Power Metal Lathe is a woodworking machine used to shape wood or other materials using a rotating abrasive tool. The woodworker controls the speed and direction of the power metal lathe, and the size and shape of the finished product. Power metal lathes come in a variety of sizes from personal to professional grade. The most common type of power metal lathe is the back-strap lathe, which is controlled by a strap attached to the operator’s hand or foot. Some of the renowned brands are Grizzly, Woodtek, Jet and Atlas.
Choosing the right power metal lathe is difficult as there are many factors to consider like size, shape, speed and price. To make it easier to find the exact power metal lathe you’re looking for, we rounded up the best power metal lathes on Amazon, according to thousands of customer reviews.
Check out our favorite power metal lathes in the list below, and keep reading for our buying guide.
Our Editor’s Best Power Metal Lathes Reviews
- Direct Drive Motor: The mini metal lathe machine adopts a direct drive motor, no belt drive, and no need to replace the belt. 800W brushless motor that provides more power and avoids the need for brush replacements, saving time and effort.
- Built to Last: The mini metal lathe is built to last with high-quality HT200 cast iron. They come equipped with wear-resistant and strong metal gears and aluminum alloy handwheels, ensuring a longer service life.
- Continuously Variable: Features a spindle that can turn in both forward and reverse directions with 150-2500 RPM continuously variable speed range. It also has intelligent electric speed controls and a digital display, allowing for convenient data reading.
- Widely Used: 7'' x 16'' metal lathe machine can be used for processing precision parts and models. A wide range of turning pitches can create 19 kinds of threads, 9 kinds of the metric system (0.5-3 mm), and 10 kinds of the imperial system (10-44 TPI).
- Security Comes First: Our power metal lathes have multiple security features in case of emergency, ensuring operator security. These include an emergency stop switch, overload protection, chuck cover power off switch, and a main control panel security switch.
- Sturdy & Durable Construction: The mini lathe is made of high-quality cast iron which stands up to tear and wear. It is equipped with a 600W motor that delivers a great deal of energy. If you are into making models, it would be your professional assistant who has precise metric graduations and metal gears and therefore is punctilious.
- Infinitely Variable Speeds: Revolving Speed Range: 50-2250±10% RPM. The mini lathe machine comes with variable speeds that give you the convenience to achieve the best work. This lathe allows you to work on both forward or reverse of any possible speed. The feeding rate can be adjusted manually or automatically. And an emergency button is accessible just in case.
- Works with Precision: Spindle Bore: 0.8"/21 mm. The metal working lathe is pre-installed with a 3-jaw chuck, 3.9"/100 mm in diameter, which clamps raw materials tight, and a backsplash guard that ensures your security during operation.
- Faster & More Effective: Swing Over Bed: 8.3"/210 mm. Swing Over Cross Slide: 13.8"/350 mm. The small metal lathe features a turret post for quick tool change and a cross slide for free blade moving, making internal cutting, face cutting and bevel cutting possible.
- Adjustable Tailstock: Taper in Tailstock Spindle: MT3. Rotate the lever clockwise to lock the spindle, and rotate clockwise to advance the handwheel. To off-set the tailstock for cutting tapers by adjusting the four set screws located on the tailstock base.
- Direct Drive Motor: The mini metal lathe machine adopts a direct drive motor, no belt drive, and no need to replace the belt. 800W brushless motor that provides more power and avoids the need for brush replacements, saving time and effort.
- Built to Last: The mini metal lathe is built to last with high-quality HT200 cast iron. They come equipped with wear-resistant and strong metal gears and aluminum alloy handwheels, ensuring a longer service life.
- Continuously Variable: Features a spindle that can turn in both forward and reverse directions with 150-2500 RPM continuously variable speed range. It also has intelligent electric speed controls and a digital display, allowing for convenient data reading.
- Widely Used: 7'' x 16'' metal lathe machine can be used for processing precision parts and models. A wide range of turning pitches can create 19 kinds of threads, 9 kinds of the metric system (0.5-3 mm), and 10 kinds of the imperial system (10-44 TPI).
- Security Comes First: Our power metal lathes have multiple security features in case of emergency, ensuring operator security. These include an emergency stop switch, overload protection, chuck cover power off switch, and a main control panel security switch.
- Widely Used: Our metal lathe machine, measuring 8.3'' x 29.5'', is perfect for processing precision parts and models. It has a wide range of turning pitches that can create 24 different kinds of threads, including 14 metric system (ranging from 0.3-3mm) and 10 imperial system (ranging from 10-44 TPI) threads.
- Built to Last: Our power metal lathes are built to last with high-quality HT200 cast iron. They come equipped with wear-resistant and strong metal gears and aluminum alloy handwheels, ensuring a longer service life.
- 750W Brushless Motor: Our benchtop metal lathe features a 750W brushless motor that provides more power and avoids the need for brush replacements, saving time and effort.
- Continuously Variable: Features a spindle that can turn in both forward and reverse directions, with two-speed options: a high gear of 100-2500 rpm and a low gear of 50-1250 rpm. It also has intelligent electric speed controls and a digital display, allowing for accurate speed adjustments and making your work easier.
- Security Comes First: Our metal lathe machine has multiple security features in case of emergency, ensuring operator security. These include an emergency stop switch, overload protection, chuck cover power off switch, pulley set housing power off switch, and a main control panel security switch.
- Widely Used: Our metal lathe machine, measuring 8.3'' x 29.5'', is perfect for processing precision parts and models. It has a wide range of turning pitches that can create 24 different kinds of threads, including 14 metric system (ranging from 0.3-3mm) and 10 imperial system (ranging from 10-44 TPI) threads.
- Built to Last: Our power metal lathes are built to last with high-quality HT200 cast iron. They come equipped with wear-resistant and strong metal gears and aluminum alloy handwheels, ensuring a longer service life.
- 750W Brushless Motor: Our benchtop metal lathe features a 750W brushless motor that provides more power and avoids the need for brush replacements, saving time and effort.
- Continuously Variable: Features a spindle that can turn in both forward and reverse directions, with two-speed options: a high gear of 100-2500 rpm and a low gear of 50-1250 rpm. It also has intelligent electric speed controls and a digital display, allowing for accurate speed adjustments and making your work easier.
- Security Comes First: Our metal lathe machine has multiple security features in case of emergency, ensuring operator security. These include an emergency stop switch, overload protection, chuck cover power off switch, pulley set housing power off switch, and a main control panel security switch.
- Precise Engineering: Ideal for professionals, this power metal lathe's high-precision 4-inch 3-jaw chuck handles both square and round objects with equal aplomb. It's especially suitable for jobs requiring high accuracy, such as threading.
- Large Working Capacity: This metal working lathe cranks out 550W and handles small to medium projects. It provides a 7.09"/180mm swing over bed and 13.78"/350mm center distance so that you can manage more extensive projects.
- Upgrade Design: This small metal lathe uses metal gear instead of a nylon one. Aluminum handwheel can increase service life. Automatic power-off protection switch to make it safer. An extra LED lamp can help you finish processing in places with insufficient light.
- Complete Control: The lathe's rotational speed can be set from 50 to 2500rpm and monitored by the digital display; the well-crafted head and tailstocks, large through-hole, and 4-way tool post also contribute to providing greater control of your work.
- Professional Construction: 4-way quick change tool post can install 4 standard turning tools at the same time. You can adjust tool post forwards/backward by turn blade adjustors with accurate scales clockwise/anticlockwise.
- High Precision Operation: Our metal lathes boast exceptional precision, ensuring that every work piece meets the tightest tolerances and specifications.It’s high-precision 4-inch 3-jaw chuck handles both square and round objects with equal aplomb. It's designed for jobs requiring high accuracy, such as threading.
- User-Friendly Operation for Enhanced Efficiency: Designed with user-centric controls and intuitive digital display, our metal lathe is incredibly easy to operate, even for those with limited experience.
- Durability and Longevity for Cost-Effective Investment: This small metal lathe uses metal gear instead of a nylon one. Aluminum hand wheel can increase service life. Automatic power-off protection switch to make it safer. An extra LED lamp can help you finish processing in places with insufficient light.
- Adjustable Rotation Speed: The lathe's rotational speed can be set from 50 to 2500rpm and monitored by the digital display; the well-crafted head and tail stocks, large through-hole, and 4-way tool post also contribute to providing greater control of your work. Make our lathe an indispensable tool for achieving superior quality in metalworking.
- Professional Construction: 4-way quick change tool post can install 4 standard turning tools at the same time. You can adjust tool post forwards/backward by turn blade adjusters with accurate scales clockwise/anticlockwise.
- [Metric & Imperial] Switching between metric and imperial is no longer required by changing gears, Only need to operate through the panel, save a lot of time.
- [Gearless Design] New gearless design! Brand new belt drive! Lower noise, no longer need to change gears to adjust the processing thread, only need to operate on the panel, processing efficiency greatly improved!
- [Self-acting Feed] Self-acting feed design enables automatic feed speed adjustment from 0.01mm to 0.4mm, and can set self-acting feed speed through the panel, greatly improve the machining accuracy and efficiency.
- [Variable Speed] Spindle rotation speed is divided into two adjustable gears: 50-1250 rpm and 1250-2500rpm. Panel can observe the rotation speed in real time,which is convenient and flexible.
- [High Precision] The saddle handle, tailstock handle, and movable center feature precise metric scales for accurate and professional work in the Precision Metal Bench Lathe category.
- High-Precision Engineering: Featuring a 4-inch 3-jaw chuck, this mini metal lathe ensures accurate handling of both square and round objects, making it perfect for threading and other high-precision tasks
- Large Working Capacity: With a 7.09" swing over the bed and a 13.78" center distance, this 550W benchtop lathe is ideal for small to medium projects, offering ample space for more extensive work
- Variable Speed Control: The lathe offers infinitely variable speeds from 50-2250 RPM, easily adjustable via a digital display. The emergency stop button adds an extra layer of safety during operation
- Durable Construction: Made from high-grade iron and equipped with durable metal gears, this lathe ensures wear-resistance and professional-grade accuracy. The full-length splashguard provides maximum protection
- Enhanced Visibility & Safety: Equipped with an automatic power-off protection switch and an additional LED lamp, this lathe ensures improved visibility in low-light environments and enhanced safety during operation
- Large 1″ Spindle Bore, larger than most in this size range
- Quick Change Spindle Mount, secure mount for both forward and reverse, plus allows chuck changes in seconds!
- POWER CROSS FEED as well as feed on the carriage – Both in, out, left, and right
- AXA Wedge Type Quick Change Tool Post set included, installed, ready for use – Compare with others, most in this class do not even have it available as an option, or require extensive modifications to mount one
- Variable Spindle Speeds
Best Power Metal Lathes Buying Guide
Before choosing the best power metal lathe you should consider following options:
1. Power Source: The first step in choosing a metal lathe is to determine the power source you want. Electric, diesel and gas are the three most common options.
Electric models typically have a maximum speed of 800-1,500 RPM, and are more affordable than other options. But they are also the noisiest and produce the most vibration.
Diesel models are the most powerful and have a maximum speed of 2,000-3,000 RPM. They also produce the least amount of vibration and noise. However, they are the most expensive option.
Gas-powered models typically have a maximum speed of 1,800-3,000 RPM and produce the least amount of vibration.
But you will have to buy gas and oil for them. They are also the second most expensive option. The first step in choosing the right power source is determining what your job requirements are.
If you will be cutting a lot of steel, then a diesel or gas model will be a better option. If you will mostly be woodworking, then an electric model will be a better option.
2. Tonnage: Tonnage refers to the mass that the lathe can hold while cutting. It also gives an idea of the maximum cutting diameter that the machine can hold.
A lathe with a higher tonnage will be more stable and can hold a larger work piece. A higher tonnage also means that the cutting tools will have to travel a shorter distance while cutting.
This leads to a lesser amount of heat being produced, which in turn leads to a longer tool life. The first step in determining the tonnage of a lathe is to calculate the mass of the largest work piece that you will be cutting.
You can then calculate the tonnage based on the mass and maximum cutting diameter. A common rule of thumb is to get a lathe with a tonnage that is at least 2-3 times the mass that you will be cutting.
3. Horsepower: Horsepower is the measurement of the torque or twisting force of a lathe. It is measured in kilo-newton meter (kNm) and is calculated by multiplying the RPM by the belt ratio.
A higher horsepower indicates that the machine will have a higher cutting capacity. It also indicates that the lathe will have a higher speed.
A higher horsepower also means that the cutting tools will have to travel a shorter distance while cutting, which leads to a lesser amount of heat being produced, and in turn a longer tool life.
A higher horsepower also indicates that the machine will be more powerful and can support longer work pieces. The first step in determining the horsepower of a lathe is to calculate the mass of the largest work piece that you will be cutting.
You can then calculate the horsepower based on the mass and maximum cutting diameter. A common rule of thumb is to get a lathe with a horsepower that is at least 2-3 times the mass that you will be cutting.
4. Spindle Speed: The speed at which the cutting tools rotate is called spindle speed. It is measured in RPM.
A higher spindle speed indicates a higher cutting capacity. It also leads to a lesser amount of heat being produced, and in turn a longer tool life.
A higher spindle speed also indicates that the machine will have a higher horsepower. The first step in determining the speed of the lathe is to calculate the mass of the largest work piece that you will be cutting
What else you should know about power metal lathes
1. What are the best power metal lathes?
The best power metal lathes are those that offer the most features and versatility. Some of the best power metal lathes on the market include the Jet JWL-1221VS, the Delta Industrial 46-460, and the Grizzly G0602. These lathes offer a variety of features that make them ideal for a variety of different applications.
2. What are the features of the best power metal lathes?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the best power metal lathes vary depending on the specific needs and preferences of the user. However, some of the features that are commonly considered to be important in a power metal lathe include a strong motor, a sturdy build, a large spindle bore, and a wide range of speed settings.
3. What are the benefits of using a power metal lathe?
Some benefits of using a power metal lathe include the ability to work with harder metals, greater precision, and increased speed and efficiency.
4. How do I choose the best power metal lathe for my needs?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors, including the specific needs of the user and the budget. However, some tips on choosing the best power metal lathe for your needs include considering the lathe’s capabilities (such as its maximum speed, power, and size), as well as its features (such as its chuck size and type, tool rest, and spindle). It is also important to read reviews of power metal lathes before making a purchase.
5. What are the top power metal lathe manufacturers?
The top power metal lathe manufacturers are Willis, Bolton, and Grizzly.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best power metal lathes. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best power metal lathes will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.