SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe Review
SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe is an ideal lathe for turning pens and other small projects. It is a bench-top wood lathe that is made from heavy-duty cast iron construction for a lifetime of use.
Visit Website
Any hobby machinist worth his salt should have his own mini lathe. This is a versatile machine for turning out all kinds of projects using metal or wood stock. It is a generally easy to use machine and should be extremely durable to handle the projects that are done on it. With care and constant practice with your own machine, you’ll be turning out great and consistent products in no time. We searched the market for mini lathes and found the SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe.
Features of the SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe:
- Variable speed motor
- Cast-iron construction
- Bench-top wood lathe
- 8-Inch swing over bed
- Weighs 45-Pounds
- Safety paddle switch
- Comes with tool rest, live rolling center, spur center and 3-Inch face plate
- Full 2-year warranty
The SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe is an ideal lathe for turning pens and other small projects. It is a bench-top wood lathe that is made from heavy-duty cast iron construction for a lifetime of use. It has a motor with variable speed control that offers optimal control for precision demanding operations. It is a bench-top style wood lathe for stability, with an 8-inch swing over bed to handle stock of that size. This mini lathe weighs 45 pounds so keep it on a semi-permanent to permanent spot so you don’t have to keep moving it.
This benchtop lathe also comes with a safety paddle switch for easy powering off whenever you need it. It comes complete with a tool rest, a live rolling center, a spur center and a 3-Inch face plate. Finally, the full 2-year warranty for this machine is great for your peace of mind.
Rave reviews for the SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe:
I had a larger, non-VS lathe and decided to add something with variable speed just for pens. This lathe is just the ticket. It is small, but has more than enough power to handle the task. With speed changes by turning a knob rather than moving a belt around, the process goes much more smoothly also. To make it a “dream machine”, change the Tapers from MT1 to MT2, simply because there are pen making goodies for MT2. – blindturner
Reviews edited for size, click here for the full review
This is a well built machine with very few plastic parts. It’s heavy for its size and ideal for turning small pieces. The variable speed feature is very nice and has a good speed range. It is short on power and tends to stall rather easily at low speed but holds its own when you get a good balance and can crank up the speed. It comes with a good manual and all the tools and attachments you need, except a chuck. – Jack
Reviews edited for size, click here for the full review
The SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe is a durable, stable and versatile benchtop lathe. Its cast iron construction is great for stability and minimizing the vibrations of the motor for a smooth and precise operation. We especially like that you can change speeds by turning a knob instead of fiddling with the belt. This machine is recommended for the machine hobbyist and for turning small pieces.
You can find the SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe in most hardware stores nationwide. For your convenience, you might want to buy it online. Amazon has several great deals on price and sometimes even offers free shipping, try it here.
If you would like to read more on what other consumers have to say on the SHOP FOX Benchtop Lathe, you can try here.

There are no comments yet, add one below.