Review of the Best Midi Wood Lathes in 2020
In this review of the best midi wood lathe that is currently available for purchase on the market, we will take an in depth look at several of these power tools, stating what their various pros and cons are. By doing this, it should help you when it comes to making a decision as to which one of them to buy. If that does not help though, then do not despair, as come the end of the review, we will make a recommendation on which midi wood lathe we believe is the best of them all.
In addition to all of this and in the hope of making a purchasing decision that much easier, we do will do our very best to fully answer some of the Internet’s most frequently asked questions about both midi lathes and wood lathes in general. To ensure that all of the information that we provide you with when answering these questions is accurate and up to date, we enlisted the help of several experts who know all about these types of power tools and have used them for many years.
Best Midi Lathes: Our Top Picks
Table of Contents
#1 Rikon 1 HP Variable Speed MIDI Lathe 12.5 In. x 20 In. VSR
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 1 horse power motor
- Made from cast iron
- 5 year manufacturer warranty
Possessing all of the functions and features of a much larger power tool, the Rikon 1 HP Variable Speed MIDI Lathe 12.5 In. x 20 In. VSR is small enough to be easily moved around your workshop or transported from job to job. Thanks to its robust construction, it is much more stable than what a mini lathe would be. Also, because of the many different features that it has, such as its powerful 1 horsepower motor, variable speed range settings, a wide range of functioning speeds, a digital readout display, a forward and reverse gear, index settings, a large diameter, and a large turning capacity, it is the ideal choice for professional woood workers.
Other useful features that the power toool has includes a live center, a 3 inch faceplate, a tool rest, a knock out bar, a tool holder, and wrenches. Thanks to the powerful motor that the lathe has, it can be used for a whole host of different woood working applications. When you need to change the belt speeds, this is easy to do thanks to the fact that it has a belt cover that is hinged and so is easy to open up and gain access. Weighing in at 380 pounds, being just over 17 inches tall, and coming in a nice looking blue color, the lathe will look good in any workshop that it sits in.
The reason for the Rikon 1 HP Variable Speed MIDI Lathe 12.5 In. x 20 In. VSR being heavy is because it is made from cast iron cast iron. As a result, you will know that it should last a long and be able to withstand being knocked and bumped; something that it bound to happen. However, should it ever get damaged and / or break, then there is no need to worry as the power toool comes covered with a 5 year manufacturer warranty. This means that it will either be fixed or replaced free of charge if there are any issues with it.
PROS
- 1 horse power motor
- Made from cast iron
- 5 year manufacturer warranty
CONS
- Heavy
#2 Delta 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 12.5 inch swing capacity
- Forward and reverse gear option
- 5 year manufacturer warranty
Boasting a powerful 1 horse power motor, the Delta Industrial 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe can be used for a wide variety of wood working applications. Couple this with the power tool’s 12.5 inch swing capacity and you have something that is good enough to be used by any professional wood worker. Its speeds range from between 250 RPM and 4,000 RPM, with the slower speed ranges being ideal for turning larger pieces of wood and the faster speed ranges being better for smaller turning.
The lathe has both a forward and reverse gear option, which enables you to achieve a good quality finish on all of your work, as you are able to get it super smooth by switching between the two directions. This can be done with a quick and easy flip of a switch. Thanks to the powerful 1 horse power motor that it comes with, you are able to use the power tool rest for a variety of different wood working applications, including making bowls, pens, and dinner plates.
Although limited to certain aspects, the Delta 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Miidi Lathe comes with a 5 year warranty, meaning that should you have any problems with it, you are able to send it back to get fixed or have a replacement part, such as the digital readout display, sent out to you free of charge. This goes to show that this is a high quality product that is not likely to break or go wrong. Featuring a 6 foot long power cable, you have the freedom of placing the wood lathe wherever you want and do not have to necessarily be that close to s mains power socket.
PROS
- 12.5 inch swing capacity
- Forward and reverse gear option
- 5 year manufacturer warranty
CONS
- Manufacturer has poor customer service
#3 Laguna Tools Revo 12 | 16 Lathe
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 45 degree chamfered edge
- 2 year manufacturer warranty
- Forward and reverse gear option
Coming in a small package, the Laguna Tools Revo 12 | 16 Lathe has a powerful 1 horsepower motor that features a unique pulse width modulation system. This helps to ensure that the power tool remains at a constant torque regardless of what speed range it is running at. Changing the belt is easy thanks to the one one stop cam action that the power tool has. This is made even easy by the fact that it has a magnetic door housing. The banjo on the lathe for wood has a 45 degree chamfered edge.
In order to keep both yourself and anyone in the surrounding area safe whilst the power tool is in operation, you should keep all of the guards fully in place. Similarly, it is also important that all of the locks are nice and tight so that nothing comes loose when it is powered up and working. It comes with a 2 year limited manufacturer’s warranty, although parts that are wearable, such as plates etc. are only covered for a 90 day period. Should you need to file a warranty claim, this is an easy thing to do.
Despite it being as small power tool, the Laguna Tools Revo 12 | 16 Lathe is not necessarily a product that it just intended for beginners. In fact, it has many different functions and features that are well suited to more experienced wood workers. However, it is not strictly the best wood lathe for larger type wood working projects. With it having both a forward and reverse function, it enables you to get a good quality cast iron finish on any wood working project that you are working on.
Should you need it, there is a stand that you can purchase at an additional cost for this power tool rest. Weighing in at 118 pounds, it is not that heavy that you are unable to easily move the lathe around your workshop or job site. The digital readout display makes it easy for you to see what speed range the wood lathe is currently operating at, as well as being able to change between the forward and reverse gears and to switch it on and off. The tailstock wheel needs to be turned anti clockwise in order for it to come out.
PROS
- 45 degree chamfered edge
- 2 year manufacturer warranty
- Forward and reverse gear option
CONS
- Not all parts covered by manufacturer’s warranty
- Not suited to larger jobs
#4 Nova 14 DR Bench Midi Wood Lathe
NOTABLE FEATURES
- 14 inch swing capacity
- Electronic variable speed
- 6 foot power cord
Made from cast iron cast iron, the Nova 14 DR Bench Miidi Wood Lathe is highly robust and can handle most jobs thanks to its large capacity. It is a great power tool for those individuals who are knew to the world of wood working and so require an entry level type product. Thanks to the fact that it has a swing capacity of 14 inches and comes with a digital readout, it makes getting the most out of the wood lathe a really easy thing to do. Not only is it good for beginners, but also for more experienced uses of such a power tool.
Because it only has a small footprint, the lathe is ideal for use in a small or cluttered workshop where space is at a premium. It has an electronic variable speed range of between 250 revolutions per minute and 3,450 revolutions per minute. This gives you all of the flexibility needed to be able to work with large and unbalanced pieces of wood, as well as being able to perform more detailed work, such as finishing and sanding. Setting the correct speed for a job is easy thanks to the adjustable speed control dial that the wood lathe has.
By being able to quickly and easily adjust the speed ranges to the required level, it limits the amount of danger that you are exposed to when using the lathe, as the right speed is set for the type of job that you are working on. This means that the Nova 14 DR Bench Midi Wood Lathe can be used for a whole host of different jobs, including for making platters, bowls, and even pens. It has both a forward and reverse motion setting, which adds an extra layer of flexibility to the lathe, and allows for a highly superior finish.
This is helped by the fact that the lathe produces very few vibrations. Because it comes with a power cord that is 6 feet in length, you do not worry about having to be super close to a mains power socket, thus offering you more freedom as to where exactly in your workshop the power tool rest goes. However, moving it freely around a workshop or any other space where the wood lathe may be used is not that easy given the fact that it weighs in the region of 107 pounds.
PROS
- 14 inch swing capacity
- Electronic variable speed
- 6 foot power cord
CONS
- Heavy
- Runs open on either pulley
FAQS – A Buyer’s Guide
Below we have provided detailed answers to some of those questions that you have always wanted to know about either midi lathes or just about wood lathes in general. It is the aim of this section to give you all of the information that you need in order to be able to choose which of these power tools is best for you and your needs. To help us with this task, we have enlisted the help of several industry experts and experienced users of wood lathes, so you can rest assured that all of the information given is of a good quality.
What is the best MIDI lathe?
Out of all of the midi lathes wood that are currently available to purchase, the jet jwl jet jwl 1015 wood working lathe is the best of them all. What is particularly good about this one one is that it is lightweight and only weighs 77 pounds. Thanks to its compact design, it will fit into most spaces, even where space is at a premium. Because it comes with a cheaper price tag and is really easy to use, it is a good lathe for those beginner wood workers who may never have used such a power tool rest before.
However, thanks to the many different functions and features that it has, the lathe is also a good choice for more experienced wood workers. The power tool has a 10 inch swing over bed range and can even be extended using a bed extension accessory that can be purchased additionally at an extra cost. With a 0.5 horse power motor, the wooden lathe has a fair bit of power, but is, of course, not as powerful as a full sized lathe. The speeds that it operates at ranges from 500 RPM at the slowest to 3,600 RPM at the fastest.
For larger style wood working jobs, the jet jwl 1015 wood working lathe is probably not the best because of how lightweight it is. Similarly, because of it having a short distance between centres, it is not suitable for working with longer or bigger pieces of wood.
What is a MIDI wood lathe?
Wood lathes typically come in three different sizes; mini, miidi, and full size. The difference between these power tools is simply the size of them. So a miidi wood lathe is an in between size of a mini one and a full size one. Some of the best cast iron miidi wood lathes that are currently available on the market include the delta industrial 46 460 12 1 2 inch variable speed miidi lathe, the jet jwl jet jwl 1221vs 12 inch by 21 inch variable speed control wood lathe, and the nova 46300 comet ii variable speed mini lathe.
What is a good wood lathe for beginners?
Some of the best wood lathes for beginner wood workers include the Powermatic 1352001 Model 3520B 20×35-Inch Wood Lathe, the JET JWL-1221VS 12-Inch by 21-Inch Variable Speeed Wood Lathe, the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe, and the Delta Industrial 46-460 12-1/2-Inch Variable-Speed Miidi Lathe. However, our favorite is the SHOP FOX W1704 1/3-Horsepower Benchtop Lathe. This is because it possesses a number of features that make it s really interesting power tool rest.
One of these includes its small 1/3 horse power motor, which is rather plucky given its size. In addition to this, it also has a distance of 12 inches between the centres, and has three various tool rests. This provides you with a good level of safety, so that you are able to work on a piece of wood in safety. Thanks to the fact that it is made out of a string cast iron cast iron, the lathe is extremely sturdy and is able to withstand being used both a lot and for extended periods of time.
The SHOP FOX W1704 1/3-Horsepower Benchtop Lathe ill, therefore, last for many years to come and, so, represents good value for money in the long run, regardless of how much you pay for it now. Thanks to the variable speed control that the power tool has, you are able to easily set the speed at which you want it to operate at. So that you do not have to worry about it ever breaking down, it comes with a full 2 year warranty, meaning that you should never be left with a power tool that is not working during this time period.
Are Nova lathes any good?
Nova has been manufacturing lathes since 1980 and during that time have been responsible for a number of unique innovations that have changed these power tools for the better. At present, the company makes 6 different lathes, including the Nova 1624 II Lathe, the Nova Comet 14 DR Midi Lathe review, the Nova Comet II DR Miidi Lathe, the Nova Galaxi DVR 2 hp Lathe, the Nova Orion 18” DVR Lathe, and the Nova Saturn DVR 2 hp Lathe. Each of these have a number of different accessories that are compatible with them should you ever need them.
Our favorite out of all of these is the Nova 14 DR Bench Miidi Wood Lathe that featured in the above list of Our Top Picks. What is good about this particular model of lathe is that it has a large 14 inch swing capacity, has electronic variable speeds, and has a 6 foot power cord. The only problems with it is that it is heavy and runs open on either pulley. Should this not be sufficient for what you need, then any of the other Nova lathes are a good and adequate alternative.
The Best Midi Wood Lathe Of Them All
Delta 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Midi Lathe
Now that we have come to the end of this review into the best midi wood lathes in 2020, we now have to make our decision on which of them is our favorite and, thus, the one you should purchase. However, should you not agree exactly with our decision, then any of the other lathes that featured in the list of Our Top Picks will make a suitable alternative given the fact that it has already been whittled down from a large list of these types of power tool.
So, that being said, our favorite midi wood lathe in 2020 is the Delta 12-1/2 In. Variable-Speed Miidi Lathe. This is because it has a large 12.5 inch swing capacity, a forward and reverse gear option, and a 5 year manufacturer warranty. With all of these benefits, you are able to use the lathe to produce a variety of different wooden objects to a high level of quality. The only downside is that if you ever experience any problems with it, the manufacturer’s customer service is not very good.