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As a mother and a wife, I have a passion for crafts and I mostly enjoy doing it with my kids as it gives me time to bond with them.
As you know, having kids in the house means you will encounter lots of breakages.
With these frequent breakages in the house, I don’t mind fixing them on my own. In this article, you will get to know the best mini lathe and what the products do.
1. Grizzly G8688 Mini Lathe
This G8688 mini lathe can be overwhelming to use especially if you are a beginner. It would require you have some experience using metal lathes.
You don’t need to sweat much as I also began from scratch. All you will have to do is practice regularly and within no time you will be using it perfectly.
Key specifications of the product
The Grizzly mini-lathe has dimensions of 7′ x 12′, it weighs 74 lbs. Moreover, it has a 110 volt and single-phase ¾ motor.
Its speed feature is variable and its ranges between 0-1100 low range and with a 0-2500 RPM high range. I love this model for its speed as it operates both forward and in reverse directions.
It also has a threading dial indicator with a 12 to 52 TPI thread range. I prefer this product as it has high-quality components, which means you will get reliable services for several years to come.
Key features
- One chip pan
- One steady rest
- One 4-way turn-post
- One backsplash guard
- One 3′ 3-jaw chuck that comes with external jaws
- One 6-1/4 face plate
Pros and cons of this product
Pros
- Due to the size of the product, you will be able to move around with it with no stress as it’s a lightweight model.
- It can fit in your workshop easily
- It is ideal for smaller projects especially within a personal environment.
Cons
- I realized that this product is not a great choice for larger professional applications or industrial use.
Why I included this product in this list?
The main reason why I included this product in this list is that it is made of high-quality components and is very durable. It is evident that the manufacturers are mainly focused on the user’s needs.
2. Mophorn B01MCVQ42C mini lathe
The mophorn mini lathe is great for working in small spaces in your workshop and it’s great for sitting on a benchtop. Moreover, you can also use it as a hobby at home or as a metalworker in education settings.
Key specifications of the product
It has a weight of 83 lbs with dimensions of 7’x 14′. It has a thread range of between 12 to 52 TPI.
550W, 110V and 0.75 HP motor. It has an emergency stop switch and an indicator lamp that will notify you whenever the power is on.
4′ three-jaw chuck and a tool turret that holds 3/8′ bits.
Key features of the product
- One oil can
- One nylon gears
- One chuck claw
- One hexagon bar wrench
- One double-headed wrench
Pros and cons of the product
Pros
- It has a speed knob that you can use to control the speed, providing good control over your turns.
- Its adaptable to the job you are doing due to the 0.75HP motor.
- Minimal vibration due to the high-quality construction.
Cons
- It is expensive
Why I included this product in the list?
The main reason why I included this product in the list is that it has a variable speed knob that you can use to regulate your turns. Many models lack this feature.
3. Erie tools SP2102 mini lathe
You can do left-handed threading as this product has a variable speed function. You can work with it in both directions and it can also move forward and reverse.
Key specifications of the product
It has dimensions of 7’x 14′ and a 053 HP motor. It also comes with a multi-jaw chuck with an optional auto-feed which helps in controlling your projects.
The digital readout can be accessed easily.
Key features
- Plastic change gears (one set)
- 5 carbide-tipped cutter kit.
- One MT3 spindle taper.
- One Erie tools mini lathe.
Pros and cons of the product
Pros
- It has a variable speed setting that is ideal when you are turning.
- It can be used in both directions and in reverse and forward.
Cons
- Since it has a 0.53 HP motor, it is not that powerful.
My top 3 picks:
- Grizzly G8688 Mini Lathe
- Mophorn B01MCVQ42C mini lathe
- Erie tools SP2102 mini lathe
Why I included this product in the list?
You will notice that this product has a motor which is great for setting the speed.
So what’s the best mini lathe
So, what’s the best mini lathe? If I had to pick just one it would be Mophorn B01MCVQ42C mini lathe and here’s why it has a variable speed knob that provides optimal control on your turns.
