Thinking about starting to turn wood? Or are you considering an upgrade from your current lathe? If you are, here are a few things to look for that may help you choose the right one.

There are a lot of lathe options out there, many good ones to choose from. However, not all lathes are created the same, and not every lathe fits every user intent. In addition, lathes can be costly and manufacturers support various from brand to brand. All of this can place stress on decision making. As you take the time to consider your needs, experience level, and budget, I’ve put forth my thoughts, feelings, and recommendations based on my personal experience and understanding of lathes.

My Top 2 Woodturning Starter Lathes (ranking order):

1. Nova Comet
2. Harbor Freight

Why I Picked the Nova Comet as the Number One Choice?

I speak from experience when recommending the Nova Comet as my number one choice for a starter lathe (click to check the current price on Rockler) It was my first lathe and I’ve had it for many years. And although much of my work warrants a bigger and better lathe, I still come back to use it for many projects. My primary reasons for recommending the Nova Comet include:

• Support – It is reassuring to know that should you have a problem with the lathe, the manufacturer is available for support. About 4 years into using my Nova Comet, the speed dial had been giving me some problems. Nova support was available to help. One of their technicians patiently walked me through a diagnostic and help me identify the problem. As it turns out I hadn’t kept up with some of the maintenance and sawdust made its way into places that it shouldn’t. The confidence in knowing that I have a resource to help and guide me when there is a problem is priceless.
• Manufacturer – Nova has been around since 1956. They have been making lathes and selling them internationally for many years. They are experienced in doing so and continue to improve their products and competitively engineer improvements, like their DVR technology. They’ve won numerous awards and they are highly regarded within the woodworking industry.
• Accessories – Nova has some of the best accessories for the lathe. They have a wide variety of chucks, sharpening attachments, cole jaw accessories and so much more. Knowing that their accessories will easily work together saves time and the frustration of having to figure out whether or not a particular accessory works with what lathe.

Why is Harbor Freight on the List?

•  Cost and Value – Getting into woodturning can be expensive and although my first choice for a starter lathe is the Nova Comet, I think Harbor Freight’s CENTRAL MACHINERY is a great buy at under $300 (click here to check the current price at Harbor Freight). You may not get the bells and whistles that come with the Nova Comet but this lathe can meet all new turner’s basic needs. From small bowls and pens to wine stoppers and handles, this lathe is will suffice. If you’re new to turning and cost is a prohibitive factor, this is a great piece of equipment to learn on. And as experience, confidence, and needs grow, you can always upgrade to a bigger and more substantial, and reliable lathe.

Top Intermediate Woodturner’s Lathes: Nova Galaxi DVR

I love this Nova Galaxi DVR lathe (click here to check the current price on Rockler.) It runs smoothly and has plenty of power. Made of cast iron, its legs and bed are sturdy. The DVR functionality of the headstock is excellent. You can dial the speed up or down almost instantaneously. There is built-in braking, so your work doesn’t take forever to slow down. 

There is a spindle lock on the head for changing chucks. The tailstock is very smooth and has a pretty long bed (44″ between centers) and has a little storage door to hold extra live centers and such. The machine runs on standard 110v. It also has a reverse rotation function, great for changing the sanding direction.

Another great feature is its pivoting headstock. This allows you to turn the headstock perpendicular to the body so you can turn items larger than the 16″ swing would ordinarily allow. An outrigger accessory is recommended for that functionality (click here to check the current price on Rockler). And like the Nova Comet, you have responsive support, reliable manufacturing, and a plethora of accessories available. Best of all, however, is that the Nova Galaxi lathe is modestly priced compared to its competitors for a similar size piece of equipment.

Best Lathe for the Expert Woodturner: Robust Lathes

I don’t yet own a Robust lathe, but I assure you I soon will (click here to check the current price on Robust). I’ve been eyeing Robust lathes for some time. They are like the Rolls Royce of lathes. Analogously they are priced a bit higher than their competitors. But for good reason and here is what has me sold on them:

• Made in the USA – All Robust lathes and accessories are made in their own machine and fabrication shop in Barneveld, Wisconsin.
• Design – Robust lathes were designed by woodturners. Therefore, many of the design features like the flexible location of the emergency stop, the tilt-away feature, and many of its options are unique to Robust and not available on other lathes.
• Support – If you haven’t figured it out yet, this is top of my list when embarking on a major purchase. And Robust has a responsive support team and offers a generous 7-year warranty.
• Flexibility and size – They offer large size models with flexibility. For example, their Sweet 16 model offers the ability to turn up to a 32″ bowl with its removable bed section. It’s available in both short and long lengths.
• Power Options – some models offer you the option of either 110v or 220v.
• Made to order – Each machine is built to your specifications and choice of options. The machine is custom made for you and your woodturning needs.

Considerations and Features to Look for in When Purchasing a Lathe:

• Swing – This indicates the maximum diameter workpiece you can turn on a lathe. If you measure from the top of the bed to the center of the spindle and then double that value, you’ll get the swing. The Nova Galaxi lathe has a swing of 16″ (8″ from the top of its bed to the center of its spindle). It’s important to understand your needs and whether or not the swing of any lathe you are considering will meet your needs. 
• Length – or sometimes referred to as the “distance between centers” is the maximum length size of the piece you can turn. So for example, the Nova Galaxi lathe is 44″ between centers. This means that 44″ is the max spindle length that I can turn on that machine. Personally, I turn a lot of bowls, so length is less of a concern that its swing.
• Support – I’m not an expert at the mechanics of machinery so manufacturer support is VERY important to me. These equipment purchases are expensive, so having a reliable resource to help with problems, questions, or concerns is a priority and something you should consider when making an investment in a lathe (or large machinery purchase).
• Weight – The lathe is expected to turn heavy objects at high speeds and therefor it is important that the weight of the machine can handle the needs of your work. There’s no point in having a lathe with high power and no weight to it. The absence of a substantial base will limit what you can turn and potentially cause imbalance issues. A lathe should be solid through and through.
• Safety – This is important to consider. If you have a piece of wood spinning at a few hundred or thousand RPMs, you want to make sure you can stop that motion in the event of an emergency. The breaks should be responsive and in a convenient location.
• Power – 110v vs. 220v…do you have the correct electrical receptacles to power your machine?

About Woodturning Lathes

A woodturning lathe is used to shape wood into cylindrical profiles. Similar to a potter’s wheel, the lathe serves as a tool that helps sculpts wood blocks (mostly referred to as blanks) into various cylindrically shaped forms. Objects fashioned on a wood lathe include such items as furniture legs, pens, bowls, and other ornamental works of art. The craft of woodturning can be both a rewarding pastime and/or a full-time vocation. 

Although turning on a lathe takes much practice and skill-building, the art can be learned. Many inspiring turners look to the nearest neighborhood turning group or find a fellow turner who is willing to take on an apprentice. Woodturning classes and schools also provide an avenue for novices to learn the discipline…and with the explosion of social media like YouTube, instructional videos are in abundance. Never before has the ability to learn how to turn wood been more accessible.