How to Select Your Wood Lathe?

Woodworking technology is key point for a woodworker, Technology like lathes for any workshop is important but selecting the best lathe not an easy task, especially for newbies. To select the perfect wood lathe for your projects the best idea is going through the best wood lathe reviews. There you can get all the details from users instead of the manufacturers or sellers. Here, are some of the very basic points for you. It will help you for selecting the right one.

Motor

For a wood lathe, the most common tools come with 1/2 and 1 HP motors. But you can choose from 1/8-HP to 3-HP motors with variable speed controls. Usually, the lathe motor speed ranges between 500 and 4000 RPM.

Swing Bed

To determine how large bowl you can turn in diameter you have to know the swing bed of the wood lathe. If you want to bend a bowl of 14-inch diameter, you should select a wood lathe with 14 inches swing bed. 

Capacity

A lot of wood lathe reviews say that you can turn longer pieces using a wood lathe with a capacity of 36 inches. But, for that, you just need to do it section-wise and join them later.

Height-Weight

Make sure that the middle of your lathe is perfectly fir at your elbow height. When it comes to weight, you might want a lightweight tool to move it easily. But in this case, the heavier the lathe, the better it is.

Base

The best wood lathe should have the best foundation. NO matter what type and size you pick for your lathe, make sure it's base are strongest, heaviest, and most rugged. Otherwise, it won't be able to prevent the lathe from vibrating while using it.

Head Stock &Tail Stock

Headstock and tailstock are the two rotating pins that keep the spindle rotating evenly in the center. For the best wood lathe, make sure there is enough space between the base and the head to rotate freely.

Check if the tailstock locks perfectly at any position along the bed to allow you more versatility while turning.

Tool Rest

Regardless of the size, you should check if the tool rest is flexibly adjustable. And, it’s a must for the best wood lathe to have such a tool rest that locks strongly and firmly to any required position. 

To Sum Up,

All the points that I describe must have to follow for a better output for your industry, workshop although it became so hard because of the so many branding companies in the market. I always go for the expert suggestion and follow their lathe buying guideline. So, At first, follow an expert buying guideline by following his articles written by his blog. In this way, you can take best decision when going to buy the woodworking tools like lathes.