What swing, length between centres and the other figures mean is explained in the lathe guide. Full-size floor lathes are compared in how to choose a lathe.
Match the lathe to the work
| Work | Figure that decides it | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Pens, knobs and small spindles | Speed range and a light, steady machine | A top speed for small diameters in its chart |
| Rolling pins, handles and short legs | Distance between centres | At least the blank's length; 18–20 in on the lathes here |
| Small bowls and platters | Swing over the rest base, low speed and torque | Swing over the banjo, not just the bed; a low-speed range |
| Turning many sizes | Speed control | Variable speed within ranges, so belts change less often |
| Adding a chuck | Spindle thread | A common thread such as 1 in × 8 TPI, stated in the manual |
Planning guidance from what the makers state. Not a ranking.
Four benchtop lathes by their makers' figures
| Lathe | Swing / between centres | Over rest base | Speed | Spindle | Motor | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly H8259 | 10 / 18 in | Not listed (4-1/2 in over the rest) | Five belt speeds | MT#2; thread not stated | 1/2 HP | 73 lb |
| Grizzly T25920 | 12 / 18 in | 9-1/2 in | 300–3700 rpm variable | MT#2; 1 in × 8 TPI | 3/4 HP, 120 V | 79 lb |
| Grizzly G0844 | 14 / 20 in | 10 in | 250–3550 rpm, three ranges and a dial | MT#2; 1 in × 8 TPI | 3/4 HP, 120 V | 110 lb |
| WEN 34034 | 14 / 20 in | Not listed | 250–3550 rpm in three ranges | MT2; 1 in × 8 TPI | 6 A, 120 V | 125.7 lb |
Each maker's own figures. 'Not listed' and 'not stated' mean the manual reviewed gives no such figure. Grizzly's H8259 manual lists a threaded insert for 1 in × 8 TPI accessories. Not a ranking.
Equipment notePaid link
14 x 20-in variable-speed benchtop lathe, with drive and live center kit
WEN 34035 with LA0009 kit
WEN's page gives the 34035 the same 14 in by 20 in capacity, 6 A motor and 250–3550 rpm as the 34034 in the table above; this listing adds WEN's LA0009 center kit.
Paid link — BenchRoot may earn a commission if you buy through this link.
Specifications to check
| Specification | Why it matters | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Swing over bed and over rest base | The largest disc it can turn with the rest in place | Both figures; the rest base one is smaller |
| Distance between centres | The longest spindle | Your longest planned blank, plus waste |
| Speed range and control | Low speed for large or out-of-round work; high for small | The range, and whether changes need a belt move |
| Spindle thread and taper | Which chucks, faceplates and centres fit | Thread and Morse taper in the manual |
| Motor and supply | Torque at low speed; the outlet it needs | Horsepower or amps and voltage |
| Weight and mounting | Stability against vibration | Weight, and a bench or stand that carries it |
| Reverse and indexing | Sanding both ways; laying out equal divisions | Listed features, such as the G0844's |
What each figure decides; read them from the lathe's own manual. Not a ranking.
What a benchtop lathe cannot do
| Limit | Why | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Long spindles | 18–20 in between centres on the lathes here | A full-size lathe, or a bed extension where its maker offers one |
| Large bowls and platters | Swing over the rest base of 10 in or less here | A larger swing |
| Heavy roughing of big blanks | 1/2 to 3/4 HP and low mass | Smaller blanks, light cuts and low speed |
| Fitting any chuck | Threads differ; the H8259 needs an insert | Match the chuck to the stated thread |
General limits of the class, from the figures above. Not a ranking.
Safety— A stable base and the right speed
Set the lathe on a bench or stand that carries its weight and the work, as its manual describes, and follow its speed chart: Grizzly asks for low speeds for large, long or out-of-round work. See woodworking safety rules.
Before buying a benchtop lathe
- Largest diameter and longest blank you plan to turn
- Swing over the rest base and length between centres cover them
- Speed control suits how often you change sizes
- Spindle thread stated, and chucks made for it
- Supply matches an outlet you have
- A bench or stand that carries the weight
Turning tools for a small lathe are covered in how to choose turning tools; every woodturning page is mapped in the lathe guide.
Sources
Specification-based: every figure is the maker's for its own lathe, from its manual, and is shown to compare what each states. 'Mini' and 'midi' have no agreed boundary, so lathes are compared by their figures. Nothing was tested and none is ranked.
- 1.
Model H8259 10" x 18" Benchtop Lathe, Owner's Manual. Grizzly Industrial, 2009.
Used for: A 10 × 18 in benchtop lathe: 1/2 HP, five belt speeds, MT#2 tapers, 73 lb; a threaded insert needed for 1 in × 8 TPI accessories.
- 2.
Model T25920 12" x 18" Benchtop Wood Lathe, Owner's Manual. Grizzly Industrial, 2020.
Used for: A 12 × 18 in benchtop lathe: 3/4 HP on 120 V, 300–3700 rpm variable, 9-1/2 in over the rest base, MT#2, 1 in × 8 TPI, 79 lb.
- 3.
Model G0844 14" x 20" Benchtop Wood Lathe, Owner's Manual. Grizzly Industrial, 2019.
Used for: A 14 × 20 in benchtop lathe: 3/4 HP on 120 V, 250–3550 rpm in three belt ranges with a dial, 10 in over the rest base, MT#2, 1 in × 8 TPI, forward and reverse, 24-position indexing, 110 lb.
- 4.
Model 34034 14" x 20" Variable Speed Wood Lathe, Instruction Manual. WEN Products (store-hosted copy), 2019.
Used for: A 14 × 20 in lathe: 6 A at 120 V, three speed ranges (250–720, 600–1700, 1200–3550 rpm), MT2, 1 in × 8 TPI, an 8 in tool rest, a 4 in faceplate, 125.7 lb.
- 5.
FAQs. Easy Wood Tools.
Used for: Chucks in 1 in and 1-1/4 in thread sizes, chosen from the lathe's owner's manual.
About this buying guide
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