Best Wood Lathes for Turning Bowls

While it’s not utilized often, a wood lathe is an important tool in any woodworker's shop. You can work on a project using different power tools, though to achieve utmost smoothness, you'll have to use a best wood lathes, or else you'll take forever trying to achieve a similar level of smoothness. 

If you're a professional or even beginner in woodturning, having the best wood lathe for turning bowls is the first thing you'll require, in addition to your creativity and skills. 

When looking for wood lathes, it is essential that you get the right one because they are pricey, and it would be unfortunate if you spent all that money on the wrong machine. To make the choosing process easier, I've reviewed the best wood lathes for turning bowls, and you should consider purchasing one of them.

My Top Pick is NOVA 1624 II Wood Lathe 

The NOVA 1624 II wood lathe is a potent power tool designed as an upgrade to its predecessor. Enhanced, the NOVA 1624 II, while being a mini lathe, is supremely capable of competing with the rest. 

I love the durable and solid build as most of its construction includes robust cast iron, which also contributes to the lathe producing close to no vibration when running. 

Still not convinced? Here is the comprehensive review:

Specifications 

Dimensions: 43 by 11 by 19 In.

Horsepower: 1.5hp

Voltage: 115

Speed Range: 215 to 3600 RPM

Swing Capacity: 16 In.

Weight: 273 Lbs.

Swivel Head: 360-degree

Spindle thread: 1-1/4 In. x 8 TPI RH

Warranty: 5 years limited warranty

What I Like 

• It has a durable structure due to the cast iron and steel construction

• This tool is easy to set up and run

• It is reasonably priced 

• It offers variable speeds

• It features a potent 1.5hp motor

What I Don’t Like 

• It has a manual speed modification that makes it difficult for amateurs to run it. 

Key Features 

Quality Cast iron Construction

Are you in search of a wood lathe that`ll produce minimal vibration? Then the NOVA 1624 II is what you're looking for. 

I was fortunate to have tried out quite a number of lathes before the NOVA 1624 II. With some of the lathes, I had to deal with vibration, but with the NOVA, it was a quiet operation all through. Besides, it is by far the most robust lathe I`ve used.

Turning bowls is among the tasks that require incredible precision. For this reason, the manufacturer included a cam action lever which makes modifications faster and easier thanks to the rubber grasps. 

Potent Motor

The NOVA 1624 II lathe features an in-built powerful motor. It is among the best add-ons on this machine, making it stand out in the crowd. 

Additionally, while researching, I realized that most wood lathes for turning bowls feature a 1hp motor. However, the NOVA 1624 II has a 1.5hp motor capable of small and mid-size projects. 

What's more, it has eight variable speeds ranging from 215 to 3600 RPM. Again, it will lock the spindle momentarily if the lathe has a problem. 

Smart Control

I love the smart computerized control that comes with this magnificent wood lathe. It makes handling it extremely effortless and ensures precision and unmatched smoothness with every bowl. 

The smart control comes in handy in different situations, including turning when you require weighing the bowl and performance modifications regarding your desired results. Plus, it would inform me if there was an issue while assembling the lathe and instruct me on how to go about it right. 

Incredible Torque Power 

This power tool will provide instant power whenever you require it. The built-in motor has a 1.75/115V power specification that guarantees sufficient power for your bowl-turning projects. 

In addition to this machine working efficiently, it can as well work with larger bowls. It spreads out the spindle capacity, which supplements the space on the bed. 

So, the torque and bed space will undoubtedly meet your needs whenever you`re working on a demanding project. 

Safety 

Most wood lathes for turning bowls are designed for lightweight tasks and sometimes don’t have safety features, leaving you susceptible to danger. 

However, this is not the case with the NOVA 1624 II. It has a smart sensing feature that's completely fail-safe. In addition, it has an in-built computerized system that shuts down the lather when it senses an issue with its operation. 

Power Saving

Machines are becoming more and more efficient thanks to the advancements in technology. When it comes to the NOVA 1624 II, you get a smart computer that enhances the motor's efficiency. 

This way, it saves 80% energy, which is higher than most wood lathes on the market. It only consumes the power needed for the project at hand. 

Plug & Play Remote 

This wood lathe is a plug & play machine. So, you only need to plug it in whenever you want to use it.

While the market has wood lathes that require prior knowledge on how to operate them, the NOVA 1624 II is user-friendly enough to use even without prior experience. Upon plugging it in, it switches on with changeable speed control and the ability of forward & backward thrust. 

Accessories 

The NOVA 1624 II wood lathe comes with a stand, manual, and fastenings for connecting the different parts.

Cost and Comparison

At a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on amazon, the NOVA 1624 II has surely impressed plenty of its buyers. It retails between $950 and $1200, which is somewhat affordable considering its features and capabilities. 

On the other hand, its competition, the JET JWL 1015 wood lathe, goes for $480 to $600, making it the cheapest in this review. The Delta industrial 46-460 goes for $840 to $950, which is also slightly cheaper than the NOVA 1624 II mini lathe. 

Jet JWL 1015 Lathe

The Jet 1015 wood lathe is an excellent option for a beginner in woodturning, especially if you're creating bowls. 

First, this tool is affordable (the most affordable option in this review) and doesn't sacrifice performance. However, this machine is only suitable for small and medium-sized workpieces.  

It also has six variable speeds, with the highest speed standing at 3975 RPM, higher than the NOVA 1624's. Unfortunately, this machine utilizes a standard tension belt which needs readjusting when switching speeds. 

Moreover, the Jet 1015 has a reverse feature like the Delta Industrial 46-460. With all these features in mind, the JET JWL 1015 is a good budget option, but consider spending a few hundred dollars and buy the NOVA 1624 II, as it will offer you so much more!

Overall, this is an excellent starting point for beginners, and it comes with sturdy construction and a five-year warranty. 

Delta Industrial 46-460 Lathe 

Last on this review is the delta Industrial 46-460 lathe. This is a 12-inch machine equipped with a powerful motor that produces a maximum speed of 1725 RPM. While this speed is low, it's sufficient for small tasks. 

Also, it offers a swing capability of 12 inches and changeable speeds to work on different woods without needing to switch belts or decelerate. The customized belt tensioning mechanism is user-friendly and offers swift speed changes. It is also adjustable, offering you a comfy working placement and extra stability when working with large bowls. 

On the other hand, some buyers have complained that the forward and reverse features are reversed, though you solve this by re-labeling them. 

Why Buy the NOVA 1624 II Mini Lathe?

The NOVA 1624 II lathe is an excellent machine considering its technical solidity. The 1.5hp motor is more powerful than most, making it perfect for turning small and large bowls. Its accessories, innovation, functionality, and durability make it stand out.

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