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Best Mini Metal Lathe
Editorial credit: kasarp studio
There are endless possibilities for what you can make with a mini metal lathe. One minute you can be shaping metal into jewelry, then the next, you’re making a metal box to keep that jewelry safe.
Don’t want to read the full article, here are the top 3 mini metal lathes:
Standard features include a cutting tool that cuts or removes the metal and an apron. This is part of the carriage assembly and mounts the carriage handwheel. Another great aspect of mini metal lathes is that, unlike their industrial counterparts, they’re much lighter in weight and considerably cheaper.
So, whether you love working with metal as a hobby or have your own business, they’re worth the investment. However, it’s important to do some thorough research before buying. Finding the perfect item online can be time-consuming at best and incredibly stressful at worst. Luckily, we’re here to help you out.
While picking out our top choices, we looked at things like:
- Motor speed
- Spindle speed
- Swing over bed
- Chuck diameter
We asked our community of metallurgists to help recommend the brands they are using. For any products that stood out, we then integrated with the latest customer sentiment data as of June 2023 to stand behind what we think are the best mini metal lathes right now:
1. BestEquip Metal Lathe 7″ x 14″ – Best Overall
This sturdy machine lathe made from high-grade iron features a seven-inch swing over bed, with just under 14 inches between the centers, and has a 21mm spindle bore. It has an infinitely variable speed from 0 to 2500 RPM and is complemented by the use of nylon gears.
The precision-made mini benchtop lathe has a self-centering three-jaw chuck, an MT3 spindle taper, an MT2 tailstock taper, and a tool rest. Its 3/4 HP motor has been designed to produce various forms of metal turning, yet it is simple to operate. This lathe’s applications include: Counter face turning, drilling, threading, and cutting round bar materials.
It features a thread range of 12-52 TPI, threading indicator dial, and has standard & metric handwheel graduations. You can operate this lathe either manually or use the auto-feed rate which is adjustable, and it has forward and reverse throughout the variable speed range.
There is a T-slotted compound slide plus a four-way tool post. Beveled cutting may be achieved with the adjustable compound rest.
Features:
- Motor: 3/4 HP
- Spindle speed: 0-2500 RPM
- Chuck Diameter: 100mm (3.94”)
- Centers distance: 350mm (13.78”)
- Swing over bed: 180mm (7.09”)
What we love:
- This lathe is capable of precision depth cuts and can hold tolerances of .0007 inches by using the cross feed
- This lathe is quick and easy to assemble, and once all the nuts & bolts are initially tightened, works great
- The functionality of this lathe is fantastic. Being able to turn a .75” piece down to .494” is a definite plus
We don’t like this as much:
- We’d like to see the addition of an RPM indicator, for even greater precision across multiple projects.
- Sturdy Aluminium Construction: The mini metal lathe bed is made of high grade iron. Equipped with nylon gears, this lathe machine is wear-resistant, sturdy, more accurate rotation and professional. Mini metal lathe power of motor: 550W. The full-length splash guard provides max. protection.
- Infinitely Variable Speeds: Spindle speed from 0-2250 RPM. Forward and reverse in all speeds. Operate either manually or with the adjustable auto feed rate. The hardness and accuracy of the v-slide ways are obtained by raw material, heat hardening and grinding. Emergency stop button included.
- Accurate 3-Jaw Chuck: Mini metal lathe chuck, 3-jaw self-centering chuck, for setting cylindrical materials steadily. Back splash guard included. Spindle is supported by precision tapered roller bearings, spindle accuracy within 0.0004" / 0.01 mm.
- Professional Compound Rest: The mini metal lathe quick change tool post can achieve positions of internal cutting, face cutting and bevel cutting by changing the tool post angle and adjusting the compound rest. Professional cross slide is designed with abrasive resistance, moving blades freely with feed rod.
- Wide Application: Driven by DC motor, this mini metal lathe cut off tool can be used in areas such as mini precision parts processing, sample processing and modeling works.
2. Eastwood Benchtop Mini Metal Variable Speed Lathe
With this 7 x 12 inch Mini Metal Lathe from Eastwood, machining parts can now be done in the comfort of your own home. This compact, home workshop lathe is equipped with features normally found only on larger models. You can turn steel, brass, aluminum, and other materials with accuracy and ease.
The lathe’s auto-feed and selectable gear train allow you to perform complex threading functions with exceptional precision. The three-jaw chuck, which has inside and outside capabilities, will accommodate wide-ranging workpiece configurations, allowing you to accomplish most cutting and turning jobs. This machine has a 3/4HP motor and can take a 0.010” cut in steel. The 2.125” swing over the cross slide and with 12” between the centers, means materials up to a diameter of four inches and eleven inches long can be worked comfortably and easily.
The variable spindle speeds have two settings, low and high. The speed can be set at the low setting from 0 to 1100 RPM. The high setting can be varied from 0 to 2500 RPM. These two-speed settings allow fast, rough cutting, or fine delicate turning or threading operations.
With a footprint of only 27.75 x 8.75 inches, it will fit on most home workbenches, turning your garage into the perfect machine shop.
Features:
- Motor: 3/4 HP
- Spindle speed: 0-2500 RPM
- Chuck Diameter: 2.48”
- Centers distance: 12”
- Swing over bed: 7”
What we love:
- Eastwood has even included HSS cutting tools so once the lathe is set up, you can use it straight away
- The selectable gears and auto-feed allows you to get a variety of complex threading work done with precision and accuracy
- Everything you need is provided with the lathe, so you save money by not having to purchase any extras to start using it
We don’t like this as much:
- The intricacy of this machine does mean some fine cleaning and greasing is required, however this is to be expected of a more complex lathe
- THE EASTWOOD MINI METAL LATHE can Easily and accurately turn Steel, Aluminum, Nylon, Delrin, Brass, and Oil Impregnated Bronze.This milling machine has a 3/4 HP motor with INFINITELY VARIABLE SPEEDS 0-2500 RPM and is capable of taking a .010" cut in steel, allowing you to make real parts for your car project.
- INCLUDE HSS CUTTING TOOLS: We even include HSS Cutting tools so you are ready to go out of the box; Equipped with all the features found on large lathes: Auto-feed and selectable gear train, included inside and outside 3-Jaw Chuck set will accommodate a wide range of workpiece configurations; With a 2.125" swing over the cross slide and 12" between centers, you can work materials up to 4" in diameter by 11" in length easily and comfortably.
- EASTWOOD QUALITY: Eastwood offers solutions which combines our 4,000+ unique products with the know-how to “Do The Job Right”. With an In-house product design, development and testing and a strong track record of high-quality, innovative products. Used and trusted by top builders to beginners and also provides a Lifetime Tech Support.
- SAFETY INFORMATION: Always wear eye and hand protection when working with metal. Keep all body parts away from moving parts of this machine. Please read and fully understand the instruction manual before use. Wear proper work glove and protective clothing and eyewear.
- WARRANTY: 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Since 1978. We stand behind our solutions and customers. Comes with a 1-year limited warranty and 90-day return.
3. Erie Tools 7 x 14 Precision Bench Top Mini Lathe
If you’re into light machining, metal turning, or you’re a hobbyist who makes your own parts, then the 7 x 14 precision bench-top mini lathe is the product for you.
This lathe is compact enough to fit on your home workbench. With a seven-inch swing over plus 14 inches between centers it will handle almost any metal turning project you can think of. With a simple flick of a switch, the rotation direction can be changed from forward to reverse. This means that you can not only do right-hand threads, but left-hand as well, and you can modify the number of threads per inch from 12 to 52 TPI.
It has a 0.53NP single phase, 60Hz 120V motor powerful enough for the size of jobs it’s designed to handle. The variable speed on this machine can be set as low as 50 RPM or as high as 2500 RPM, and with a digital readout, you can keep track of the speed with just a glance.
If you are in the market for a precision lathe, then this model is well worth looking at. It comes complete with: a five-piece carbide-tipped cutting kit, chuck key, 11 feed rate gears, and internal and external chuck jaws.
Features:
- Motor: 3/4 HP
- Spindle speed: 50-2500 RPM
- Chuck Diameter: 4”
- Centers distance: 14”
- Swing over bed: 7”
What we love:
- There is a safety cut-off switch on the chuck cover. The cover must be closed before the lathe will start.
- Assembly is child’s-play if you follow the photographs in the instruction manual
- Having all the necessary “bits and pieces” as part of the complete package means you can use it “straight out of the box”
We don’t like this as much:
- The gears are made of plastic and the teeth tend not to be as robust as metal ones
- Includes the lathe, chuck key, five-piece carbide tipped cutter kit, internal chuck jaws and external chuck jaws, 11 feed rate gears and owners manual
- Drill, cut and turn metal, wood and plastic parts with precision.
- Erie Tools variable speed 7 in. x 14 in. benchtop mini metal lathe creates precision parts.
- Variable speed motor adjusts to 2500 RPM in either rotational direction allows left-handed threads.
- Thread indicator helps users turn screw threads anywhere from 12 to 52 TPI. Metric or imperial.
4. BestEquip 8×16 Inch Mini Metal Lathe
When it comes to quality and value for money, the BestEquip Mini Bench Metal Lathe ranks high in the world of metal turning. It is precision made, versatile, and overall a real performer. Although it is a mini lathe, it has a longer center-to-center distance and a larger swing over capacity than many of its competitors.
The 1HP motor is brushless, which generates less friction and heat, making it energy efficient and produces larger torque when compared to similarly sized motors. Since there is no carbon brush to replace, you could say it’s “maintenance free”. To get the best results it is imperative you set the correct speed. With this lathe, you choose the exact speed using the variable speed control—anywhere between 0 and 2250 RPM.
One feature of why this lathe stands out is the LED screen that shows you exactly what setting you have set. You can either operate the lathe manually or use the adjustable auto-feed. Spindle accuracy is within 0.0004” to 0.0012”. There is also a soft start, change over switch to allow clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation.
Features:
- Motor: 1 HP
- Spindle speed: 0-2250 RPM
- Chuck Diameter: 4.9”
- Centers distance: 15.75”
- Swing over bed: 8.25”
What we love:
- This mini lathe has metal gears and not plastic ones like so many other mini lathes
- The precision of this lathe is such that you can get accurate down to a thousandth of an inch in hard metals
- Easy to use and very powerful thanks to its impressive motor
We don’t like this as much:
- Initial setup requires a little extra time, as some fine-tuning adjustments are needed for it to work with precision
- Infinitely Variable Speed: The mini metal lathe with metal gears is driven by powerful motor. Variable Speed: 0-2250RPM. The LED screen shows you a clear and accurate speed for accurate working. Operate either manually or with the adjustable auto feed rate. Spindle Accuracy: 0.0004-0.0012" (0.01-0.03 mm).
- 400mm Large Swing Range: The benchtop lathe is equipped with a 3-jaw chuck. Swing Over Bed: 8-1/4" (210 mm) and Swing Over Cross Slide: 15-3/4" (400mm) offers more possibilities for large size or/and heavy workpieces.
- Professional Compound Rest: The mini lathe machine quick change tool post can achieve positions of internal cutting, face cutting, and bevel cutting by changing the tool post angle and adjusting the compound rest, moving blades freely with feed rod. 4-Way turret tool post (3/8" max tool size).
- Supportive & Protective: Soft start, change-over switch for clockwise or counter-clockwise spindle rotation. Equipped with all-metal gears. Steady rest works as end support ensuring chatter-free operation. Backsplash guard included.
- Adjustable Tailstock: Taper in Tailstock Spindle: MT2. 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. Travel: compound rest 2-1/8" (54mm), cross slide 3" (76mm).
5. Mini Lathe, Jectse
This mini lathe from Jectse boasts a powerful 60W motor generating an impressive 12,000 RPM. One of the best things about this lathe is that it is simple to use, rendering it perfect for beginners and those who have never used a lathe before. Precise instructions in the manual guide you through the operation of the machine.
Designed for light-duty tasks, this lathe can tackle soft, non-ferrous, or precious metals such as aluminum, silver, and gold. It runs at up to 12,000 RPM when turning wooden projects, but the speed drops to around 2,000 RPM when working on metal.
All the main parts of the lathe such as the tailstock, size slider, spindle box, etc. are made from quality metals with a belt protection cover, making the tool very durable. This lathe has a small footprint of 13.75 x 10.25 x 8.6 inches and weighs only 11 pounds, making it a perfect workbench machining tool, but it is easily portable should you need to move it to another location. The 60W motor is powered by a 12V DC adapter, included with the lathe, along with an accessory package.
Features:
- Motor: 60W
- Spindle speed: 12000 RPM
- Chuck Diameter: 4.9”
- Centers distance: 5.3”
- Swing over bed: 8.25”
What we love:
- It’s compact enough to fit on the smallest of workbenches and has a lot of power for small projects
- For any beginner, this lathe is well worth looking at, as it does not overwhelm with too many features
- Using the central block, the diameter of the workspace can be increased by 50mm, expanding on the possibilities of this lathe.
We don’t like this as much:
- This lathe is best for beginners and, as such, is not intended for intermediate or professionals who require more complex features
FAQs about Mini Metal Lathes.
What is a mini metal lathe?
A mini metal lathe can be defined as any bench-top lathe with a distance of 20 inches or less between centers and 12 inches or less of swing. (Swing is the largest diameter of a workpiece you can turn on a mini lathe). Usually, a mini lathe has a 1/2 to 3/4 HP motor; although some have 1HP motors, these tend to be more expensive. Compared to industrial lathes, which can weigh more than two thousand pounds and cost thousands of dollars upwards, a mini metal lathe can weigh 10 or 12 pounds and cost considerably less.
What are the benefits of Investing in a Mini Metal Lathe?
A mini metal lathe is, by definition, a miniature version of a full-size industrial lathe, and is used by model makers, craft workers, jewelry makers, or anyone who requires small accurate parts.
Have you ever been in a situation where you are in the middle of a project for your favorite hobby, and the part you need to complete isn’t available? What do you do? Do you pay a visit to the nearest machine shop and ask if they can turn the small piece for you? How much would that cost, and how long before they could do it? If you invested in your own mini metal lathe, you could have the part you need to be produced in no time. The main benefits of owning a mini lathe are that you can control the accuracy and timing of the piece you need. No more relying on someone else, hoping they get the specifications correct.
Having the versatility of a mini metal lathe at your fingertips means the potential to take your hobby and make it into a small business. After all, if you require precision parts, then other hobbyists probably have the same need.
What can you do with a mini metal lathe?
Two things only limit your projects on a mini metal lathe. Your imagination and the size of your mini lathe. For example, you can make:
Rings.
Making a ring is a great project to begin with. (You can even use a nut and transform it into a beautiful ring). You can start by cutting a disc out of a bar of material. Then using the jaws on your lathe, bore out the inside to the size you require. Next shave the outside to a finish, adding maybe a bevel on both edges. Polish it and you’re done.
Candlesticks.
Using the same basic techniques for turning, shaving, and boring out the core, you can make a set of candlesticks in various materials, brass, aluminum, copper, etc. All you need is a rod of the raw material at the diameter you need and you are on your way.
Baby Cups.
Making a “Baby Cup” is an interesting project. Instead of boring out material, you start with a disc and shape it using the lathe and shaping tools until you have the desired size and “bell shape” to make the cup. The handle is then soldered to the cup, and the whole thing polished.
Which Mini Metal Lathe is Best For Me to Buy?
To answer that question, first of all, you must ask yourself, “What am I going to use it for?”
Mini metal lathes are designed to be able to cut different materials, like metal, wood, glass, and plastic. The types of metals normally cut are steel, brass, and aluminum, which can be drilled, cut, or turned with very little effort.
You should consider Three fundamental features before buying a metal mini lathe: design, functionality, and motor. The design should be straightforward so that the tool is easily used. If the design is straightforward, then you will be comfortable using it. If the design is complicated, you may struggle for a long time before getting any practical use out of it.
The last feature, and the most important one, is the motor’s speed. A motor’s speed is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), indicating how fast the spindle is rotating. A motor that has a variable speed setting will perform the best.
So, to answer the question. Choose a mini metal lathe that has a variable speed motor, one that has a simple design, has the functionality to suit your tasks, is well-made, and last but not least, fits your budget.
Budget: Mini Lathe, Jectse
Mid-Range: BestEquip 7″ x 14″ Metal Lathe
High End: BestEquip 8×16 Inch Mini Metal Lathe
You will also like: Best Metal Lathe Under $1000
Buying Guide: Mini Metal Lathe
Mini metal lathes provide a versatile and accurate solution to shaping and cutting the metal into desired shapes and sizes. They are ideal for various tasks, from small-scale fabrication to intricate work. They are also perfect for DIY projects, allowing you to make precise parts without expensive and complex machinery.
For artists looking to get a mini metal lathe, shopping for one may not always be easy. To help you out, this guide will walk you through some of the key factors you should consider when selecting a mini metal lathe and our top choices.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mini Metal Lathe
- Motor Power:
Generally, a higher-powered motor will allow you to take on larger projects faster, with minimal limitations. A lower-powered one may be challenging to work with in some projects.
2. Speed Range:
The speed range of your mini metal lathe is another important factor to consider before making that purchase. Different materials demand different speeds, and you want to make sure your lathe has the necessary range to at least have the capability to work at variable speeds.
3. Bed Length and Width:
Your lathe’s bed length and width affect your machine’s overall capacity. Generally speaking, width highly influences the size of projects you can undertake comfortably.
4. Budget:
Ultimately, your budget is important in choosing a mini metal lathe. You want to find a quality machine that won’t break the bank. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent options available in all price ranges.
Top Mini Metal Lathes on the Market
The mini metal lathes market is awash with various products from different brands. Each with its own pros and cons. The search may seem challenging, so to help you narrow your search, here are some of the top mini metal lathes currently available.
The Grizzly Industrial G8688 Mini Metal Lathe is an excellent option for those looking for an entry-level mini lathe. It has a variable speed spindle to set speeds up to 2500 RPM. This highly rated lathe has a bed width of 3 1/4″ and can handle up to 7″ swing diameter. Its powerful 1/3 HP motor gives you plenty of power for even the most intricate projects.
The BestEquip Metal Lathe 8×16″ Precision Mini Metal Lathe is another great option. This sturdy machine can lathe wood and metal comfortably and handles up to 8.3″ of swing diameter. It features stepless speeds, ranging from 0 to 2250 RPM, and runs on a maintenance-free brushless motor. Overall, it’s highly hailed for its precision.
Other great mini metal lathes include the Mophorn Precision Mini Metal Lathe and the Shop Fox M1015, one of the smallest.
Overall, mini metal lathes are handy tools for precision metalworking projects. So whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, having a mini metal lathe in your workshop can open up a new world of endless possibilities. And the good news is that no matter what type of mini metal lathe you’re after, there sure is an option that’ll fit your needs.
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