Can I turn metal or other non-wood materials with your wood lathes?
Our wood lathes are specifically designed for turning natural wood, wood-based products, and select wood-bonding agents. While they may physically turn other materials, doing so is unsafe and not recommended. Turning or chiseling non-wood materials can result in serious injury, shorten the life of the machine, and void the warranty.

How do I know what size wood lathe I need?
It depends on what you plan to turn. The two main specifications to consider are:

• Swing over bed: This determines the maximum diameter of a workpiece the lathe can handle. It’s calculated as twice the distance from the center of the spindle to the top of the bed. For example, if that distance is 5", the lathe has a 10" swing over bed—meaning it can turn a 10" diameter piece. If you're turning bowls, plates, or platters, this is the most important measurement.

• Distance between centers: This is the maximum length of material the lathe can accommodate between the headstock and tailstock when fully extended. It's the key spec for turning longer pieces like balusters, furniture legs, or baseball bats.

Also consider the available space in your shop. Larger lathes require more room and generally have more powerful motors:

• Benchtop lathes: Typically offer a 10–12" swing, ½–¾ HP motors, and are light and portable.

• Midi lathes: Usually have a 16" swing, a 2 HP motor, weigh 300–500 lbs., and take up about 4' x 1½' of floor space.

• Full-size lathes: Often have a 20"+ swing, weigh 700–1000 lbs., and require a footprint of at least 5' x 2'.

I see some machines advertised as 110V, some as 115V, and others as 120V. Aren’t these the same? Why not use a consistent voltage listing?
Yes and no. All of these machines will run on a standard household outlet in the U.S., so there’s no functional difference for the end user. The variation comes from how voltage is officially defined in different countries. For example:

• In the U.S., the nominal voltage is 120V

• In Taiwan, it may be listed as 110V

• In China, it might be 115V

These slight differences matter to utility providers and manufacturers, not typically to consumers. Power companies must deliver within ±5% of the nominal voltage, and motors are usually rated to operate within ±10% of the listed voltage.

Our policy is to list the exact voltage shown on the motor’s nameplate. This ensures the most accurate, transparent information possible—so the specs you see in our catalog match what’s on the machine when it arrives.