Lathe Showdown Comparison: WEN vs Mophorn vs JET

Hey there! Looking to get into woodworking or looking to upgrade your current wood lathe? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve got three fantastic options for you to consider. In this article, we’ll be comparing and reviewing the WEN LA3424 4.5-Amp 12-Inch by 18-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe, the Mophorn Wood Lathe 14″ x 40″, Power Wood Turning Lathe, and the JET JWL-1221VS, 12″ x 21″ Wood Lathe. So, get ready to find the perfect lathe for your woodworking needs!

Wood lathes have been a staple in woodworking shops for centuries. They allow you to shape and carve wood into various intricate designs, from bowls and vases to chair legs and table legs. These machines have come a long way since their humble beginnings, with new features and improvements being added over time. Owning a wood lathe opens up a world of possibilities for your woodworking projects, giving you the ability to create unique, personalized pieces that will impress anyone who sees them.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these wood lathes in our lineup. We’ll explore their key features, specifications, and what sets them apart from one another. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned woodworker, we’re here to help you make an informed decision and find the perfect wood lathe to bring your woodworking dreams to life. So, let’s get started and find the lathe that suits your needs and budget.

The WEN LA3424 4.5-Amp 12-Inch by 18-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe is a versatile tool designed for woodworking enthusiasts and professionals alike. This wood lathe is perfect for shaping and turning wooden logs into artistic and functional pieces such as bowls, vases, and spindles.

One of the standout features of the WEN LA3424 wood lathe is its powerful 4.5-amp motor, which ensures smooth and efficient operation. The 5-speed settings allow you to adjust the speed according to the type of wood and project you are working on, providing optimal precision and control.

The primary purpose of the WEN LA3424 wood lathe is to assist woodturners in creating intricate and detailed wooden objects. Whether you are a hobbyist or a professional woodworker, this lathe offers versatility and durability to meet your needs. Its key features include:

• 12-inch swing capacity: The lathe can accommodate logs up to 12 inches in diameter, allowing you to work with a variety of wood sizes.
• 18-inch between centers: With a generous 18-inch distance between centers, you have ample space to work on longer pieces without limitations.
• Sturdy construction: The lathe is made of heavy-duty cast iron, providing stability and minimizing vibrations during operation for accurate and precise turning.
• Tailstock and headstock: The tailstock and headstock are easily adjustable, allowing for quick and precise alignment when working on different projects.
• Easy speed adjustment: The lathe features a convenient dial that allows you to choose between five different speeds, ranging from 520 to 3,400 rotations per minute (RPM). This flexibility enables you to tailor the speed to the specific requirements of your project.

The WEN LA3424 wood lathe boasts exceptional build quality and performance that not only meets but surpasses expectations. Crafted from robust materials such as durable cast iron, this lathe provides stability and durability. Its powerful motor ensures smooth operation, while the easy speed adjustment allows for precise control over turning speeds.

1. Versatility: The WEN LA3424 wood lathe can handle a wide range of woodworking projects, thanks to its generous swing capacity and between centers distance.

2. Easy to use: The lathe’s straightforward design and intuitive controls make it suitable for beginners and experienced woodturners alike.

3. Sturdy construction: The heavy-duty cast iron construction of the lathe ensures stability and minimizes vibrations, resulting in superior turning accuracy.

4. Adjustable speed: The five-speed settings provide flexibility to adapt to different wood types and project requirements.

5. Great value for money: Considering its features and performance, the WEN LA3424 wood lathe offers excellent value for the price.

6. Limited swing capacity: While the 12-inch swing capacity is suitable for most projects, some woodturners may require a larger capacity for bigger projects.

7. Inconsistent alignment: Some users have reported minor issues with aligning the tailstock and headstock, requiring additional adjustments.

The WEN LA3424 4.5-Amp 12-Inch by 18-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe is a top contender in the wood lathe market. Its versatility, sturdy construction, and adjustable speed settings make it a reliable and efficient tool for any woodturning project. Although it may have a few minor drawbacks, the WEN LA3424 wood lathe offers great value for money, making it an excellent investment for both beginners and seasoned woodworkers.

The Mophorn Wood Lathe 14″ x 40″ is designed for high-speed sanding and polishing of finished woodwork. It is perfect for both professional woodworkers and hobbyists who want to enhance the smoothness and overall appearance of their projects. With its 1/2 horsepower motor and 4 adjustable speeds, this wood lathe offers versatility and precision for a wide range of woodworking tasks.

We are impressed with the power and performance of the Mophorn Wood Lathe. The 1/2 horsepower motor is not only powerful but also starts softly, ensuring maximum safety and low noise during operation. This makes it ideal for use in home workshops or other noise-sensitive environments. The adjustable belts allow for easy and accurate speed adjustments within the range of 1100 to 3400 RPM, providing the flexibility needed for different woodworking applications.

The Mophorn Wood Lathe is designed to provide woodworkers with a reliable tool for high-speed sanding and polishing of finished work. Its key features make it stand out in the market:

1. 1/2 Horsepower Motor: With its powerful motor, this wood lathe offers the necessary strength to handle a variety of woodworking projects.

2. 4 Grade Speeds: The adjustable belts allow for easy speed adjustments within the range of 1100 to 3400 RPM. This provides woodworkers with the flexibility needed to work with different materials and achieve desired results.

3. Large Work Capacity: The Mophorn Wood Lathe has a 40″ distance between centers and a cutting diameter of 14″. This ample work capacity allows for the turning and shaping of larger workpieces.

4. High Concentricity: The solid steel construction of this wood lathe ensures high concentricity, reducing vibration and providing stability during operation. This results in smoother and more accurate woodworking.

5. Moving Tailstock: The tailstock can be easily moved to adjust the proper distance for workpieces, allowing for precise and controlled turning.

6. Solid Steel Construction: The Mophorn Wood Lathe is constructed from solid steel, ensuring durability and strength. This robust construction provides increased stability and smooth operation, reducing vibrations that can affect the quality of the finished work.

7. Wrenches & Chisels: The wood lathe comes with 3 wrenches for easy maintenance and use. Additionally, it includes 3 chisels: 1 x Skew Chisel, 1 x Shear Scraper, and 1 x Spindle Gouge. These chisels provide woodworkers with the necessary tools for shaping and refining their projects.

The overall quality of the Mophorn Wood Lathe is outstanding. The solid steel construction ensures durability and stability, allowing for precise and smooth operation. The 1/2 horsepower motor provides ample power for a variety of woodworking tasks, while the adjustable speeds offer flexibility and versatility. The inclusion of wrenches and chisels further adds value to this wood lathe, providing woodworkers with the essential tools needed for their projects.

Pros:

• Powerful 1/2 horsepower motor for efficient and reliable performance.
• Soft start feature for maximum safety and low noise operation.
• Adjustable speeds within the range of 1100 to 3400 RPM for flexibility.
• Ample work capacity with a 40″ distance between centers and a cutting diameter of 14″.
• Solid steel construction for durability, stability, and reduced vibrations.
• Moving tailstock for precise distance adjustments.
• Includes 3 chisels and 3 wrenches for convenience and versatility.

Cons:

• May be too large and powerful for beginner woodworkers or those with limited space.
• Some users may find the adjustment of the belts and speeds initially confusing.

The Mophorn Wood Lathe 14″ x 40″ is a reliable and high-quality tool for woodworkers who want to achieve smooth and polished finishes on their workpieces. With its powerful motor, adjustable speeds, and solid steel construction, it offers the versatility and precision needed for a variety of woodworking tasks.

If you are a woodworking enthusiast or a professional looking to enhance your craft, the JET JWL-1221VS Wood Lathe is the perfect tool for you. With its impressive performance and versatile features, this wood lathe is designed to handle a wide range of turning projects, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced users.

There are several reasons why we love the JET JWL-1221VS Wood Lathe. Firstly, its variable speed control allows you to adjust the turning speed to match the specific requirements of your woodworking project. This feature ensures precision and accuracy, resulting in beautifully finished products.

Additionally, the JET JWL-1221VS offers an impressive swing capacity of 12 inches and a distance between centers of 21 inches. This ample space allows you to work on larger and more complex pieces with ease.

Moreover, this wood lathe comes equipped with a 1Ph 115V motor, providing smooth and efficient operation. The powerful motor allows you to tackle even the toughest materials without compromising on performance.

The JET JWL-1221VS also boasts a robust build quality, thanks to its cast iron construction. This sturdy design not only ensures durability but also minimizes vibration, providing a stable and comfortable working experience.

The JET JWL-1221VS Wood Lathe is specifically designed to meet the various needs of woodturning projects. Whether you want to create intricate wood designs or turn large bowls and platters, this lathe has got you covered.

One of the standout features of this wood lathe is its variable speed control. With a range of 60 to 3600 RPM, you have the flexibility to choose the optimal speed for different materials and turning techniques. This level of control ensures cleaner cuts and reduces the risk of tear-out, allowing you to achieve professional-level results.

The JET JWL-1221VS also features an indexing mechanism, which allows for accurate and precise positioning of the workpiece. This feature is especially useful when working on projects that require multiple identical cuts or decorative patterns.

Additionally, this wood lathe comes with an innovative ratchet-style belt tension system. This system enables quick and easy speed changes, eliminating the hassle of manually shifting belts and saving you valuable time during your woodworking projects.

The JET JWL-1221VS Wood Lathe exudes quality in every aspect. From its solid construction to its powerful motor and thoughtful design features, this lathe is built to deliver exceptional results for years to come.

The cast iron construction ensures stability and minimizes vibration, allowing for precise and smooth operation. The variable speed control and indexing mechanism further enhance the precision and versatility of this lathe, making it a reliable tool for even the most intricate woodturning projects.

Pros:

• Variable speed control for customizable turning speed
• Ample swing capacity and distance between centers for working on larger pieces
• Powerful 1Ph 115V motor for efficient performance
• Sturdy cast iron construction for stability and durability
• Indexing mechanism for accurate positioning of workpiece
• Ratchet-style belt tension system for quick and easy speed changes

Cons:

• Relatively higher price compared to other wood lathes in the market
• Limited accessories included in the package

In the world of wood lathes, the JET JWL-1221VS Wood Lathe stands out as a top contender. Its impressive combination of features, versatility, and solid construction make it a worthwhile investment for woodturning enthusiasts and professionals alike. With this lathe in your workshop, you can unlock your creativity and take your woodworking projects to new heights.

Comparison of Specifications:

WEN LA3424 4.5-Amp 12-Inch by 18-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe

• Horse Power Motor: 4.5-Amp motor
• Voltage: Not specified
• Speeds: 5-speeds adjustable from 520 to 3420 RPM
• Work Capacity: 18″ (457mm) distance between centers, 12″ (305mm) maximum cutting diameter
• Construction: Not specified
• Included Accessories: None mentioned

Mophorn Wood Lathe 14″ x 40″, Power Wood Turning Lathe 1/2HP 4 Speed 1100/1600/2300/3400RPM

• Horse Power Motor: 1/2 Horse Power motor
• Voltage: 110V
• Speeds: 4-speeds adjustable at 1100, 1600, 2300, and 3400 RPM
• Work Capacity: 40″ (1000mm) distance between centers, 14″ (350mm) maximum cutting diameter
• Construction: Solid steel construction
• Included Accessories: 3 chisels provided – 1 x Skew Chisel, 1 x Shear Scraper, and 1 x Spindle Gouge

JET JWL-1221VS, 12″ x 21″ Wood Lathe, Variable Speed, 1Ph 115V (719200)

• Horse Power Motor: Not specified
• Voltage: 115V
• Speeds: Variable speed control
• Work Capacity: 21″ (533mm) distance between centers, 12″ (305mm) maximum cutting diameter
• Construction: Not specified
• Included Accessories: None mentioned

Comparison Table:

This table provides a side-by-side comparison of the specifications of each product for easy visualization and comparison.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have reviewed three wood lathe products: the WEN LA3424 4.5-Amp 12-Inch by 18-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe, the Mophorn Wood Lathe 14″ x 40″, and the JET JWL-1221VS, 12″ x 21″ Wood Lathe.

WEN LA3424 4.5-Amp 12-Inch by 18-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe

The WEN LA3424 is a reliable and affordable option for beginners or hobbyists. It offers five different speed settings and a compact benchtop design. However, the motor power may be lacking for heavy-duty projects.

Mophorn Wood Lathe 14″ x 40″, Power Wood Turning Lathe 1/2HP 4 Speed 1100/1600/2300/3400RPM

The Mophorn Wood Lathe is a powerful tool suitable for both beginners and more experienced woodworkers. It offers four speed options and a larger turning capacity. However, some users have reported issues with the build quality and durability of this lathe.

JET JWL-1221VS, 12″ x 21″ Wood Lathe, Variable Speed, 1Ph 115V (719200)

The JET JWL-1221VS is a high-quality wood lathe suitable for professional woodworkers. It offers variable speed control, a sturdy build, and precise results. However, its premium features come at a higher price point.

Overall, if you are a beginner or a hobbyist looking for a budget-friendly option, the WEN LA3424 would be a suitable choice. If you require more power and have a larger budget, the Mophorn Wood Lathe could be a good option, although there may be some durability concerns. For professional woodworkers who value precision and performance, the JET JWL-1221VS is highly recommended.

Make sure to consider your skill level, budget, and specific project requirements before making a final decision. Happy woodworking!