Top 10 Best Wood Lathes Under $500

People's Choice

These Are Some Of The Highest Rated Wood Lathes Under $500 Available Today
Shop Fox W1704 featured image

2. Shop Fox W1704 Wood Lathe

  • (266 Points)
Price Available

In general I am very happy with the Wood Lathe! The machine is quiet and smooth as silk. So far, I'm very satisfied with this Wood Lathe. If you're a beginner, this Wood Lathe is for you. Screw the feet in place and you're good to go!

The truth is that the WEN 3421 Wood Lathe B07ZG9VTT2 was the Wood Lathes Under $500 that we rated at the top. Even so, there were several other really premium quality Wood Lathes Under $500 worth showcasing here that only just missed the mark.

Next up is made by Shop Fox which is a very trusted tool brand. Shop Fox's Wood Lathes are also top quality. I was excited to try out the model W1704 and I was not disappointed!

The model W1704 Wood Lathe by Shop Fox, at $249.99 is an especially exceptional Wood Lathe for the money. The Shop Fox W1704 is definitely a solid option. Of you are unsure about our top choice, I would opt for this Wood Lathe.

Full Shop Fox W1704 Review

Shop Fox W1704 Features

Motor: 1/3 HP, 2 Amp, 110V, Single-phase, 60 Hz

12-inch distance between centers

8-inch swing over bed

Cast iron construction and infinitely variable speed control

Includes two tool rests

Besides the option we already covered, I would take a look at the Wood Lathe by Bachin and the Mini wood lathe-multi-function by YWY. Both Bachin and YWY are considered two of the top makers of high quality Wood Lathes. Each of these particular options earned very good end user reviews also. Users gave the Bachin an average rating of 3.7/5 stars. Contrast that to the Mini wood lathe-multi-function which boasts an average rating of 3.7/5 stars.

The Wood Lathe by Bachin gives some truly premium features like Designed for the home DIY enthusiasts, small and portable, strong power, not suitable for mass production or commercial use.. The Mini wood lathe-multi-function by YWY by comparison, is hard to beat offering Specially designed for the home DIY enthusiasts and hobbies,small and portable size with strong power. plus Super large torque ball bearing motor, maximum rotating speed up to 8000RPM providing ultra strong cutting power with low noise, you can use it at home..

Both of these two options make an exceptional decision if you're shopping for Wood Lathes Under $500
Bachin Wood Lathe featured image

3. Bachin Wood Lathe Wood Lathe

  • (185 Points)

The machine itself works without issues. Larger clearance than most comparable models. It runs great and I really like it. I was really pleased with this Wood Lathe. I'm glad I looked a bit more before purchasing another model.

YWY Mini wood lathe-multi-function featured image

4. YWY Mini wood lathe-multi-function Wood Lathe

  • (128 Points)

This is a very nice Wood Lathe. Very quiet as well. Using it with the right tool can do a fine job. Despite its size and power, this is not a toy. Ready to go in just 3 minutes after opening the box.

Honorable Mentions

If you are thinking that the Wood Lathes Under $500 we rated above don't cut it, here are a handful of alternative selections that may likely better match your needs. We identified several great Wood Lathes throughout our investigation. With in depth research and assessments, the selections mentioned above are our favorites. That being said, these Wood Lathes below deliver several special features on top of the fact that they are each top ranked Wood Lathes Under $500.

Yaemart Corportation TEK-AB-0180 featured image

5. Yaemart Corportation TEK-AB-0180 Wood Lathe

  • (92 Points)

You won't find a better Wood Lathe for the money. I am a hobbyist and this Wood Lathe is great. The Wood Lathe was delivered in great shape . This Wood Lathe will definitely handle heavy jobs. It pays for itself in just a few uses

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6. Rikon 70-105 Wood Lathe

  • (85 Points)

As a woodturner, I've been very pleased. No instructions needed on how to set up. Functionality is perfect. Smaller diameter pieces are easier to work with. I'm SUPER pleased with my new Wood Lathe!

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7. Mophorn Wood Lathe

  • (75 Points)

Jet has a similar unit but for a few hundreds more. No instructions needed on how to set up. This is one awesome Wood Lathe and well built. The price for what you get is really decent deal. The Wood Lathe arrived fine and works well.

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8. WEN 3424T Wood Lathe

  • (63 Points)

I am a hobbyist and this Wood Lathe is great. I turned in on and I was working in minutes. For the price, this Wood Lathe is super hard to beat. The WEN 3424T is very smooth, and works as expected. The packaging was good and no shipping damage.

Rockler Woodworking and Hardware MC-1018 featured image

9. Rockler Woodworking and Hardware MC-1018 Wood Lathe

  • (59 Points)

I really like its speed. Overall I’m very satisfied with this Wood Lathe. It ran very smoothly with virtually zero vibrations. The Wood Lathe arrived fine and works well. I recommend that beginners buy this Wood Lathe.

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10. Jet JWL-1015 Wood Lathe

  • (55 Points)

Took only a few tries before I mastered it. Overall, it runs smooth and is a great machine. Has been a very reliable and fun little machine. It is easy to find parts for. I turned 2 small bowls in just one afternoon.