interesting to install and use, perfect gift for lathe daily enthusiasts.
  • Lot of satisfied buyers.

Best For Motor Speed: Muchentec Hobby Lathe

Muchentec Hobby Lathe
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Muchentec offers a variety of lathes for personal choice and yet maintains quality in all the variants. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. . When it comes to searching for an optimal lathe, the Muchentec Hobby Lathe is definitely your first choice.

Why We Like This:
  • Normal edition mini lathe machine daily power tool woodworking hobby model making.
  • Delivers what they promise.