Can I turn metal or other non-wood materials with your wood lathes? Although our wood lathes can physically turn many different types of materials, they are designed only for natural woods, wood-based products, and certain wood-bonding agents. Turning and chiseling materials not intended for a wood lathe can lead to serious injury for the operator or bystanders, shorten the machine's lifespan, and void the warranty.

How do I know what size of wood lathe I'll need? The primary factor in determining the size of wood lathe you need is what you intend to turn. The most important specification is the "swing over bed," which is twice the distance from the center of the spindle to the top of the lathe bed. This measurement indicates the maximum diameter of stock the lathe can handle. For example, a lathe with a 5" distance from the bed to the spindle center has a 10" swing over bed, meaning it can turn a workpiece with a maximum diameter of 10". If you plan to turn bowls, plates, and platters, prioritize the swing over bed.

Another important specification is the "distance between centers," which is the maximum length between the spindle center and the tailstock center. If you plan to turn balusters, pillars, or baseball bats, prioritize the distance between centers.

Finally, consider the space available in your shop. Wood lathes generally increase in size and weight with the swing over bed, and this also applies to the motors. For example, a mid-sized ("midi") wood lathe with a 16" swing over bed typically includes a stand with a footprint of about 4' x 1½', weighs between 300 and 500 lbs., and has a 2 HP motor. Benchtop wood lathes usually have a 10-12" swing over bed, ½ - ¾ HP motors, and are small and light enough to be portable. Larger wood lathes have a swing over bed of at least 20", weigh 700-1000 lbs., and have a footprint of at least 5' x 2'.  

My power supply is actually around 208V, but this machine is rated for 220V. Will the machine still run? Yes, the machine will still run and function properly.

I see all your 220V wood lathes have 3-phase motors. Will the machines run on a single-phase power supply? Yes, all of our large- and medium-size wood lathes are equipped with variable frequency drives (VFDs). Features that our customers expect in a 220V wood lathe, such as smooth variable-speed control and forward/reverse direction, require 3-phase AC motors. A VFD converts the single-phase power that is common in most shops to the 3-phase power required by the motors on our large- and medium-size wood lathes.  

What is the difference between G0799, G0800, and G0835? Although similar in appearance, the G0800, G0799, and G0835 have some distinct design differences. The G0800 has a 3 HP motor, a 24" swing over bed, and a 48" distance between centers. The G0799 has a 2 HP motor, a 20" swing over bed, and a 48" distance between centers. The G0835 has a 3 HP motor, a 24" swing over bed, and a 24" distance between centers. All three lathes are designed for heavy-duty use. The G0800 and G0799 have swing-away beds for quick changes to outboard turning; however, the G0800 provides an additional 4" of swing over bed. The G0835 has a smaller footprint than the G0800 and G0799 and is specifically designed for bowl turning.