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WEN is the budget brand most new turners meet first. Its lathes cost a fraction of a JET or Laguna, they are easy to find on Amazon, and WEN has a US parts and support operation, which is more than many no-name benchtop lathes can say. The question is not whether a WEN lathe is cheap. It is which WEN lathe fits what you want to turn, and where the savings show.
WEN has sold several lathe models over the years (its accessory listings name the 3420, 34018, 3427 and others), but the wood lathes you are most likely to find on Amazon today are three: the LA3421 mini, the LA3424 five-speed 12-inch lathe and the 34035 variable speed 14-inch lathe, usually sold on Amazon as a bundle with WEN's four-jaw chuck. This WEN lathe review compares all three on the specs WEN publishes and adds the WEN accessories that fit them.
Our top picks at a glance
WEN 34035 6-Amp 14-Inch by 20-Inch Variable Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe & LA4444 4-Inch 4-Jaw Self-Centering Chuck SetCheck priceBest WEN Mini
WEN LA3421 3.2-Amp 8-Inch by 13-Inch Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood LatheCheck priceBest for Pen Turners
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 WEN Lathe: WEN 34035 + LA4444 Chuck Bundle. Best for bowls and spindles with a 250 RPM low end and a 14 x 20-inch envelope.
- Best WEN Mini: WEN LA3421. Best for pens and small spindles on the smallest budget.
- Best for Pen Turners: WEN LA3421 + LA3040 Pen Press Bundle. Best for starting pens with the lathe and press in one order.
- Best Budget 12-Inch: WEN LA3424. Best for MT2 accessories and more capacity than the mini, with step-pulley speeds.
- Best WEN Chuck: WEN LA4444. Best for a low-cost four-jaw chuck on WEN's 1 in. x 8 TPI lathes.
- Best Drill Chuck: WEN LA162L. Best for drilling on the lathe with an MT2 tailstock.
WEN lathes compared
| Lathe | Best for | Capacity | Motor | Speed | Tapers | Spindle thread | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEN 34035 | Overall | 14 x 20 in. workpiece | 6 A | 250–3,550 RPM, variable | MT2 / MT2 | 1 in. x 8 TPI | Check price |
| WEN LA3421 | Mini | 8 in. swing, 13 in. between centers | 3.2 A, soft start | 750–3,200 RPM, variable | MT1 / MT1 | Takes WEN 1 in. x 8 TPI chucks | Check price |
| WEN LA3424 | Budget 12-inch | 12 x 18 in. workpiece | 4.5 A | 520, 900, 1,400, 2,150 and 3,400 RPM | MT2 / MT2 | Takes WEN 1 in. x 8 TPI chucks | Check price |
WEN rates the LA3424 and 34035 by maximum workpiece size rather than swing and distance between centers. Treat those figures as the largest piece the lathe can hold, not a comfortable working size.
The WEN lathes, reviewed
1. WEN 34035 + LA4444 Chuck Bundle: Best Overall WEN Lathe
Who it's for: beginners who want to turn bowls as well as spindles, on a budget, with a chuck in the same box.
The 34035 is WEN's most capable lathe. WEN rates it for workpieces up to 14 inches wide and 20 inches long, with a 6-amp motor and variable speed from 250 to 3,550 RPM. The spindle is 1 in. x 8 TPI with MT2 tapers in the headstock and tailstock, so standard chucks, live centers, drill chucks and pen mandrels fit. The lathe box includes an MT2 spur center, an MT2 live center, an 8-inch tool rest and a 4-inch faceplate. WEN describes it as a 120-plus-pound build with a two-year warranty.
On Amazon the 34035 is sold as a bundle with WEN's LA4444 4-inch four-jaw self-centering chuck, which threads onto the 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle and includes a screw chuck. That combination covers most of what you need to start bowls: hold the blank on the screw chuck or faceplate, cut a tenon, and finish it in the four-jaw.
The 250 RPM low end is the reason it is our top WEN pick. The AAW advises starting unbalanced work at the lathe's lowest speed, and 250 RPM is far more comfortable for an out-of-round bowl blank than the 520 or 750 RPM minimums of WEN's other lathes. WEN does not publish a horsepower figure, so do not expect it to hog out a 14-inch green blank like a 2 HP floor lathe.
Pros
- 250 to 3,550 RPM variable speed
- 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle and MT2 tapers
- Four-jaw chuck and screw chuck in the bundle
- Live center, spur center and faceplate included
Cons
- No published horsepower
- 14-inch rating is a maximum, not a working size
- Priced closer to JET and RIKON midis than to WEN's minis
WEN 34035 6-Amp 14-Inch by 20-Inch Variable Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe & LA4444 4-Inch 4-Jaw Self-Centering Chuck Set
by WEN
2. WEN LA3421: Best WEN Mini
Who it's for: pen turners, hobbyists trying turning for the first time and anyone with a tiny shop.
WEN's current listing for the LA3421 gives an 8-inch swing and 13 inches between centers (older listings say 12). A 3.2-amp soft-start motor drives dial-controlled variable speed from 750 to 3,200 RPM, so there are no belts to move. It comes with two tool rests (4-1/2 and 7 inches), a 2.3-inch faceplate, a spur center, a cup center and a knockout rod, and WEN's chuck listings show it takes 1 in. x 8 TPI accessories.
Two trade-offs matter. The tapers are MT1, not MT2, so any mandrel, live center or drill chuck you buy must be MT1 or used with an adapter. And 750 RPM is too fast to start anything large or out of balance; WEN itself recommends a 4-inch maximum workpiece when you use its 4-inch chuck on this lathe. Treat the LA3421 as a pen, ornament and small-spindle machine and it makes sense. For other small lathes, see our best mini wood lathes.
Pros
- Very low cost of entry
- Variable speed by dial, no belt changes
- Two tool rests and a faceplate included
- Small footprint
Cons
- MT1 tapers, unlike most lathes
- 750 RPM minimum
- 4-inch maximum workpiece with WEN's chuck
WEN LA3421 3.2-Amp 8-Inch by 13-Inch Variable Speed Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe
by WEN
3. WEN LA3421 + LA3040 Pen Press Bundle: Best for Pen Turners
Who it's for: anyone buying a lathe mainly to make pens.
WEN sells the LA3421 in a bundle with its LA3040 pen press, which has an adjustable assembly rod. A pen press pushes the kit's metal parts into the turned barrels squarely and with even pressure, which is easier and more accurate than tapping them together with a mallet or squeezing them in a vise. The lathe itself is the same LA3421 described above: 8-inch swing, 13 inches between centers, 750 to 3,200 RPM, MT1 tapers.
Pens are a natural fit for the LA3421. Pen blanks are usually under an inch in diameter, where the AAW's spindle chart suggests about 3,000 RPM, which this lathe reaches easily. You still need a pen mandrel in MT1, bushings for your kit, a drill and barrel trimmer, and the kits themselves; our woodturning pen kits guide covers them.
Pros
- Lathe and pen press in one order
- Speed range suits pen blanks
- Adjustable assembly rod on the press
- Same compact footprint as the LA3421
Cons
- MT1 tapers: buy an MT1 pen mandrel
- Mandrel, bushings and kits sold separately
- Not a bowl lathe
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
4. WEN LA3424: Best Budget 12-Inch
Who it's for: beginners who want standard MT2 accessories and more room than a mini, and do not mind moving a belt.
WEN rates the LA3424 (also sold with a stand as the 3424T) for workpieces up to 12 inches wide and 18 inches long. A 4.5-amp motor drives five belt speeds: 520, 900, 1,400, 2,150 and 3,400 RPM. Both the headstock and tailstock take MT2 tapers, and WEN lists the 3424 as compatible with its 1 in. x 8 TPI chucks, so standard accessories fit. It ships with a spur center, a tailstock center, a 3-1/8-inch faceplate and an accessory holder, and WEN describes it as a 70-plus-pound build.
Retail listings for this model are not perfectly consistent; one describes a four-speed range of 890 to 2,600 RPM. WEN's own five-speed figures are the ones we use, but check the manual for your unit. Step pulleys mean you stop the lathe, open the cover and move the belt to change speed. That is slower than a dial, and the 520 RPM bottom speed limits how big an out-of-round blank you can start safely.
Pros
- MT2 tapers in both ends
- 12 x 18-inch capacity for the price
- Takes WEN's 1 in. x 8 TPI chucks
- Available with a stand (3424T)
Cons
- Step-pulley speeds, no dial
- 520 RPM minimum
- Listings disagree on the speed set
WEN LA3424 4.5-Amp 12-Inch by 18-Inch 5-Speed Benchtop Wood Lathe
by WEN
5. WEN LA4444 Chuck: Best WEN Chuck
Who it's for: owners of WEN lathes who want a basic four-jaw chuck for bowls, boxes and small work.
The LA4444 is a 4-inch, keyed, self-centering chuck with a 1 in. x 8 TPI mount and dovetailed jaws, plus a screw chuck. WEN gives the clamping range as 1.6 to 2.8 inches gripping externally and 2 to 3.2 inches expanding into a recess. It lists compatibility with the WEN 3420, 3420T, 3421, 3424, 3424T, 34018, 3427, 34027 and 34034, and recommends a maximum workpiece of 4 inches on the 3420, 3420T and 3421.
It is a keyed chuck with a modest jaw range, and WEN's jaws do not interchange with NOVA or Oneway jaws. That is fine for a first chuck. If you later outgrow it, our wood lathe chuck guide covers chucks with larger jaw ecosystems.
Pros
- Matches WEN's 1 in. x 8 TPI spindles
- Screw chuck included
- Clear published clamping ranges
- Low cost
Cons
- Keyed, two-handed tightening
- Small jaw range
- WEN-only jaws
6. WEN LA162L Drill Chuck: Best Drill Chuck
Who it's for: anyone drilling pen blanks, bottle stoppers, lamp bases or candle holders on the lathe.
A drill chuck on an MT2 arbor turns your tailstock into a horizontal drill press that bores right on the center line. WEN's LA162L is a three-jaw keyless chuck on an MT2 arbor that installs with a rubber mallet. WEN says it is compatible with any MT2 drill press, lathe or mill, and names its 3424, 3424T, 3427, 34018, 34027 and 34034 lathes. Capacity is listed as 5/8 inch in WEN's bullets and 1/2 inch in its description, so treat 1/2 inch as the safe figure.
Because it is MT2, it fits the LA3424 and 34035 directly. On the MT1 LA3421, it will not fit without an adapter. The AAW advises seating the taper fully and extending the quill only as far as needed.
Pros
- Keyless, quick bit changes
- MT2 arbor fits most lathes
- Names WEN lathes it fits
- Low cost
Cons
- Capacity stated two ways
- Does not fit MT1 tailstocks without an adapter
- Arbor tang not stated
WEN LA162L 5/8-Inch Keyless Drill Chuck with MT2 Arbor Taper
by WEN
Buying guide: choosing a WEN lathe
Pick by what you want to turn
- Pens, ornaments, bottle stoppers and small spindles: LA3421, or the LA3421 pen press bundle.
- Spindles, boxes and small bowls with standard accessories: LA3424.
- Bowls up to medium size, spindles and everything else: 34035 bundle.
Speed control and low-end speed
Variable speed by dial (LA3421, 34035) is easier than moving a belt (LA3424), and it lets you adjust speed while you watch how the work runs. The low end is the safety number. The AAW suggests about 3,000 RPM for spindle stock 1 inch or less, 2,000 at 2 inches, 1,500 at 3 inches and 1,000 RPM or less at 4 inches and larger, and it advises starting unbalanced work below those figures. Our wood lathe speed chart has the full table. That makes the 34035's 250 RPM start the only WEN low end suited to bowls.
Tapers: MT1 vs MT2
MT2 is the most common taper on woodturning lathes, according to the AAW. The LA3424 and 34035 use MT2; the LA3421 uses MT1. Buy accessories to match, or use an adapter. This matters most for pen mandrels, live centers and drill chucks.
Chucks and spindle threads
WEN's four-jaw LA4444 uses a 1 in. x 8 TPI mount and WEN lists it for the LA3421, LA3424 and other models; the 34035 also has a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle. Any 1 in. x 8 TPI chuck fits these spindles, so you are not locked into WEN accessories. See our lathe spindle thread size chart.
Stands and bed extensions
The LA3424 is sold with a stand as the 3424T. WEN also sells the LA8800, a height-adjustable steel lathe stand rated for 225 lb, but its listings do not name every lathe it fits, so check WEN's compatibility notes first. WEN's 3424EX is a 23-inch cast iron bed extension; confirm which lathes it fits with WEN before you order. Our wood lathe stand guide covers universal stands and DIY options.
WEN vs JET, RIKON and the rest
You pay less for a WEN, and you give up some things: published horsepower on the 34035, low-end speed on the minis, and warranty length (WEN offers two years; JET offers five). If you can stretch to a JET JWL-1221VS or RIKON 70-1516VSRK, you get a lower starting speed, more power and a longer warranty. Our JET mini lathe comparison and best wood lathes for beginners guide compare them directly.
How we chose
We did not test these lathes ourselves. We compared WEN's own product pages and Amazon listings for each model, noted where listings disagree (as with the LA3424's speeds and the LA162L's capacity), and weighed the specs against AAW guidance on lathe speed and Morse tapers. We picked WEN accessories that WEN lists as compatible with these lathes.
FAQ
Is a WEN lathe good for beginners?
For spindles, pens and small bowls, yes. WEN lathes are among the least expensive brand-name lathes with US parts support and a two-year warranty. The trade-offs are high minimum speeds on the minis (750 RPM on the LA3421), step pulleys on the LA3424 and no published horsepower on the 34035. For bowls, choose the 34035 with its 250 RPM low end.
What is the difference between the WEN LA3421 and LA3424?
The LA3421 is an 8 x 13-inch mini with dial variable speed from 750 to 3,200 RPM and MT1 tapers. The LA3424 handles work up to 12 x 18 inches, runs five belt speeds from 520 to 3,400 RPM and uses MT2 tapers in both the headstock and tailstock, so standard MT2 accessories fit.
What chuck fits a WEN lathe?
WEN's LA4444 4-inch four-jaw chuck has a 1 in. x 8 TPI mount and WEN lists it for the 3420, 3420T, 3421, 3424, 3424T, 34018, 3427, 34027 and 34034. The 34035 also uses a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle. On the smallest lathes, WEN recommends a 4-inch maximum workpiece with the chuck.
Is there a stand for the WEN lathe?
WEN sells the LA3424 with a stand as the 3424T, and WEN also sells a general-purpose height-adjustable lathe stand rated for 225 lb (LA8800). Confirm on WEN's product page that a stand's mounting fits your model before ordering. Universal mini/midi stands from RIKON and others are another option.
Does WEN make a lathe bed extension?
WEN sells a 23-inch cast iron bed extension (3424EX). Retailer listings mention it alongside the 34035, but compatibility with each model is not clearly stated, so confirm with WEN before you buy one.
Verdict
The WEN 34035 bundle is the WEN lathe to buy if you want bowls as well as spindles: 250 RPM at the bottom, MT2 tapers and a chuck in the box. The LA3421 is the cheapest sensible way into pens, especially in the pen press bundle, and the LA3424 suits budget spindle work with standard MT2 accessories. For a complete starter package, see our wood lathe with tools guide.