Best Wood Lathe for Making Bowls [Large and Small]

Getting the right size is the first step to getting a good wood lathe. That is why we have here our list of 5 best wood lathe for turning bowls.

Best Wood Lathe for Making Bowls

• Delta Industrial 46-460 12-1/2-Inch Variable-Speed Midi Lathe

If wood crafts are your thing, then you’d enjoy turning bowls with this wood lathe. If you deal with smaller tasks or sculpture projects too, then this too will prove really useful in your hands.

The Delta Industrial 46-460 is a midi lathe that comes with lots of features. For instance, it allows adjustable speed setting that can reach up to 1725 RPM, that is enough power to work your projects with no problem at all.

Its swing capacity stands at 12.5 inches, and you can throw it into reverse by flipping the switch.

This tool’s belt tension system lets you change speed having to manually reset the belt. Lastly, it features a cast iron base that makes this wood lathe for turning bowls last longer.

Its warranty is up to 5-years.

Features

It can hit 1 hp max, 1,725 rpm motor

It has a drive spindle of 1 inch-8 RH TPi thread.

This tool has a large 12-1/2-inch swing capacity possess the largest capacity in its class.

The machine has an electronic variable speed with 3-pulley speed ranges to provide enough speed for woodturning projects without changing the belt position.

Pros

This wood machine tool has a 5-year warranty

It comes with a full reverse mode

It features an ingenious design

Changing the speed is simple

The changing of speeds is easy

Cons

It is costly

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• Jet JWL-1015 Wood Working Lathe

If you’re a newbie in the woodturning and searching for the best wood lathe for turning large bowls, then you should opt for the Jet 1015.

This tool is readily affordable and, even better, it delivers when we talking about performance. You should purchase this machine if you want to handle small or medium size woodworking tasks.

Surprisingly, this wood lathe tool boasts of 6 unique speeds, with the highest being 3975 RPM, that is higher than the best overall wood lathe for turning bowl on our list.

One thing that is more of a con this tool performs is the standard tension belt that needs you to readjust it when you are changing the speeds.

Another factor you should know about this tool is that it lacks the reverse feature, like in the case of Delta Industrial 46-460.

In the end, it is wonderful for beginners. Plus, the tool comes with a 5-year guarantee, with solid construction.

Features

Thus machine tool has an integrated 24 position indexing

It has a 6 spindle of 500, 840, 1240, 1800, 2630, and 3975

The tool features a 15-1/2” between centers

It comes with broader ways so you can enjoy a better rigidity

Features an improved tensioning system that makes access to belts simpler.

Pros

The pricing is affordable

It boats of great qualities

This tool is excellent for beginners (one of the best wood lathe for turning large bowls for beginners).

It is high quality and delivers

The machine comes with a 5-year warranty.

Cons

It lacks any reverse option

It does not handle larger projects well

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• NOVA 1624 II 16 x 24″ 8 Speed Wood Lathe, Black (SKU 24221) – Best Wood lathe for turning Large Bowls

The NOVA 1624 II is the best wood lathe for turning bowls amongst the many superior wood LATHE by NOVA. This machine features some wonderful abilities that lets you have some wonderful experience with your turning projects.

It is able to deliver amazing functionality for as long as you want it.

This tool has a strong 1.5HP motor with eight speeds that fall between the numbers of 215-3600 rpm for Canadian and US citizens. Other parts of the world get 178-3000 rpm. The speed it offers can get a lot of work done when it comes to woodturning.

You can operate this machine type with no issues using your left hand that to its comfortable design.

It’s swivel head can go 360. Thus, letting you place your piece anywhere you wish to make comfortable turns.

It comes with an ergonomic design that integrates high-quality steel and a cast-iron stand that offers you with a stable platform for simple woodworking tasks.

This tool allows you to fit wood enthusiasts with large workshops and desires to work with a larger wood lathe. With its 360 degrees’ swivel head, this is one of the best wood lathe for turning large bowls.

This top wood lathe bed can be extended to provide you with room to handle even long projects without stress. Its bowl turning capacity lets you stand at 16-inch when onboard and 29-inch outboard.

I would recommend you purchase this wood lathe since it comes with a complete warranty of 2-year plus the extra 3-year warranty on all parts asides the consumables, electronic, and motor.

Features.

It has a 1.5HP AC motor

It features a complete 360 swivel head

Its variable speed fall between 215-3600 rpm

This machine cast iron is solid

The tool comes together with a stand included

Pros

This tool is solidly built to stand the test of time

Assembly is simple and operation is easy too.

The machine can be bought at a reasonable price.

Disadvantages

Its manual speed adjustment makes operation of this machine a bit tough.

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• Laguna Tools Revo, Model MLAREVO 1836

No doubt, the Laguna REVO 1836 lathe is one of the best wood lathe for making bowls on the market. This wood tool design speaks of various features that basically meets all of your woodturning goals.

One feature that is bound to steal your heart away is the ergonomically angled control panel created using anodized aluminum.

When you purchase this wood machine, you enjoy a strong 2HP motor that works on 220 volts. The top speed of the motor included is 1725. This speed is an electronic variable achieved via the VFD that converts a single-phase input to a 3-phase output.

In turn, it provides you with an excellent torque even at low settings. Plus, this machine has two range speed you can pick from: 135-3500 higher rpm as well as a 50-1300 low rpm.

The rubber boasts of a rubber grip that adds an extra comfort to operation. The bed of this machine has a construction that allows the cast iron headstock to travel with ease.

Aside that, this machine comes with a tailstock, and headstock lock that is carefully positioned strategically (on the back) to rid potential interruptions that may affect your projects. The ergonomically designed handles the use of a cam lock that guarantees you a firm feel with no deflection.

Features

This tool spring-loaded spindle lock with a maximum outboard swing of 32”.

It can run on a high of 135-3500 RPM and a low of 50-1300.

It has a 3 phase output poly-groove drive belt.

It operates on a 2HP motor running on a 220 volts power.

Pros

It features a powerful 2HP motor

This tool comes with an ergonomic design plus a superb finish

The machine boasts of a smooth and quiet operations

The lowest speed this machine can go for is 50 RPM.

The minimum speed of this machine is 50 RPM.

Cons

It’s a expensive

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• WEN 3420T 2-Amp 8 in. x 12 in. Variable Speed Benchtop Mini Wood Lathe

WEN 8-inch by 12-inch Variable Speed Wood Lathe is one of the best mini wood lathe for making bowls you can buy today. This tool has been nothing but wonderful as it allows you to adjust the variable speed anywhere between 750-3200 rotations per minute.

This machine also comes with an MT1 spindle plus tailstock taper that lets you play an important role in the gripping of work pieces. Plus, it has dual tool rests ( (4-1/2 inch and 7 inches) that give support to the chisels and other tools while you work out your projects. Plus, this tool operates on a 2A motor that helps in woodturning projects.

Adjusting either the tailstock and the tool rest is made simple, thanks to the simple-to-use lever clamping system. When you purchase this machine, it comes with a headstock spur center, a tailstock cup center, flat wrench, cups, 5-inch faceplate for turning bowls, and other non-spindle projects.

You need not worry about this machine malfunctioning within the first two years of buying this wood lathe since it features two-year warranty, as well as a nationwide network of skilled service representatives. Above all, their customer service is simply wonderful.

Features

This tool has an adjustable variable speed from 750-3200 rotations

The tool comes with a 5-inch faceplate that lets you turn bowls, cups as well as other non-spindle projects.

It can do projects with up to 12 inches in length and 8 inches in width.

The machine comes with a 2A motor, a tailstock tapers plus an MT1 spindle. Besides, this tool is armed with dual interchangeable work rests.

Pros

It has Slow Start Tech

This tool features more than one Accessories

The wood lathe features a Simple Speed Dial.

Cons

The RPM range of this tool is short.

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• Shop Fox W1758 Wood Lathe – Best wood lathe for turning larger bowls

The Shop Fox w1758 is one midi lathe that boasts of an ability to handle large projects with ease. However, this product is expensive, yet has lesser features than Delta but would still take on majority of the work you throw at it.

It spots 732 warranty period and is built to take on a beating. It lacks reverse feature, though.

The motor this top wood lathe for making bowls come with is really powerful as it can attain speed of 2400 RPM. No doubt, this is quicker than the Delta.

This wood lathe provides you with the much needed versatility in smaller projects because of the larger plate size. You can pick to replace the plate though it might take some effort considering its non-standard post size.

Features

Its motor is 2 HP, 110V and is a single-phase

It comes with a speed range of 600 – 2400 RPM

This wood lathe tool has so much precision ground cast iron bed cast and cast iron legs, that ensures reduced vibration and stability.

Pros

This tool is powerful.

It is built to stand the test of time.

Cons

It lacks the reverse feature.

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• Grizzly Industrial G0800-24″ x 48″ Heavy-Duty Wood Lathe – Best wood lathe for making larger bowl

This wood lathe is one of the best large bowl wood lathe machine out there can handle heavy-duty projects. The whole structure of this tool is solid cast iron which makes it super durable.

I rate as the best rated wood lathe for heavy duty projects. The whole structure is made from solid cast iron, making it super durable.

This tool has endless functionalities for more than one woodworking projects, such as turning of large bowls or fine spindles. The point where the chisel meets the grain can be completely adjusted 14-1/4” tool rest that boasts of a heavy-duty locking handle and 1” post diameter.

You can place the headstock anywhere along the bed and you’d have the tailststock swinging aside one the hinged bed when it’s not in use.

This lets you benefit from the highest workpiece clearance available, The tool turns at speeds of 60-3500 RPM, and this is possible because of its 3HP three-sided motor that has a crystal-clear digital readout plus reverse/forward spindle function.

Its large 1-1/2″ tailstock quill diameter provides increased rigidity that minimizes vibration and extends to 4-1/2″ maximizing the workpiece contact in the process.

Features

It has reverse/forward switch

You can carefully position its headstock anywhere along the bed

It has a built-in tool holder

This wood lathe has adjustable feet

It is durable all thanks to its all cast iron construction

It comes with electronic variable-speed spindle control that has a digital RPM readout

Pros

It provides you with professional results

You can also use it for both large and small projects

It’s durable

Cons

It’s costly

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• PSI Woodworking KWL-1218VS

If you’re into commercial wood lathe then this s the tool for you. It remains for a fact, the most advanced, efficient, and simple to use wood lathe on the market.

The PSI woodworking KWL-12218VS is a wood lathe that is powered by a 1 hp high-performance induction motor plus an SBC microprocessor that is developed for automotive uses, and delivers lasting reliability and control.

Other features this high class wood lathe offers are: a digital readout that lets you work at speeds of your choosing, an headstock Thread of this tool stands at 1″ x 8tpi while the Headstock and Tailstock Taper is #2MT. Also, the distance between Centers is 18″ while the Swing over Bed measures 12″.

This tool is the real deal – built to deliver work the way you like it while being sturdy. It is no doubt the best professional wood lathe machine for the money.

Summary

It has dual belt positions: 500-1800 RPM and 1950-3800 RPM.

It features an headstock thread that stands at 1″ x 8tpi with a Headstock/Tailstock Taper #2MT.

The Tailstock and Spindle Bore of this machine measure 3/8″ while the Quill Travels up to 1-5/8″.

The tool is powered by 1hp Variable Speed high-performance induction motor(120V-60HZ) and an SBC microprocessor.

Pros

This tool is long-lasting

It is advanced and lets you handle majority of your woodworking tasks

This machine as a digital readout that allows you set your own speed

It deliver excellent precision.

Cons

The lighting on this tool is not well-positioned.

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We hope we have helped you one way or another in your search for the best wood lathe for making bowls (large, larger, and largest ones included). Kindly share if this has been helpful to you.