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The best lathe for pen turning is usually a small one. Pen blanks are under an inch thick and a few inches long, so you do not need big swing or horsepower. You need a headstock that takes a standard pen mandrel, enough speed to cut cleanly, easy speed changes and a stable bed.
That makes the choice simpler than it looks, but there are traps: some budget minis use MT1 tapers that will not take the common MT2 mandrels, and some start too fast for anything else you may want to turn. Below are six lathes from JET, NOVA, RIKON, Laguna and WEN, with the specs that matter for pens.
Our top picks at a glance
JET JWL-1015VS 10 in. x 15 in. Variable Speed Wood LatheCheck priceBest Electronic Speed Control
NOVA Comet II DR Midi LatheCheck priceBest Budget Pen Bundle
WEN 3.2-Amp 8-Inch by 13-Inch Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe and Pen Press with Adjustable Assembly Rod (LA3421, LA3040)Check priceQuick picks
- Best Overall for Pens: JET JWL-1015VS. Best for a true mini with MT2 tapers, 3,600 RPM and a five-year warranty.
- Best Electronic Speed Control: NOVA Comet II DR. Best for dialing speed from 250 to 4,000 RPM with no belt changes.
- Best Value 10-Inch: RIKON 70-105. Best for an 18-inch bed and MT2 tapers at a value price.
- Best Budget Pen Bundle: WEN LA3421 + LA3040 Pen Press. Best for trying pen turning with a press included.
- Best Compact Cast-Iron Mini: Laguna Revo 10|14. Best for a heavier mini with a 1 HP motor.
- Best for Pens and Bowls: JET JWL-1221VS. Best if pens are your start, not your only project.
Comparison table
| Lathe | Best for | Swing x centers | Speed range | Speed change | Tapers | Spindle thread | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JET JWL-1015VS | Overall | 10 x 15-1/2 in. | 200–3,600 RPM | Variable in 3 belt ranges | MT2 / MT2 | See manual | Check price |
| NOVA Comet II DR | Electronic speed | 12 x 16-1/2 in. | 250–4,000 RPM | Electronic, with reverse | MT2 tailstock | 1 in. x 8 TPI | Check price |
| RIKON 70-105 | Value | 10 x 18 in. | 500–3,200 RPM | 5 belt steps | MT2 / MT2 | 1 in. x 8 TPI | See options |
| WEN LA3421 + pen press | Budget bundle | 8 x 13 in. | 750–3,200 RPM | Dial variable | MT1 / MT1 | 1 in. x 8 TPI accessories | Check price |
| Laguna Revo 10|14 | Compact cast iron | 10 x 14 in. | 250–3,200 RPM | Variable in 3 ranges | MT2 | 1 in. x 8 TPI | Check price |
| JET JWL-1221VS | Pens and bowls | 12-1/2 x 20-1/2 in. | 60–3,600 RPM | Variable in 3 ranges, reverse | MT2 / MT2 | 1 in. x 8 TPI | Check price |
Which of these lathes fit your work?
Enter a size to filter the table above. Tap a column heading to sort.
Diameter is checked against swing over the bed, which is the maximum; the practical limit over the banjo is smaller. Length is checked against distance between centers. Figures come from the table above, so a lathe with an unlisted spec stays visible.
The best lathes for pen turning, reviewed
1. JET JWL-1015VS: Best Overall for Pens
Who it's for: pen makers who want a small, well-supported lathe that takes every standard MT2 accessory.
The JWL-1015VS is built for exactly this kind of work. JET lists a 10-inch swing, 15-1/2 inches between centers and a 1/2 HP, 115V motor. Speed varies within three belt ranges, 200 to 1,050, 300 to 1,750 and 600 to 3,600 RPM, so the top range covers pen speeds and the low range leaves room for ornaments and small bowls.
Both the spindle and tailstock quill take MT2, so standard pen mandrels, mandrel savers and drill chucks fit without adapters. It has a cast iron bed, 24 indexing positions and JET's five-year warranty. The trade-off is a belt change between ranges, though for pen work you will spend most of your time in the top one.
Pros
- MT2 at both ends for standard pen accessories
- 3,600 RPM top speed
- Compact cast iron bed
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Belt changes between ranges
- Reverse not listed
- 1/2 HP limits larger work
JET JWL-1015VS 10 in. x 15 in. Variable Speed Wood Lathe
by JET
2. NOVA Comet II DR: Best Electronic Speed Control
Who it's for: pen turners who want to change speed with a dial and see it on a readout.
The Comet II DR has a 3/4 HP motor with electronic variable speed from 250 to 4,000 RPM, a digital readout and forward and reverse, per NOVA. Capacity is 12 inches over the bed and 16-1/2 inches between centers, and NOVA sells a bed extension that takes it to 42 inches.
For pens, the 4,000 RPM top speed and dial control are the draw: you can rough a square blank slowly and speed up as it rounds without stopping. The spindle is 1 in. x 8 TPI and the tailstock is a hollow MT2, handy for drilling through. Reverse helps when sanding barrels. Check whether the headstock taper suits your mandrel before ordering accessories.
Pros
- 250 to 4,000 RPM electronic speed
- Digital readout and reverse
- Hollow MT2 tailstock
- Bed extension available
Cons
- Higher price tier than other minis
- 250 RPM start limits large bowls
- Lighter than cast-heavy midis
3. RIKON 70-105: Best Value 10-Inch
Who it's for: budget-minded pen makers who still want MT2 tapers and a long bed.
RIKON's 70-105 has a 10-inch swing and 18 inches between centers, longer than most minis, with a 1/2 HP motor and five belt speeds from 500 to 3,200 RPM. It weighs 75 lb, uses MT2 tapers at both ends, has a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle and comes with a live center, tool rest and knockout bar. RIKON lists a five-year warranty and multiple bed extensions.
For pens, fixed belt speeds are less convenient than a dial, but 3,200 RPM is enough for pen blanks and the long bed makes room for long mandrels and drilling. Keep it to pens, spindles and small, balanced bowls.
Pros
- MT2 tapers at both ends
- 18 inches between centers
- Five-year warranty
- Bed extensions available
Cons
- Five fixed belt speeds, no dial
- 500 RPM start
- No reverse or readout
RIKON 70-105 10 in. x 18 in. Mini Lathe
by RIKON
Currently unavailable on Amazon
4. WEN LA3421 + LA3040 Pen Press: Best Budget Pen Bundle
Who it's for: anyone who wants to try pen turning with the lowest cost of entry.
WEN bundles its LA3421 mini lathe with the LA3040 pen press. The lathe has an 8-inch swing and 13 inches between centers (per WEN's current listing), a 3.2-amp soft-start motor and dial variable speed from 750 to 3,200 RPM, so there are no belts to move. It includes two tool rests, a small faceplate, a spur center, a cup center and a knockout rod. The press, with its adjustable assembly rod, pushes pen parts together squarely.
The catch is the taper: the LA3421 uses MT1, not MT2, so buy an MT1 pen mandrel or an adapter, and an MT1 drill chuck if you want to drill on the lathe. With that sorted, it is a capable pen and ornament lathe. WEN's warranty is two years.
Pros
- Lowest cost of entry
- Dial variable speed
- Pen press included
- Tiny footprint
Cons
- MT1 tapers need matching accessories
- 750 RPM start limits other projects
- Light for anything but small work
WEN 3.2-Amp 8-Inch by 13-Inch Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe and Pen Press with Adjustable Assembly Rod (LA3421, LA3040)
by WEN
5. Laguna Revo 10|14: Best Compact Cast-Iron Mini
Who it's for: pen and small-project turners who want a heavier mini with a bigger motor.
Laguna's smallest Revo has a 10-inch swing, 14 inches between centers and a 1 HP motor, with three speed ranges of 250 to 850, 430 to 1,450 and 950 to 3,200 RPM. Laguna lists a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle, an MT2 taper, a cast iron headstock, a self-ejecting tailstock quill and a 120V auxiliary outlet for an optional light. Net weight is 95 lb, which helps damp vibration.
Laguna's page does not mention reverse, though some retail titles do, so confirm if it matters to you. Laguna's warranty on new machines is two years.
Pros
- 1 HP motor in a mini
- 95 lb net weight
- Self-ejecting tailstock quill
- Outlet for a lathe light
Cons
- 14 inches between centers is the shortest here
- Reverse not confirmed on Laguna's page
- Two-year warranty
6. JET JWL-1221VS: Best for Pens and Bowls
Who it's for: turners starting with pens who already know they want to turn bowls too.
If pens are a starting point rather than the goal, buy once. The JWL-1221VS has a 12-1/2-inch swing, 20-1/2 inches between centers, a 1 HP motor and three ranges from 60 to 3,600 RPM, with reverse and a digital readout. MT2 tapers at both ends take the same mandrels as the 1015VS, and the 60 RPM start makes bowl blanks far safer.
It costs more and takes more bench space than a mini, but you will not outgrow it for years. JET's warranty is five years.
Pros
- Pen speeds plus a 60 RPM start for bowls
- Reverse and digital readout
- MT2 at both ends
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- More than you need for pens alone
- About 121 lb
- Belt changes between ranges
JET JWL-1221VS 12 in. x 21 in. Variable Speed Wood Lathe
by JET
Buying guide: choosing a pen turning lathe
Taper: MT2 first
Pen mandrels, mandrel savers, drill chucks and live centers are most common in MT2, the taper the AAW notes is most common on woodturning lathes. Most lathes here use MT2. The WEN LA3421 uses MT1, which is workable but limits your accessory choices. Check both the headstock and the tailstock.
Speed and speed control
Pen blanks are under 1 inch in diameter, where the AAW's spindle chart suggests about 3,000 RPM. Every lathe here reaches at least 3,200 RPM. Dial or electronic speed control (NOVA, WEN) is the most convenient; variable speed within belt ranges (JET, Laguna) is almost as easy because pens live in the top range. Fixed belt steps (RIKON 70-105) work but are the least flexible.
Distance between centers
A pen mandrel plus a live center, or a blank plus a drill chuck, needs room. The WEN LA3421's 13 inches is the shortest bed here, and WEN sells it bundled as a pen lathe; 15 to 18 inches gives more space for longer mandrels, drilling on the lathe and the occasional longer spindle. Measure your mandrel before you buy a very small lathe.
Tailstock pressure and alignment
Accurate pens depend on a straight mandrel. The AAW's alignment article says too much tailstock pressure bends the mandrel and makes oval barrels, so a smooth, positive tailstock lock and a good live center matter more than horsepower. A mandrel saver supports the mandrel's end without pushing on it.
What else you need
Budget for a mandrel and bushings, a drill bit for your kits, a barrel trimmer or squaring jig, glue, small turning tools, abrasives, finish and a pen press. Our woodturning pen kits guide covers kits and starter sets, and our wood lathe accessories guide covers centers and chucks.
Will you want to turn more than pens?
If bowls are in your future, buy a lathe with a low starting speed and more swing now. See our best lathe for bowl turning picks.
How we chose
We did not test these lathes ourselves. We compared the swing, distance between centers, speed range, speed control, tapers and warranty that JET, NOVA, RIKON, Laguna and WEN publish, cross-checked against retailer listings, and weighed them against what pen turning actually needs: MT2 compatibility, speed and a straight, stable setup.
FAQ
What size lathe do I need for pen turning?
Almost any lathe. Pen blanks are under an inch thick, so swing hardly matters; what matters is an MT2 headstock for standard pen mandrels (or an adapter), enough distance between centers for the mandrel, and a top speed of about 3,000 RPM or more. A 10-inch mini such as the JET JWL-1015VS is plenty.
What speed should I turn pens at?
Pen blanks are under 1 inch in diameter, and the AAW's spindle chart suggests about 3,000 RPM for stock 1 inch or less. Start slower while the blank is still square, increase once it is round, and slow down for sanding and finishing.
Can I turn pens on a WEN LA3421?
Yes. Its 750 to 3,200 RPM dial speed suits pen blanks. The catch is its MT1 tapers, so you need an MT1 pen mandrel or an adapter, and an MT1 drill chuck if you want to drill blanks on the lathe.
Do I need a lathe with variable speed for pens?
It helps. Electronic or dial variable speed lets you start slow and reach pen-turning speed without moving a belt. Belt lathes with variable ranges, such as the JET JWL-1015VS, work well too.
Is a midi lathe better than a mini for pens?
Not for pens alone. A midi such as the JET JWL-1221VS only pays off if you also plan to turn bowls, because its larger swing, lower starting speed and extra mass help with bowl blanks.
Verdict
The JET JWL-1015VS is the best lathe for pen turning for most people: MT2 at both ends, 3,600 RPM and a five-year warranty in a true mini. Pick the NOVA Comet II DR if you want dial speed control, or the WEN LA3421 bundle to try pen making on a small budget. Compare more small lathes in our mini wood lathe guide and our JET mini lathe comparison.