Table lathe: types, how to choose the right model

For those who love to be creative and make various products with their own hands, a desktop lathe will become a faithful assistant. Manufacturers offer various types of such equipment, and therefore it is worth figuring out how to choose the right option.

Read in the article

1 Purpose of mini lathes
2 Operating principle
3 Varieties of table lathes
- 3.1 By wood
- 3.2 For metal
4 Leading manufacturers
5 Popular woodworking benchtop machines
- 5.1 Lathe Proma Dso-1000
- 5.2 Lathe HolzStar DB450
- 5.3 Mini lathe Enkor Corvette 71
- 5.4 Lathe Kraton WML-1000
6 Popular metalworking benchtop machines
- 6.1 JET BD-8A - lathe
- 6.2 MX-210V - table lathe
- 6.3 Lathe TRIOD LAMS-02/300
7 How to choose a desktop lathe: we take into account the types and purpose
- 7.1 For car repair
- 7.2 For household needs
- 7.3 For the production of watch movements
8 Operation and maintenance

Purpose of mini lathes

Such equipment is designed to work with small-sized workpieces. Most often on desktop lathes bodies of revolution are processed: cylinders, spheres, cones and much more. With the correct selection of cutting tools, the equipment allows you to:

drill a hole;
carve a groove;
cut threads;
trim the butt;
shape or level the surface.

Attention! The capabilities of a particular model directly depend on its design.

The list of operations performed on bench lathes may vary

Operating principle

To choose a suitable desktop lathe, you need to be well versed in its structure and principle of operation. Such equipment differs from full-size counterparts exclusively in size. The main element of the unit is the frame, on which the main units and elements are attached. It allows you to fix the device in the desired spatial position. There is also a hole in the bed that is used to mount a benchtop lathe on a supporting surface.

The capabilities of table-top lathes depend on the configuration

A support is used to attach the cutting tool. It provides a predetermined movement of the cutter, drill or other tool relative to the workpiece being processed. The movement is transmitted to the caliper from the shaft and transmission devices.

The workpiece itself is fixed in the spindle, the torque to which comes from the electric motor. The spatial position of long products is ensured by a rear rack with a special center. Its movement and fixation is provided by a lever mechanism. Fine tuning is not available on every model of bench-top lathes.

The configuration of the cutting tool is determined by the operation being performed

In the process of work of a table lathe, a securely fixed workpiece rotates about its axis. The cutter at this time is shifted in the longitudinal or transverse direction, cutting off a given amount of material from the workpiece. As a result, a surface of the desired configuration is formed.

Varieties of table lathes

The design of a table-top lathe directly depends on the type of material to be processed with it. Before giving preference to a particular model, it is worth determining the purpose of the purchase.

Each model of a table lathe has its own purpose.

By wood

Tabletop wood lathes are able to perform a basic set of operations. Depending on the list of specialized operations, it is customary to divide them into:

turning and milling, allowing to perform surface treatment and form grooves;
lathe screw. Used for threading and tapering workpieces;
units with CNC. Such table-top wood lathes work according to a predetermined program.

Attention! In desktop wood lathes, the cutting tool is fed manually. In the tool holder, it is contained only on copying units.

For metal

Table metal lathes are divided into:

revolving. This type is distinguished by the characteristic way of installing the cutting tool. It is mounted in a special drum, which allows processing the workpiece without rebuilding the equipment;
multi-spindle. Allows you to process workpieces with different cross-sectional sizes;
CNC units. Such equipment is controlled by a specialized computer system, which significantly speeds up the execution of operations and improves their quality;
screw cutters. Allows you to perform an extended list of operations.

Leading manufacturers

The accuracy and functionality of bench-top lathes depends on their type and manufacturer. The active introduction of modern technologies and adherence to technological requirements in the production process ensures high accuracy of equipment and a long service life. These companies include:

JET. The Swiss manufacturer has been a market leader for half a century. Its products are in steady consumer demand. Although individual units are manufactured in China, all table-top lathes of this company are attracted by their ease of use, reliability, accuracy and high efficiency;
PROMA. The Czech manufacturer has been on the market for over two decades, but its products are invariably in demand among consumers;
Anchor. The Russian company offers high-quality desktop equipment with wide functionality;
OPTIMUM. The equipment of this brand is in steady demand among European manufacturers. His catalog contains models with a CNC system.

Many manufacturers have quality bench-top lathes

Popular woodworking benchtop machines

With a large assortment of desktop lathes, individual models for woodworking are especially in demand among buyers. They attract with their reliability, precision and high build quality. We offer you to get acquainted with an overview of individual devices, if you still have not decided which model is best to choose for your home.

Wood processing has its own characteristics

Lathe Proma Dso-1000

A popular model from a Czech manufacturer. It can be used to perform a whole range of technological operations. It can be used for the manufacture of hard and soft wood products with cylindrical, conical and shaped surfaces. The presence of copying equipment and special tools simplifies the work.

The workpiece is fixed in the chuck. Has a power of 0.4 kW. Step regulation of the spindle speed. The minimum frequency is 850 rpm - at the maximum 2510. Allows you to process workpieces of one meter. The benchtop lathe weighs 35 kg.

~~Lathe Proma Dso-1000~~

Lathe HolzStar DB450

Popular model made in China. Has a well thought-out design. The cast iron bed dampens unwanted vibration during work with the workpiece and increases the accuracy of processing wood products. Has a power of 0.37 kW. Allows you to adjust the spindle speed in the range of 500 - 3150 rpm, depending on the type of wood being processed.

As standard, the maximum workpiece length is 45 cm. With additional equipment, this parameter can be increased to 1 m. The model weighs 38 kg.

~~Lathe HolzStar DB450~~

Mini lathe Enkor Corvette 71

Compact functional mini-model of domestic production. It attracts with its small size and functionality. Has a power of 0.37 kW. Weighs 38 kg. The spindle speed fluctuates in the range of 760 - 3200 rpm thanks to the belt drive. The model is equipped with bolts for fixing to the working surface and keys for adjusting the spindle speed. Can be used to process wood blocks up to 42 cm long. The cast iron bed improves precision by damping vibration during machining.

Enkor Corvette 71 - compactness and functionality

Review of the Corvette 71 model:
Read more on otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_6936486.html

Lathe Kraton WML-1000

Suitable for home use and work in small workshops. Can be used for turning workpieces up to 350 mm long. It has four rotational speeds to select the appropriate processing mode depending on the hardness of the wood. The bed has sufficient rigidity and strength. For ease of transportation, it is collapsible. Power 350 W.

~~Lathe Kraton WML-1000~~

Popular metalworking benchtop machines

The accuracy of metalworking directly depends on the characteristics of the equipment used. We offer you to get acquainted with individual models of desktop lathes that have earned particular popularity among consumers. Such devices are distinguished by high processing quality and efficiency during operation.

Suitable equipment is selected for metalworking

JET BD-8A - lathe

A high-tech model in which the longitudinal and transverse feeds are automated. It is completed with a reversible electric drive. Allows you to quickly rearrange the spindle head. Allows simultaneous installation of four cutting tools. The three-jaw chuck is equipped with a transparent plastic protection.

Unit power 1.3 kW. Allows you to smoothly change the spindle speed from 100 to 2000 rpm. Weighs 94 kg.

~~JET BD-8A - lathe~~

MX-210V - table lathe

A versatile model suitable for machining non-ferrous alloys. Steel workpieces with cross dimensions up to 20 mm can be processed gently. Has a cast iron bed. Equipped with 750 W brushless motor. There is a smooth speed control in two ranges with digital speed indication. The gears of the guitar are made of metal, which significantly increases the life of the equipment. Can be used for cutting metric and inch threads.

Lathe TRIOD LAMS-02/300

Modern model, powered by 220 V. Consumes 300 watts. Allows you to adjust the spindle speed in the range of 0 - 2500 rpm. Distance between centers is 300 mm. Over bed turning diameter 180 mm. Can be used for cutting metric and inch threads. With dimensions of 760 × 310 × 320 mm, it weighs 38 kg.

Feedback on the TRIOD LAMS-02/300 model:
Read more on otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_5063491.html

How to choose a desktop lathe: we take into account the types and purpose

Due to the wide variety of table-top lathes, you need to know how to choose the right model from the available types. Most often, attention is paid to the purpose of the purchase and the capabilities of a particular device. We offer you to get acquainted with the recommendations that will help you make the right choice.

Installation site is one of the selection criteria

For car repair

When choosing equipment for car repair, you should pay attention to:

connection method. The technical equipment of the garage must allow the machine to be powered;
the voltage from which the model operates;
dimensions. The choice depends on the available free space;
maximum and minimum parameters of the workpiece that can be processed on it;
lack of backlash.

Advice! For a garage, it is worth purchasing a universal model that can handle all types of metals.

For household needs

When choosing a desktop lathe, one should proceed from what materials are planned to be processed with it, the availability of free space and financial capabilities. Manufacturers offer universal models that can be used not only for processing wood, metal, but also plastic. However, in this case, processing a large steel workpiece will not work due to significant size restrictions.

For the production of watch movements

Such machines are miniature in size. Used to make small metal parts. Having decided to choose the appropriate option, pay attention to the T-65, S-95, T-28.

Operation and maintenance

In order for the selected benchtop lathe to serve as long as possible, the recommendations of the manufacturers should be adhered to during its operation. In the most general case, it follows:

remove small chips from the surface of the device immediately after completion of work, as well as any dust and dirt;
timely lubricate the guides with machine oil;
change the oil in the box within the terms set by the manufacturer;
check the condition of the electrical wiring and the motor before each start of the machine.

Compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations for machine maintenance is mandatory

Share in the comments if you have ever used a desktop lathe, which model did you work on and why you decided to choose just such equipment.

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