A metal bench lathe is used to rotate the piece on which you need to work in order to perform continuous work on the entire surface. The operating mechanism of a machine is straightforward and is based on the rotation of the shaft, driven by a belt, which in turn is activated by a motor.
However, if on the one hand, the operation is the same for all types of lathes, on the other hand, there are, on the other hand, many differences between the various types of metal lathe and not all of them are adequate for the work and the purpose to be pursued.
Here we had listed out the best benchtop metal lathes for you that are present below.
- Precise Engineering: Ideal for professionals, this power metal lathe's high-precision 4-inch 3-jaw chuck handles both square and...
- Large Working Capacity: This metal working lathe cranks out 550W and handles small to medium projects. It provides a 7.09"/180mm...
- Upgrade Design: This small metal lathe uses metal gear instead of a nylon one. Aluminum handwheel can increase service life....
- Complete Control: The lathe's rotational speed can be set from 50 to 2500rpm and monitored by the digital display; the...
- Professional Construction: 4-way quick change tool post can install 4 standard turning tools at the same time. You can adjust tool...
- Turn aluminum, steel, brass, and more up to 16 inches in length or 7 inches in diameter
- Two full variable speed ranges allow for operation anywhere from 100 to 2500 RPM in either direction
- Threading dial indicator helps turn 18 different screw thread sizes ranging from 12 to 52 TPI
- Operate either manually or with the adjustable auto feed
- Features a 3-jaw chuck, 5/16-inch capacity tool post, an MT3 spindle taper, an MT2 tailstock taper, a 5/16-inch tool rest, a 4-amp...
- Sturdy Iron Construction: The mini metal lathe bed is made of high grade iron. Equipped with nylon gears, this lathe machine is...
- Infinitely Variable Speeds: Power metal lathes has large center distance 350mm(13.78") and swing over bed:180mm (7.09"),spindle...
- Accurate 3-Jaw Chuck: Mini metal lathe chuck, 3-jaw self-centering chuck, for setting cylindrical materials steadily. Backsplash...
- Professional Compound Rest: The mini metal lathe quick change tool post can achieve positions of internal cutting, face cutting...
- Wide Application: Driven by DC motor, this mini metal lathe cut off tool can be used in areas such as mini precision parts...
- Mini Yet Powerful: Measuring only 40x14 in., this mini metal lathe by Creworks packs a punch with its 1100W brushless motor,...
- Complete Control: The mini metalworking machine's rotational speed can be set from 0 to 3000 rpm and monitored through the...
- Precise Engineering: Ideal for professionals, this benchtop mini metal lathe's high-precision 5-inch 3-jaw chuck handles both...
- Ultra Sturdy & Safe: The robust cast iron construction ensures a long service life and superior corrosion resistance. The...
- Wide Application: Tailored for precision tasks, this mini woodworking lathe effortlessly handles turning, drilling, threading, and...
- THE EASTWOOD MINI METAL LATHE can Easily and accurately turn Steel, Aluminum, Nylon, Delrin, Brass, and Oil Impregnated...
- 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...
- EASTWOOD QUALITY: Eastwood offers solutions which combines our 4,000+ unique products with the know-how to “Do The Job Right”....
- SAFETY INFORMATION: Always wear eye and hand protection when working with metal. Keep all body parts away from moving parts of...
- WARRANTY: 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Since 1978. We stand behind our solutions and customers. Comes with a 1-year limited...
- PRECISE ENGINEERING: Ideal for home DIYers and professionals alike, this mini metal lathe's high-precision 5 inch (12.5 cm) 3-jaw...
- MINI YET MIGHTY: Only around 31.5x11.5 inches, this mini metal lathe still cranks out 750W (1 HP) and is great for handling small...
- COMPLETE CONTROL: The lathe's rotational speed can be set from 50 to 2250 rpm and monitored through the digital display; the...
- ULTRA-STURDY & SAFE: The all metal construction assures you of a long service life; the transparent chuck guard protects you from...
- 1 YEAR WARRANTY: This mini lathe by Creworks is ideal for many processing tasks needing extreme precision, including turning,...
- Sturdy Aluminium Construction: The mini metal lathe bed is made of high grade iron. Equipped with nylon gears, this lathe machine...
- Infinitely Variable Speeds: Spindle speed from 0-2250 RPM. Forward and reverse in all speeds. Operate either manually or with the...
- Accurate 3-Jaw Chuck: Mini metal lathe chuck, 3-jaw self-centering chuck, for setting cylindrical materials steadily. Back splash...
- Professional Compound Rest: The mini metal lathe quick change tool post can achieve positions of internal cutting, face cutting...
- Wide Application: Driven by DC motor, this mini metal lathe cut off tool can be used in areas such as mini precision parts...
Buyer Guide to Choose Benchtop Metal Lathes
What Is the Lathe and What Is It For?
Before understanding where to place your purchase, it is right to make a clarification concerning its function. A lathe is a tool that is used to polish, fillet, consume, finish, and rough a surface quickly and accurately. Depending on the tip, you can obtain different processes and operate on different materials.
How is such an object made, and what are the commands to be operated? Here is a clear definition that I took on the Wikipedia page with a series of useful points to understand what its structure is:
- Speed change
- Horizontal movement.
- Transverse sliding.
- Self-centering chuck.
- Tool holder element.
- Tool holder turret control.
- An element for the tailstock.
The bench version of the lathe allows you to work with high precision on wood, plastic, and metal. There are specific models for certain uses and solutions suitable for both home use can be purchased.
Without forgetting the semi-professional models. Of course, there are also industrial lathes or suitable for the workshops of artisans who need this tool for continuous work.
Do You Want Lathe for Metal or Wood?
We often hear about this possibility: use a lathe designed for iron or steel in different situations. For example, in woodworking. That’s a good idea? Not really, on the contrary: there are problems.
The risk of ruining the object is high, and the same applies to damage to things and people. The basic rule is this: always use the right tools for a particular purpose. Bench lathes are used for wood and those for metal, including specific models for steel that have particular characteristics.
How to Choose the Best Lathe?
The operation of this tool is quite simple. There is a motor that runs a shaft to which the vice is connected, which holds the object to be machined.
Then there is a point or the cutter that allows you to engrave and consume the block as needed, regularly and without abrupt movements, working on the removal of the chip. What are the parameters to be respected? How to choose the best benchtop lathe for your business?
Motor Type for Your Lathe
This is the first decision that must be made: the strength of the mechanism that allows you to obtain the rotary movement (continuous, regular, and weighted) will enable you to work or not on certain materials.
It can be quite logical the consideration that a powerful motor helps with complicated processes. Consequently, a benchtop lathe on 500 watts is a good starting point for having a valid product.
While considering that you can go over 2,000 watts for an active bench lathe, furthermore, one should not forget the type of engine to evaluate the reliability and continuity of the work.
A single-phase asynchronous engine is certainly less suitable for intense work, and it is inexpensive and ideal for home use. At the same time, a three-phase motor is ideal for professional use because we are talking about a more reliable and lasting solution.
Dimensions of The Bench Lathe
This choice is not just about the space required to find the area on your work surface. The dimensions of a bench lathe also concern its ability to work on certain surfaces and with specific objects.
This means that a machine offers a certain distance between the points and allows you to work with more or less abundant elements. Who works mainly with small objects can choose different lathes.
How to Choose the Best Bench Lathe?
They are tools ranging from 200 mm for metals and about 300 for wood, up to typical dimensions of industrial machines that exceed 1,000 mm. Also, the diameter, the height of the tip from the base, must be evaluated considering the size of the objects to be subjected to the various turning operations.
Weight and Robustness of This Tool
A quality lathe is designed to last. It must have a good weight, a steel structure, or equivalent material in terms of resistance and an ability to hook onto the counter with the maximum possible safety. It avoids any unstable solution, which saves money at the expense of robustness.
Number of Lathe Speeds
One of the features to be carefully evaluated when asking a professional how to choose the best bench lathe is the presence of a variator that allows giving more speed to this tool.
The idea of having to work with a limited number of possibilities when considering the rpm of the bench lathe is an option that should be far from the professional use of this tool.
For this reason, in addition to positively evaluating the purchase of a bench lathe with a good number of speeds, it is also useful to consider the presence of reversing the gear to improve sanding operations.
How to Choose the Best Lathe?
It is clear at this point that there is no real definition of what is the best choice. Many bench lathes can be useful in a personal workshop suitable for DIY and DIY enthusiasts.
Ultimately, the point to evaluate is the price. As always happens in these cases, you can not think of getting everything you need, with the highest possible quality, at minimum costs. Then?
A less complicated machine that suits your needs is better than focusing on solutions that promise a lot but do not respect quality standards such as the precision of the guides and the spindle.
