Buying your first lathe is exciting. Imagine all the things you can make as gifts, for your home or even to sell, not to mention all the time you’re going to spend with the soothing, satisfying task of woodturning. Having your own lathe opens up new worlds for makers, but choosing the right one is a little overwhelming. You’ll find advice and opinions all over the internet about what brands are best, but there are a couple of basic things to know before you go into those specifics. Once you have the basics sorted out, you can really start shopping.
What size wood lathe do I need?
Deciding on the size of lathe you need depends on several factors, including what lathe projects you want to create, your skill level, and whether you’re turning as a hobby or for starting a business. Of course, price also plays a role. Wood lathes fall into three size categories: mini, midi and full size. The main measurements to consider are swing diameter and distance between centers.
Swing diameter and DBC (distance between centers)
When looking at the sizing description of a lathe, you’ll see measurements like 10×18 or 12×36. This is the swing diameter and distance between centers.
Swing
The swing indicates the widest possible size of blank that can be turned on your lathe. This measurement is based on the distance between the headstock and the lathe bed times two. For example, if your lathe has a swing diameter of 10 inches, you can hypothetically mount a bowl blank that is 10 inches across or smaller. However, some models have the toolrest in a spot that takes up some space, taking a couple of inches off the maximum size you can turn.
DBC
Distance between centers, also called DBC and the “length of bed”, is the maximum distance between the spindle and the center of the tailstock. It determines the longest piece of wood you can mount. So if your lathe has a bed length of 24 inches, you can mount wood up to 24 inches long.
So, for example, if your lathe size is 7×14, you can mount a wood blank that is around 7 inches wide by 14 inches long and under.
Mini, midi and full-size wood lathes
Mini lathe
A mini lathe is great if you’re woodturning as a hobby or if you plan to stick with smaller projects.
- Pens, bottle stoppers, smaller bowls and containers, utensil handles, jewelry, ornaments
- Up to 10″ swing
- Up to 18″ DBC
Midi lathe
A midi lathe is suitable for woodturners who plan to work up to larger projects. It can do the same amount of work as a full-sized lathe while taking up less space. Some models have an extendable bed so you can adjust it depending on what you’re making.
- Bowls, flower pots, furniture parts (plus all smaller projects)
- 12″ to 16″ swing
- 18″ to 36″ DBC
Full-Size lathe
A full-sized lathe can take on almost any turning project and handle professional volumes. There are no limits with a full-sized lathe. That being said, many woodturners, especially pen makers, don’t necessarily need a lathe of this size.
- Large bowls, furniture, table legs, musical instruments, large projects
- 16″ and larger swing
- 36″ and larger DBC
- Suitable for turning all sizes of projects or those that need more motor power
Important features of a wood lathe
After you’ve decided on the size of lathe that’s a good fit for your woodshop, you need to double-check some details. These are things that you’ll need to keep in mind when choosing tools to ensure they’re compatible with your lathe.
Morse taper
A Morse taper is a tool that fits into the headstock and tailstock of a lathe and has a hollow housing for inserting chucks, mandrels, live and dead centers, drills and other accessories. Most lathes are either Morse taper one or two (MT1 and MT2). Morse tapers 1 and 2 have the same angle-per-inch but are a different length and overall size. MT2 is more common and therefore has more selection of compatible tools. MT1 also has tools available but you may need an adapter if you want to experiment with a wider range of products.
Spindle threads
The spindle of your lathe is where chucks, faceplates and other tooling are screwed onto the headstock. There are several sizes of threading, measured in TPI (threads per inch). The user manual will indicate which threads you have. The most common are 1×8 TPI, 1.25×8 TPI and M33x3.5mm. When purchasing tools, be sure the check that the tool matches the spindle threads because they’re not interchangeable. You can purchase an adapter if necessary.
Installation
When installing your new lathe, think about what height is most comfortable for you to turn. A standard workbench is too high for most people because the working area of the lathe is elevated. Many people make their own bench, or some brands have compatible lathe stands, so have a look at those while shopping. Think about what angles you like to work at, and create space around the lathe accordingly.
Safety
When setting up your new lathe, make sure there is plenty of room around it so you can move comfortably and the area is free of items that might get caught in it. Before you start, be ready with eye protection, a face shield and bright light. Don’t wear loose clothing that can get caught in the lathe, tie up your hair and use respiratory protection where necessary. Start new projects at a slow speed and only increase speed when the piece is balanced.
Have questions about woodturning? Ask us!
We’re happy to answer all your woodturning and pen making questions at William Wood-Write. As a small Canadian business, we value our customers and want to provide the best service possible. If you’re looking for starter kits, pen turning supplies, pen blanks or beginner bundles, we have them! Follow us on Facebook for a weekly exotic wood auction and woodturning inspiration.
