Best Metal Lathe Under 500$ 2024

(Last Updated On: November 24, 2023)

A lathe machine is used for various purposes. However, its main purpose is to shape an object. That object can be metal, wood, plastic, aluminum, steel, etc. It is capable of shaping a large variety of materials.

That is because of its efficient rotators that hold the workpiece in place, while the tools cut the unwanted part. After the work is done, what you get is a fine symmetric piece of your object. You can also get different creative designs on an object with the help of a lathe. A lathe machine is much more efficient for shaping as compared to other cutting tools.

Another common use of a lathe is for drilling. You can use a lathe machine to drill a hole in an object. And, it does it better than other tools too. What you need to do is to hold the workpiece between the centers. The built-in tools of lathe would do the rest.

If you drill manually or use some other tool, it would cost you more time and would require more effort. To avoid that, a lathe is an effective machine that is capable of drilling without breaking a sweat. We have compiled some of the best metal lathes under 500$ in the article. We suggest you have a look at them.

A lathe machine is also commonly used for boring and pipe making. You can say that boring is a job like drilling. However, it requires more depth of cutting. But worry not, lathe machines are capable of doing that accurately. Pipe making can be done as it is a part of reshaping a metal. And as mentioned earlier, lathes are best for shaping an object.

Many people use lathes for professional purposes on a smaller and large scale as well. Pipe making is one of the most popular jobs. Also, they are quite common for DYI projects. Lathe machines can be used for DYI home projects, science projects, school projects, and technological equipment.

A lathe machine has a number of types. The use of a lathe machine depends on its type. Professional job fields like a metal workshop use metal lathes. These lathes are harder and are equipped with sharper tools. That is because they work with harder materials.

Metal lathes are used for cutting, shaping, or rotating a metal or steel object. The metal lathes are usually equipped with more advanced features than other lathes. That is because metals require more work power and advanced options as well.

Another type of lathe machine is the woodworking lathe. They are mostly used for smaller purposes. Jobs like cutting a block of wood, drilling a hole in it, or shaping it are masterfully done by a wood lathe. However, they have a limitation that they do not have many features. They only contain the basic and essential options.

That is because wood does not require any advanced features and can be easily dealt with. Although some wood lathes are also capable of cutting soft metals like copper, they do not deal with hard metals. For proper metalworking, a metal lathe is recommended.

As useful as a metal lathe sounds, it can be quite difficult to buy the right one. Mainly because of their availability in the market. While on one hand, it is a benefit that they are more accessible, on the other hand, it is also a down point.

Best Metal Lathe Under 500$ (Comparison)

Name	Dimensions	Weight
CJC Mini Lathe	13.78 x 10.63 x 8.66 inches	7.7 Pounds	Check Price
JECTSE Mini Lathe	13.78 x 10.24 x 8.66 inches	10.08 Pounds	Check Price
Acogedor Mini Metal Lathe	13.78 x 10.24 x 8.66 inches	9.9 Pounds	Check Price

 

CJC DC 12V 24W Mini Lathe

If you are looking for a metal lathe machine that is small in size but does the job well, then CJC CNC Metal Motorized Mini Lathe Machine is best. It is a reliable machine that is equipped with all the necessary features.

It provides efficient working with metals, both hard and soft. One of the main advantages it carries is its small size. Its compact size and lightweight allows it to be carried or transported around with ease. The lightweight also makes it portable and easy to handle.

This mini-sized lathe machine, however, does the job with precision and provides stable results. Along with hard and soft metals, it can also deal with wood (softwood and hardwood) and plastic. Since it is a metal lathe, it can do jobs, related to wood with ease. You can process various materials without breaking a sweat as the machine is efficient. It always provides the expected results. The best use of the machine is for arbitrary shaping.

When working with a lathe, shaping is one of the most important uses and this lathe machine does it perfectly. Whether you have a metal or wood piece on your hand, you can give it the desired shape. Or you can make it’s shaping symmetric to suit your needs.

The machine works at a speed of up to 2000 RPM (Rotations per minute). It is a high speed machine because of its powerful motor. The three-jaw chuck allows camping the workpiece within 1-6mm. The distance between the centers is 135mm. It means that an object within this range can be processed by the lathe.

The center gongs high up to 25mm. It has a full metal body that provides extra protection. The durable body of the lathe prevents damages to inner parts. It allows the lathe to last longer than many other machines in the market.

The diameter range of the lathe can be further expanded up to 50mm, providing extra space for large workpieces. It is perfect for small projects and some advanced projects as well. Home DIY is one of the most common use of this lathe, due to its small size and the availability of the basic features.

Pros	Cons
Simple and portable design	Efficient for cutting and shaping
Tough body	Only suitable for small works
Efficient for cutting and shaping

Conclusion:

For DIY home projects or small-scale work, CNC Metal Motorized Mini Lathe Machine is perfect. It is equipped with all the necessary options and tools that make it suitable for beginners as well. The portability is the main factor of the machine as it is small in size and can be easily moved around. The durable body keeps it safe from damages.

Its working area is also good enough, considering its size. The high speed machine allows it to work faster than most of its competitors. Perfect for cutting, shaping, and other purposes, this lathe machine might be the right option.

 

 

Jectse Mini Lathe Tool Kit

For powerful and efficient work, Mini Lathe Tool Kit is perfectly suitable. It has a powerful motor that does the work way faster than most of its competitors. The motor works at the speed of up to 12000 RPM. It is able to cut or reshape a material easier and faster. The effective components of the machine are protected by its metal body.

All the parts are made up of metal material, which prevents them from any kind of damage. Also, the belt cover adds another protection layer to the lathe machine. It makes the lathe more durable, making it last longer. The parts are arranged in a conjoined structure. The distance between the centers is 135mm, while the height is 75mm. The maximum power its motor can reach is 60W. It is much more as compared to most of the other lathe machines.

This mini lathe machine comes with a high turning tool. It packs all the features that are necessary for effective lathe processes, such as cutting, shaping, or turning, etc. No matter the nature of the job, if it lies in the working range of this lathe machine, it will do it efficiently. One of the main highlights of the machine is its design. All the components are connected in such a way that they all are visible. And yet, the design looks simple and clean.

This factor makes the lathe machine easy to use for beginners and experienced users as well. Its compact design also distinguishes it from other lathe machines in the market. Providing ease of access to all of its options, the machine can be easily mastered with a little practice. It comes with a manual that provides all the instructions that are vital to understand the working of the machine. Moreover, it comes with the necessary accessories as well. Even with all of its accessories, the lathe machine is still available at an affordable price.

Pros	Cons
Extra protection with belt layer	Limited in terms of features
Unique design, durable	Good but not ideal for advanced projects
Portable

Conclusion:

Cheap and feature-rich, Mini Lathe Tool Kit is a machine that is best suitable for small works. It is also good for DYI projects that are related to home, school, etc. The simple design makes it easy to understand, while its easy to use features are suitable for newbies. The main highlight of the lathe machine, however, is the powerful motor. It works at 12000 RPM and at 60W.

The distance between the centers allows working on a small object and even some large ones as well. Able to cut wood and metal, this lathe machine works efficiently on a variety of objects. With all of its features, it is safe to say that this lathe machine has capabilities that are unmatched by any other lathe machine in the market. Not to forget, it also fulfills the price requirement as well.

 

 

Acogedor Mini Metal Lathe

The compact design and the availability of features is one of the most common demands that user make when buying a lathe. Acogedor Mini Metal Lathe fulfills all of them. It can process soft as well as hard metals. Other materials like plastic, wood, etc. can also be dealt well with the lathe. Its main benefit might be the design.

The compact design packs all the necessary features. Other than just a small size, it is also lightweight as compared to other lathe machines. It is easy to carry around, which adds up to the portability factor of the lathe. Being a metal lathe machine, it is able to do a number of purposes. That may include drilling, turning, sandling, sawing, etc.

If you have got a soft or hard material on your hand, there is no need to worry as it can easily deal with such materials. With a center distance of 135mm, it is capable of dealing with objects that have a medium size. It is mostly used for smaller works.

However, even some advanced projects can be done as well. With a powerful 1200 RPM motor equipped, it processes faster and does the job more efficiently than most other lathes. The motor is probably is main highlight as it provides way faster work done. The speedy process saves a lot of time of users.

Pros	Cons
Easy to use with powerful motor	Not equipped with advanced features
Efficient for small works
Has a durable body

Conclusion:

If you are looking for a compact metal lathe, there is no need to look further than acogedor mini metal lathe. It works flawlessly with all of its essential features. The metal body provides extra durability, while the small size provides portability. The motor might be the main plus point as it is faster and gets the job done efficiently. Overall, it is one of the best options in the market and definitely deserves a spot on our list.

 

 

Final Verdict:

Although there are certain features that must be considered before buying a metal lathe, buying one can still be very much difficult. That is because of the tons of options available in the market. Which makes it very difficult to choose the right one, especially for beginners. To help you out with that, we prepared a list of the best metal lathe under 500$. It will help you pick the best one out for yourself. Also, the list will provide a clearer picture, considering all the pros, cons, and features of each lathe.

 

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