We consider a machine heavy lathe to be a worthy investment in the long run. Let’s take you step by step, type by type, and find the best machine heavy lathe for you.

Our review process: Show/Hide

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Jet Great Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Light: Buy: Shop Fox Machine Heavy Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Face Plate: Buy: Rikon Power Tools Mini Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Turning Large Or Small Pieces Of Wood: Buy: Jet Machine Heavy Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Beginners: Buy: Rikon Power Tools Machine Heavy Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Metric Thread: Buy: Mophorn Machine Heavy Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Woodworking: Buy: Grizzly Machine Heavy Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Pen Turning: Buy: Psi Woodworking Machine Heavy Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Easy Access: Buy: Powermatic New Lathe READ REVIEW

Best For Handy Storage: Buy: Powermatic Machine Heavy Lathe READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Jet Great Lathe

Buy on Amazon

The Jet Great Lathe should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. The jet great lathe is blue, is great for plenty of power and it is compact. Manufacturer says: In every facet of our business, we leverage the strengths of our global infrastructure to maximize the benefits of all three. Moreover, it comes with a nice tool, is very smooth and it provides handy storage.

The lathe is a smooth transition additionally includes a tool storage caddy on each end of the machine. Above all, the jet great lathe has added safety, It comes with excellent customer service and has a perfect design.

Almost all buyers opine that the lathe comes with a simple tail spur, and a head point. Further, they say that the lathe will be necessary to be sure to balance heavier pieces very carefully before turning. Moreover, a few say that the handling of the lathe during shipment, as the pictures show. To sum up, most buyers agree that the lathe suits best, and no one questions it.

• It has a great service department with exceptionally capable people.
• These indicate that they were there at one time.
• This will either read 1900 or 3600 at max, never anything else.
• This is an amazing little machine.

Best For Light: Shop Fox Machine Heavy Lathe

Buy on Amazon

The Shop Fox Machine Heavy Lathe might be a relatively new release, but it's still nothing short of impressive this year, thanks to multiple price cuts and added new features over the past few months. The shop fox machine heavy lathe is good for high torque, runs smoothly, it is used for shipping weight and has a perfect design. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Also, the lathe comes in handy when turning hard or soft species of wood.

The lathe makes for a great buy, It is adjustable and has a professional design. Most importantly, the shop fox machine heavy lathe with distance between centers, is really quiet and it is worth the money.

Most buyers quickly discovered that the lathe had a 2 year warranty from shop Fox. Also, a few strongly agree that the lathe has more horsepower 1/3 vs 1/4 and metal parts than plastic and a two - year warranty. Moreover, a few also found that the chuck on this lathe is not one you would use to hold a metal rod, nor is there a fixed tooling mount for any type of metal working tools.

• This looks good, has a decent finish and should serve the casual turner well.
• This makes the lathe that much better.
• This is made for the fox w1704 1/3-horsepower bench top lathe.
• It is well built and is really easy to use.

Best For Face Plate: Rikon Power Tools Mini Lathe

Buy on Amazon

Next on the list, we've got yet another lathe that manages to win our hearts. It's the Rikon Power Tools Mini Lathe and it's widely considered as one of the most convenient lathes you can buy. The rikon power tools mini lathe is perfect for high quality, is built with good product and it runs great. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. This scaled - down, basic mini lathe is made from cast iron, so vibration is not a factor, unlike other lathes made of aluminum.

The lathe comes with a 10” swing and 18” between the centers, This mini lathe also has a self ejecting tail stock and has easy access to speed change. Most importantly, the rikon power tools mini lathe is sturdy and it is adjustable.

Almost all customers agree that the lathe comes with a chuck should be ok with the13" length though. Also, they also found that the lathe has a thermal overload feature. In addition, a few say that the nova g3 works great for this lathe, tho any 1"-8tpi chuck should work.

• This is a set of chisels and a turning book.
• This is perfect for plenty of power and it is very sturdy.
• This has a variety of chucks with the standard 1” threaded attachment.
• This is very well balanced with no vibration.

Best For Turning Large Or Small Pieces Of Wood: Jet Machine Heavy Lathe

Buy on Amazon

The Jet line of lathes come in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Jet Machine Heavy Lathe is made worth the money and it is current. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. In addition, it allows for maximum versatility and it is great for high quality.

Finally, the jet machine has heavy lathe features that distinguish it from others in its class.

Almost all buyers agree that the lathe is 1” x 8 threads per inch. And, a few say that the lathe is a larger and more expensive powermatic. Moreover, a few strongly agree that the lathe has great power throughout the speed range. In short, many have used the lathe for more than a few months without letup, and it shows no sign of giving up.

• This added protection and allows for great torque.
• This is good for larger/uneven blanks.
• This design is really well thought out, and everything works smoothly smoothly.
• This comes with a 5 year warranty.

Best For Beginners: Rikon Power Tools Machine Heavy Lathe

Buy on Amazon

The features department is where Rikon power tools machine heavy lathe truly manages to shine. The Rikon Power Tools Machine Heavy Lathe is brand new, works well for good quality and it is very solid. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. And, it is blue, is sturdy and it is adjustable.

The lathe has machined ends for adding extensions to increase spindle capacityspecifications. In addition, it has a belt and it is great with plenty of power. Finally, the rikon power tools machine heavylathe is very sturdy, is compact and it is great for lots of speed options.

Most buyers quickly discovered that the lathe is a regular plug into a 110 volt wall outlet, a dedicated 20 amp outlet would be best for it. And, they also found that the lathe was designed to turn metal. In addition, they strongly agree that this lathe does not support outboard turning. With no doubts, this lathe passed the test and had very satisfied buyers eager to share their experience.

• Ball-bearing construction for smooth, precise spindle operation.
• This comes with wrenches and knock out pins and the manual is very helpful.
• Electronic variable speed controls, wider range of operating speeds, digital rpm readout for.
• A powerful 1hp dc motor provides ample power for all turning needs.

Best For Metric Thread: Mophorn Machine Heavy Lathe

Buy on Amazon

The Mophorn Machine Heavy Lathe is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your daily use. The mophorn machineheavy lathe is an exceptional tool for performing various wood-related operations like cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, etc. A powerful 550w motor with electronic variable-speed spindle control and a digital rpm readout for precise speed adjustments, makes this lathe a top choice. The mini lathe machine is equipped with a powerful and long - lasting 550w motor to handle materials of various sizes with precision and efficiency.

Above all, the mophorn machine heavy lathe allows for excellent performance, It is great for pens and has a professional design.

Almost all customers quickly discovered that the lathe was the same model as the grizzly but with 3 speed pulleys compared to 2 on the grizzly and a metric spindle compared to the imperial one on the grizzly. In addition, they strongly agree that the lathe comes with a really crappy manual that is very little help. In conclusion, most customers call the lathe suits best, and no one questions it.

• This allows using m2 accessories plus fitting on one of their pullys.
• This is an ideal tool for use in labs, workshops, engineering and education.
• The mini wood lathe features a great speed range, 500.
• This is easy to read via the digital speed display.

Best For Woodworking: Grizzly Machine Heavy Lathe

Buy on Amazon

The Grizzly line of lathes comes in a pretty wide variety of styles, so you can definitely find one that suits your individual preferences and needs. The Grizzly Machine Heavy Lathe is built with great customer service, It is made with precision machine and has a perfect design. If you want to add more mass, the legs feature shelf supports for your own custom-built shelf. Further, it is flexible, is used for plenty of power and it is made with a good product.

The lathe is very smooth, has a spindle lock and it has minimized vibration. Finally, the grizzly machine heavy lathe is great for belt wear solution and it is easy to assemble.

Most buyers quickly discovered that the lathe works well and changes speed quickly. Moreover, they also found that the lathe is securely bolted inside a very strong custom crate. Moreover, a few strongly agree that this lathe will definitely handle up to 15.75” in diameter.

• This lacks reverse and full variable drive.
• This is a snap too, Just loosen the headstock and swivel it up to 360.
• This has a variable speed of 700.
• This has a 1" - 8 tpi headstock, #2 morse taper inside.

Best For Pen Turning: Psi Woodworking Machine Heavy Lathe

Buy on Amazon

Compared with other lathes in this category, the Psi Woodworking Machine Heavy Lathe has a convenient design. The psi woodworking machineheavy lathe is made of extruded anodized aluminum. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Moreover, it is sturdy and it is current.

Lastly, the psi woodworking machine heavylathe is portable, is worth the money and it is built with good products.

Almost all buyers found that the lathe has enough hp & torque for turning that material. In addition, they strongly agree that the lathe comes with a collet type mandrel. And, they strongly agree that the lathe is not noisy, however an apartment may be more enclosed and obviously closer to neighbours. In short, buyers found this to be one of the best lathes for daily purposes.

• It is easy to set up and use.
• This is suitable for most woods, but not for acrylic.
• This is a very lightweight lathe with lots of speed, but not much torque.
• Headstock threaded to 3/4" x 16tpi; tailstock uses #1 morse taper mount (1mt).

Best For Easy Access: Powermatic New Lathe

Buy on Amazon

We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention Powermatic New Lathe for daily usage. The powermatic new lathe allows greater clearance when positioned at the end of the bed for outboard turning. As a market leader in woodturning, Powermatic is proud to offer the powerful pm2014 model lathe. In addition, the lathe reduces vibration when turning larger and rougher pieces.

The lathe is perfect for great quality, is perfect for easy access to tools and it is very smoothly. In addition, the lathe has a belt and has professional design. Most importantly, the powermatic new lathe is used for single-phase, It adds protection and has a perfect design.

Almost all buyers agree that the lathe used to be “the gold standard. And, they strongly agree that the lathe is built to a high standard of quality. Further, they strongly agree that this is a new lathe and has only been lightly used, for under 10 hours in total.

• These are fine lathes that are used with joy on a daily basis.
• This is as good as the larger 3250, and it’s an absolute pleasure to use.
• The lathe mounting holes were not located as indicated in the owners manual.
• This is a frequently reported problem.

Best For Handy Storage: Powermatic Machine Heavy Lathe

Buy on Amazon

If you often find yourself confused about the appropriate and satisfactory lathe, Powermatic Machine Heavy Lathe is your solution. The powermatic machine heavy lathe reduces vibration when turning larger and rougher pieces. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. And, the lathe comes with a capacity of 14" swing over the bed and 20" between the centers, which can be increased with the optional 13" bed extension.

The lathe allows greater clearance when positioned at the end of the bed for outboard turning. Further, this reduces motor vibration for decreased noise and added precision. Lastly, the powermatic machine heavy lathe is used for single-phase and it is very smoothly.

One customer says - "With this lathe you may not need to "move" to a "full size" lathe. ". They strongly agree that the laguna mid - size lathe is considered to be the standard for mid - size lathes.

• It is compact and it is made for handy storage.
• Handy storage: attached tool caddy holds centers, wrenches, and accessories.
• Comfort: ergonomic, chrome-trimmed hand wheels provide a comfortable feel.
• Versatility: 24 positive locking indexing positions simplifies the indexing process.