5 Best Metal Lathe of 2023 [Reviewed]
Does designing an extraordinary metal workpiece sound a little too much? Well, not if you get your hands on the best metal lathe out there. But, let us be honest, selecting the best metal lathe is easier said than done. A good quality metal lathe should be durable, affordable, and less noisy. As you must […]
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Does designing an extraordinary metal workpiece sound a little too much? Well, not if you get your hands on the best metal lathe out there.
But, let us be honest, selecting the best metal lathe is easier said than done. A good quality metal lathe should be durable, affordable, and less noisy. As you must know, the market is already saturated with many options, so choosing the best can be pretty challenging.
So, we decided to help you in the process of buying the best metal lathe by reviewing the top 5 options currently available on the market.
After rigorous research and testing, our experts have shared the results with us, and based on them, we have provided detailed reviews for each of our recommendations. Also, do not forget to read the whole article, as towards the end, we have added a buyer’s guide to help you even further.
So, let’s begin!
Best Metal Lathe
Here’s the list of the 5 best metal lathes of 2023, carefully selected and reviewed to assist you in finding the perfect one for your metalworking needs.
1. BestEquip 7″ x 14″ Metal Lathe – Best for Versatility
BestEquip is one of the leading suppliers of top-quality, innovative, and dependable power tools. And the 7” x 14” metal lathe from the brand is certainly no different. Sporting a high-grade iron construction, this unit takes durability, efficiency, and long-lasting performance to a whole new level.
- Sturdy Aluminium Construction: The mini metal lathe bed is...
- Infinitely Variable Speeds: Spindle speed from 0-2250 RPM....
Why Did We Like It?
To be honest, we were thoroughly impressed with what this product had to offer. We really liked its sturdy design, for starters, built using high-grade iron and featuring nylon gears; it makes the product wear-resistant and allows it to provide accurate rotations. Also, it comes with a splash guard for added protection.
Apart from this, it was a relief to find out that the speeds can be adjusted between 50 and 2,500 RPM to suit the project requirements. Plus, it comes with an emergency stop button, thereby ensuring maximum safety during operation.
Furthermore, you would be pleased to know that it features an adjustable compound rest, thus allowing you to control the depth of bevel cutting, face cutting, and internal cutting. Overall, the BestEquip metal lathe is suitable for a wide variety of applications such as cutting, drilling, threading, and processing. And that makes it one of the most versatile options on the list.
What Could’ve Been Better?
This metal lathe is undoubtedly one of the best options when it comes to versatility. However, you need to make some additional purchases in order to use this product. We noticed that it does not come with tool holders or cutters, so you would have to purchase them separately. Apart from this minor drawback, it works perfectly.
- Highly durable
- A versatile option
- Features an adjustable compound rest
- Variable speeds
- Doesn’t come with tool holders or cutters
2. Eastwood Benchtop Mini Metal Lathe – Best for DIYers
We are halfway through this list, and now it’s time to talk about the Eastwood benchtop mini metal lathe. If you didn’t already know, Eastwood has been in the business since 1978; it is one of the most sought-after brands by DIYers. Having said that, the mini metal lathe from this brand allows you to machine parts right from the comfort of your home.
- THE EASTWOOD MINI METAL LATHE can Easily and accurately turn...
- INCLUDE HSS CUTTING TOOLS: We even include HSS Cutting tools...
Why Did We Like It?
As a power tool from a brand that has been in the business for over 40 years, the Eastwood benchtop mini metal exceeds our expectations for most parts. It is powered by a 3/4 HP motor that does more than a decent job in cutting steel, allowing you to use it for your projects.
Furthermore, it is very compactly built, enabling it to be used at home without much trouble. It can accommodate a wide variety of workpiece configurations, thanks to its internal and external jaws. Plus, it comes with a handful of HSS cutting tools right out of the box, so you can get started as soon as possible.
Coming to its design, it sports a metal construction, thereby making it very durable and long-lasting. Overall, Eastwood’s benchtop mini metal lathe is one of the best-selling options currently available on the market.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Despite being one of the best-selling options, the Eastwood benchtop mini metal lathe comes with a drawback. While testing it, we found out that the reset button does not always work; in our opinion, it is not properly engineered. Apart from the problem with the reset button, it does a fairly decent job.
- Features a very powerful motor
- Sports a compact design
- Can be used on a wide variety of materials
- Very durable
- Badly engineered reset button
3. Techtongda 7″ x 12 ” Metal Lathe – Best for Precision
Techtongda is a very popular name in the machinery manufacturing industry, and the 7” x 12” thread metal lathe from this brand is no exception. In fact, it is used in almost all types of machining, such as boring, drilling, facing, and turning. Keep reading to know more about this unique product.
- [Professional Lathe]: Techtongda lathe is used for turning,...
- [600W Brushless Motor]: The newly upgraded 600W brushless...
Why Did We Like It?
Sporting a high-grade metal construction, this top-notch metal lathe by Techtongda is an option you simply cannot afford to miss out on. The main USP of this product is its spindle bore, which is big enough to machine workpieces of various shapes and sizes. You can use it for sample processing, extensive processing, and precision processing.
Apart from this, we were pleased to find out that the spindle comes supported with a tapered roller bearing to ensure maximum precision while operating. Also, the speed can be adjusted between 50 and 2,500 RPM, allowing you to meet your requirements at will.
Do not get fooled by its size; its powerful metal lathe can compete with some of the best options on the list. Furthermore, all its gears are made of sturdy metal, making machining stainless steel and carbon steel a very easy job.
What Could’ve Been Better?
The Techtongda 7″ x 12″ metal lathe is not a perfect choice for those who are on a humble budget. It is slightly on the expensive side, which may compel you to think twice before investing. That being said, once you invest in it, you won’t be regretting it!
- Comes with a fairly large spindle bore
- Compatible with a wide variety of metals
- Compact design
- Extremely durable
- Slightly expensive
4. Mophorn 7” x 12” Benchtop Mini Metal Lathe
Now that we are nearing the end of the list, here’s another product that you should consider. Allow us to introduce you to the 7” x 12” benchtop mini metal lathe by Mophorn, a brand that produces a wide range of high-quality power tools with exceptional customer service.
- Sturdy Metal Construction: The mini metal lathe bed is made...
- Infinitely Variable Speeds: Variable speed from 50-2500 RPM....
Why Did We Like It?
To begin with, we really liked its aluminum construction; the bed is made using high-grade iron and the gears, with nylon. This makes the metal lathe durable and wear-resistant. It is powered by a motor of 550W that helps in providing accurate rotations.
Furthermore, the speed can be adjusted between 50 RPM and 2,500 RPM, enabling you to set it as per your requirements. Not only that, but it also comes with an emergency stop button, thereby ensuring maximum safety during operation. Also, you would be happy to know that the spindle features tapered roller bearings, taking its accuracy to the next level.
The adjustable compound rest helps in bevel cutting, face cutting, and internal cutting with ease. And lastly, it’s worth mentioning that this lathe by Mophorn supports a wide variety of applications such as sample processing and precision processing, to name a few.
What Could’ve Been Better?
Even though the Mophorn 7” x 12” benchtop mini metal lathe does a decent job in most aspects, the motor could have been more powerful. Without a doubt, it will handle DIY projects with ease, but we are not sure if it will be as effective when handling heavy-duty, large-scale professional projects.
- Highly durable
- An extremely versatile option
- Delivers precise results
- Very safe to operate
- The motor could have been powerful
5. VEVOR Metal Lathe
To be fair, this list would have remained half-complete without the inclusion of this exceptional metal lathe by Vevor. This brand is among the leading manufacturers of industrial products and has been in the business for over 10 years. On that note, this product may be the last entry on this list, but it can deliver similar results to other options.
- 【CAUTION】- The center frame will be sent by another...
- 【INFINITELY VARIABLE SPEED】- The mini metal lathe is...
Why Did We Like It?
We were quite impressed with all the different features of this metal lathe by Vevor. However, what piqued our interest right from the start was its LED screen feature; it helps track the speed, thereby ensuring accuracy. The metal construction offers decent durability.
Furthermore, you will be able to machine large workpieces with this product, thanks to the 3-jaw chuck for making it possible. The MT2 tailstock is worth mentioning as well since it makes operations a lot easier. Also, the adjustable compound rest helps achieve various positions needed for bevel cutting, and internal, and face cutting.
Apart from this, the spindle speed is adjustable between 50 RPM and 2,250 RPM, making it super user-friendly. Overall, this metal lathe by Vevor is one of the top-rated products currently available on the market. You can certainly keep it in consideration.
What Could’ve Been Better?
In our opinion, we felt that the VEVOR Metal Lathe does an outstanding job. However, we found out that the center rests were missing. We wish the manufacturer had been careful about the shipping process. Apart from this, it does a fabulous job as a top-notch metal lathe.
- Very user-friendly
- Delivers precise finishes
- Highly durable
- Comes with an adjustable compound rest
- Incomplete shipping
Best Metal Lathe Comparison Table
| Product | Material | Weight | Speed | Voltage | Centers Distance | Adjustable Speed | Versatile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BestEquip 7″ x 14″ Metal Lathe | Iron | 101.9 pounds | 2,250 RPM | 110V | 13.78″ | Yes | Yes |
| Eastwood Benchtop Mini Metal Lathe | Metal | 90 pounds | 2,500 RPM | 120V | 12″ | No | Yes |
| Techtongda 7″ x 12 ” Metal Lathe | Metal | 150 pounds | 2,500 RPM | 110V | 11.8″ | Yes | Yes |
| Mophorn 7” x 12” Benchtop Mini Metal Lathe | Aluminum | 100 pounds | 2,250 RPM | 110V | 11.81″ | Yes | Yes |
| VEVOR Metal Lathe | Metal | 103 pounds | 2,250 RPM | 110V | 13.78″ | Yes | Yes |
Buying Guide For The Best Metal Lathe
Just knowing the brand names and a few pros and cons are not enough. There are a few other factors that you need to consider before buying the best metal lathe.
In this section, we have explained a few of these factors that will help you make an informed purchase based on your needs. We strongly recommend reading this part very carefully.
Size
Size is one of the most important factors you need to consider while buying a metal lathe. Heavy-duty industrial ones are larger compared to the ones meant for light-duty DIY projects.
That being said, lathes have considerable weight, which means they cannot be easily moved around. So, it comes down to your project requirements and also the space available in your workshop.
If you cannot afford to dedicate a very big space, go with a metal lathe that is compactly designed.
Motor Power
The efficiency of a metal lathe is directly proportional to its motor power. In general, the motor power of lathes ranges between 1 HP and 3 HP. So, the higher the motor power, the better and more accurate finishes it will deliver.
Spindle Speed
While buying a metal lathe, consider keeping a check on the spindle speed. A top-quality metal lathe should have adjustable speed controls. Usually, light-duty lathes have adjustable spindle speeds between 30 RPM and 1,200 RPM, while heavy-duty ones offer speeds above 2,000 RPM.
On that note, you need to be too worried about the spindle speed as it only comes into play while working on projects that require splendid polishing.
Warranty
Buying a top-quality lathe requires significant investment, so to ensure that you don’t have to replace it anytime soon, go with a model that offers a warranty. Most metal lathe models do not come with a warranty. However, we strongly recommend settling for a product that offers at least a year of warranty.
The motor power of a metal lathe directly affects its efficiency. Higher motor power, typically ranging from 1 HP to 3 HP, allows for better and more accurate finishes. Choose a lathe with adequate motor power based on the complexity and scale of your projects.
The size of a metal lathe is important because it determines the type of projects it can handle and the space required in your workshop. Heavy-duty industrial lathes are larger and meant for professional use, while compact lathes are suitable for light-duty DIY projects or smaller workshops.
Spindle speed is an important consideration when purchasing a metal lathe. Look for a lathe that offers adjustable speed controls, allowing you to customize the spindle speed to suit your specific project requirements. Light-duty lathes typically have adjustable spindle speeds ranging from 30 RPM to 1,200 RPM, while heavy-duty lathes can offer speeds above 2,000 RPM.
Metal Lathe FAQs
Conclusion
All metalworkers strive to achieve the best finishes on their workpieces. Using a top-quality metal lathe makes the process a lot easier and fun. So, if you want to carve your metalwork to perfection, then a top-quality metal lathe is a must-have.
With this, we have reached the end of our review-based guide. We hope this guide helps you choose the right metal lathe as per your requirements. Before signing off, we would like to mention our favorite picks.
BestEquip 7″ x 14″ Metal Lathe is an ideal option with its durable construction, adjustable speeds, and versatile capabilities. Eastwood Benchtop Mini Metal Lathe is a good choice for its powerful motor, compact design, and included cutting tools. Techtongda 7″ x 12″ Metal Lathe stands out with its large spindle bore, precise operation, and durable metal gears.
On that note, it’s time to bid farewell. See you soon!
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