We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from Amazon at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Laguna's lathe line is all one family, the Revo, and it covers almost every size a home or pro turner could want: a 10-inch benchtop mini, a 12-inch benchtop midi, a 15-inch compact floor lathe and two big bowl lathes with 18- and 24-inch swings. What ties them together is a slow, controllable low end. Four of the five models start at 50 RPM, which is the spec that matters most when you mount an out-of-round bowl blank.
This Laguna lathe review compares all five current Revo models on the specs Laguna publishes: swing, distance between centers, motor, speed ranges, spindle thread and weight. If you are still deciding between brands, our best wood lathe guide puts the Revo 18|36 next to JET, RIKON and Powermatic.
Our top picks at a glance
Quick picks
- Best Laguna Mini: Revo 10|14. Best for pens, ornaments and small spindles on a budget.
- Best Benchtop Laguna: Revo 12|16. Best for small bowls with a 50 RPM low end on a bench.
- Best for Small Shops: Revo 15|24. Best for 15-inch bowls on 110V with a compact footprint.
- Best Overall Laguna: Revo 18|36. Best for serious bowl turners, in 110V or 220V.
- Best for Big Bowls: Revo 24|36 220V. Best for very large bowls, platters and outboard work.
Laguna Revo lathes compared
| Model | Swing over bed | Between centers | Motor | Speed ranges (RPM) | Spindle | Weight | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revo 10|14 | 10 in. | 14 in. | 1 HP | 250–850, 430–1,450, 950–3,200 | 1 in. x 8 TPI | 95 lb net | Check price |
| Revo 12|16 | 12-1/2 in. | 15-1/2 in. | 1 HP DC, PWM | 50–525, 325–1,750, 650–3,500 | 1 in. x 8 TPI | 118 lb net | Check price |
| Revo 15|24 | 15-1/2 in. | 24 in. | 1.5 HP DC, 110V, PWM | 50–650, 325–2,100, 650–4,200 | 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI | 288 lb net | Check price |
| Revo 18|36 | 18 in. | 36 in. | 1.5 HP 110V or 2 HP 220V, VFD | 50–1,300, 135–3,500 | 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI | 427 lb net | Check price |
| Revo 24|36 | 24 in. | 36 in. | 3 HP 220V, VFD | 50–1,300, 135–3,500 | 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI | 610 lb shipping | Check price |
All five use a #2 Morse taper. Laguna's current warranty for new machines is two years.
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 Laguna lathes, reviewed
1. Laguna Revo 10|14: Best Laguna Mini
Who it's for: pen turners and beginners who want Laguna build quality in a true mini lathe.
The 10|14 is the newest and smallest Revo. Laguna lists a 1 HP motor, a 10-inch swing over the bed and 14 inches between centers. Three belt ranges cover 250–850, 430–1,450 and 950–3,200 RPM, and a digital readout shows spindle speed. The spindle is 1 in. x 8 TPI with an MT2 internal taper, so standard mini-lathe chucks and pen mandrels fit.
Laguna's feature list includes spur and live centers, a 3-inch faceplate, a tool rest on a 1-inch post with a 6 mm hardened steel edge, a cast iron headstock and a tailstock with a self-ejecting quill, plus a 120V auxiliary outlet for an optional LED light. Net weight is 95 lb. Laguna's page does not mention reverse, though some retail titles describe it as reversible, so confirm before you buy if you need it. The 250 RPM floor is the trade-off against the bigger Revos.
Pros
- 1 HP motor in a 10-inch mini
- Digital RPM readout
- Standard 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle and MT2
- Auxiliary outlet for a work light
Cons
- 250 RPM minimum, not 50
- Reverse not confirmed on Laguna's page
- Short 14-inch bed
2. Laguna Revo 12|16: Best Benchtop Laguna
Who it's for: turners who mainly want small bowls and like the idea of outboard turning on a benchtop machine.
The 12|16 is the Revo most people mean when they search "Laguna 12." It uses a 1 HP DC permanent-magnet motor with a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, which Laguna says keeps torque steady across the speed range. Three belt ranges cover 50–525, 325–1,750 and 650–3,500 RPM, and that 50 RPM floor is exceptional on a benchtop lathe.
Swing is 12-1/2 inches over the bed and 9-1/2 inches over the banjo, with up to 16 inches outboard. Distance between centers is 15-1/2 inches, and Laguna sells 10-inch and 20-inch bed extensions. The spindle is 1 in. x 8 TPI at both ends with a 3/8-inch bore, the tailstock is MT2, and there are 24 indexing positions. Net weight is 118 lb, which is solid for its class. We rate it highly in our mini wood lathe and midi wood lathe guides too.
Pros
- 50 RPM low end with a torque-holding PWM controller
- Outboard turning up to 16 inches
- 118 lb of mass
- 24-position indexing
Cons
- Belt changes between three ranges
- 15-1/2 inches between centers without an extension
- Shorter warranty than JET or RIKON
3. Laguna Revo 15|24: Best for Small Shops
Who it's for: bowl turners who have outgrown a midi but do not have the floor space or 220V circuit for an 18-inch lathe.
Laguna positions the 15|24 between the 12|16 and the 18|36. It runs a 1.5 HP permanent-magnet DC motor on 110V (Laguna lists 8 amps) with PWM speed control. Swing is 15-1/2 inches over the bed and 11-3/32 inches over the banjo, with 25 inches outboard using an optional accessory, and there are 24 inches between centers.
The speed ranges are 50–650, 325–2,100 and 650–4,200 RPM, so it combines the Revo's 50 RPM start with the highest top speed in the family. The spindle steps up to 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI with MT2, indexing is 24 positions with a lock, and Laguna lists a spring-loaded spindle lock and tailstock storage for centers. Net weight is 288 lb. Laguna also sells a wheel system for it.
Pros
- 15-1/2-inch swing on standard 110V
- 50 to 4,200 RPM across three ranges
- 288 lb of mass in a compact footprint
- Full-size 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI spindle
Cons
- Belt changes between ranges
- Chucks from smaller lathes need a new insert
- Outboard turning needs an extra accessory
4. Laguna Revo 18|36: Best Overall Laguna
Who it's for: committed bowl and hollow-form turners who want big capacity and a very slow, controllable start.
The Revo 18|36 is Laguna's best-known lathe. It offers 18 inches of swing over the bed, 13-1/2 inches over the banjo and 36 inches between centers, with up to 32 inches of outboard swing using the optional 20-inch extension kit. Both versions use an induction motor driven by a Delta S1 variable frequency drive (single-phase in, three-phase out), with a low range of 50–1,300 RPM and a high range of 135–3,500 RPM, forward and reverse, and a digital readout.
Laguna sells it as a 1.5 HP 110V model, which ships with a standard 5-15P plug, and a 2 HP 220V model. The spindle is 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI with MT2, indexing is 14/36/48 positions, and Laguna lists vacuum chuck acceptance. At 427 lb net it has the mass that big, wet blanks need.
Pros
- 18-inch inboard swing, 32-inch outboard with extension
- 50 RPM minimum with VFD drive and only two ranges
- 110V version available
- 427 lb of mass for vibration control
Cons
- Two-year warranty
- Large footprint
- Extensions and shelf sold separately
5. Laguna Revo 24|36 220V: Best for Big Bowls
Who it's for: production and large-work turners who need 24 inches of swing.
The 24|36 is the biggest Revo. Laguna lists a 3 HP, 220V induction motor at 1,725 RPM through a Delta S1 variable frequency drive, with low and high ranges of 50–1,300 and 135–3,500 RPM. Swing is 24 inches over the bed and 19-3/4 inches over the banjo, with 38 inches outboard when the optional 20-inch extension is installed, and 36 inches between centers.
The headstock spindle has an MT2 taper hardened to 40 HRC and a 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI thread. Laguna lists 14/36/48 indexing with a lock, a remote control box with speed settings, two control panel positions, a 12-inch tool rest, a 3-inch faceplate and a 4-1/2-inch engraved, self-ejecting tailstock quill. Shipping weight is 610 lb. It needs a 220V circuit and a floor that can take the load.
Pros
- 24-inch swing, 38-inch outboard with extension
- 3 HP with 50 RPM minimum
- Remote control box and two panel positions
- Hardened spindle taper
Cons
- 220V only
- 610 lb shipping weight needs planning
- Premium price tier
Buying guide: choosing a Laguna lathe
Pick the swing you will actually use
Swing is the largest diameter you can turn over the bed, but your comfortable bowl size is closer to the swing over the banjo. On the Revos that is 9-1/2 inches for the 12|16, about 11 inches for the 15|24, 13-1/2 inches for the 18|36 and 19-3/4 inches for the 24|36. If most of your blanks come from 12- to 14-inch logs, the 15|24 or 18|36 is the right class.
PWM DC vs VFD drive
The 12|16 and 15|24 use permanent-magnet DC motors with PWM control and three belt ranges. The 18|36 and 24|36 use induction motors with a variable frequency drive and two belt ranges. Both approaches reach 50 RPM. The VFD models need fewer belt changes and carry more mass, which is why bowl turners gravitate toward them.
Spindle thread and chucks
The 10|14 and 12|16 use 1 in. x 8 TPI; the 15|24, 18|36 and 24|36 use 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI. If you move up from a small lathe, plan on a new chuck insert or adapter. Our wood lathe chuck guide explains insert systems.
Benchtop or floor
The 10|14 and 12|16 sit on a bench or Laguna's optional stand. The 15|24 and up are floor machines. If you are unsure which class fits your space, see our benchtop vs floor lathe comparison.
Laguna lathe accessories
Laguna lists bed extensions for most Revos, a 20-inch extension and a 12-inch swing-away extension for the 18|36 and 24|36, stands and casters for the small lathes, an LED SpineLock lamp, a wheel system for the 15|24, and a vacuum chuck system for the two big lathes (a vacuum pump or compressor is required). Budget for a chuck, a face shield and a sharpening setup on top of the lathe.
Warranty and support
Laguna's warranty on new machines is two years, compared with five years from JET and RIKON. Register your lathe on Laguna's site after purchase. If warranty length is your deciding factor, compare our Powermatic wood lathe review and our Laguna vs JET lathe comparison as well.
Price tiers
- Budget to mid-range: Revo 10|14.
- Mid-range: Revo 12|16.
- Upper mid-range: Revo 15|24.
- Premium: Revo 18|36 and 24|36.
How we chose
We did not test these lathes ourselves. We compared the specifications Laguna publishes for each Revo model, checked them against retailer listings, and weighed them against the features that matter most to turners: low-speed control, swing over the banjo, mass and spindle standard. Where Laguna's page and a retailer listing disagreed, as with the 10|14's reverse function, we say so.
FAQ
Are Laguna lathes good?
Laguna's Revo lathes are well regarded for their low starting speeds and heavy cast iron construction. The 12|16 and 15|24 reach 50 RPM through a PWM-controlled DC motor, and the 18|36 and 24|36 reach 50 RPM through a Delta variable frequency drive. The main trade-off is a shorter warranty than JET or RIKON.
What is the difference between the Laguna Revo 12|16 and 15|24?
The 12|16 is a 1 HP benchtop lathe with 12-1/2 inches of swing, 15-1/2 inches between centers, a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle and 118 lb of weight. The 15|24 is a 1.5 HP lathe with 15-1/2 inches of swing, 24 inches between centers, a 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI spindle, a top speed of 4,200 RPM and 288 lb net weight.
Does the Laguna Revo 18|36 need 220V?
No. Laguna sells the Revo 18|36 in two versions: a 1.5 HP 110V model with a standard 5-15P plug, and a 2 HP 220V model. Both list 50 to 1,300 and 135 to 3,500 RPM speed ranges.
What spindle thread does a Laguna lathe have?
The Revo 10|14 and 12|16 use 1 in. x 8 TPI. The Revo 15|24, 18|36 and 24|36 use 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI. All current Revo models use a #2 Morse taper.
What accessories does Laguna sell for its lathes?
Laguna lists bed extensions (10 and 20 inches for the 12|16, a 20-inch extension and 12-inch swing-away extension for the 18|36 and 24|36), stands and casters for the small lathes, an LED SpineLock lamp, a wheel system for the 15|24 and a vacuum chuck system for the 18|36 and 24|36.
Verdict
The Laguna Revo 18|36 is the best Laguna lathe for most serious turners: big swing, a 50 RPM start and a 110V option. If space or budget is tight, the Revo 15|24 gives you 15-inch bowls on household power, and the Revo 12|16 remains one of the best benchtop lathes for small bowls. The Revo 10|14 suits pens and spindles, and the 24|36 is for turners who truly need 24 inches.