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Most lathes come with a spur center, a live center, one tool rest and maybe a small faceplate. That is enough to start, but a few wood lathe accessories make turning noticeably safer, more accurate and more fun. The trick is buying the ones that matter first, in the sizes that actually fit your lathe.
Before anything else, check three numbers in your manual: the spindle thread, the Morse taper and the tool rest post diameter. Every pick below lists what it fits. Specs come from Teknatool NOVA's and WEN's product pages, and from the Amazon listing for the Peachtree mandrel saver. For four-jaw chucks, the biggest upgrade of all, see our dedicated best wood lathe chucks guide.
Our top picks at a glance
Quick picks
- Best Live Center: NOVA 2MT Live Center System. Best for one hollow, triple-bearing center with five interchangeable points.
- Best Budget Live Center: NOVA Simple Live Center 2MT. Best for replacing a tired stock center for less.
- Best Drive Center: NOVA 7/8 in. Flexible Point Drive Center. Best for a spring-loaded drive that slips on a catch.
- Best Faceplate: NOVA 6 in. Faceplate, 1 in. x 8 TPI. Best for holding big, heavy or out-of-balance blanks.
- Best Tool Rest Upgrade: NOVA 12 in. Toolrest. Best for a longer, rigid cast iron rest on 1-inch posts.
- Best Drill Chuck: WEN LA162L. Best for drilling on the lathe with a keyless MT2 chuck.
- Best Pen Turning Accessory: Peachtree Pen Mandrel Saver (MT-2). Best for stopping mandrel flex and bent shafts.
Comparison table
| Accessory | Best for | Fits | Key spec | Warranty | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOVA 2MT Live Center System | Live center | Any 2MT tailstock | Triple bearing, hollow body, 5 points | 2 years | Check price |
| NOVA Simple Live Center 2MT | Budget live center | Any 2MT tailstock | Heavy-duty bearings, carbon steel | 2 years | See options |
| NOVA 7/8 in. Flexible Point Drive Center | Drive center | NOVA four-jaw chucks | Spring-loaded point, multiple teeth | Not stated | Check price |
| NOVA 6 in. Faceplate | Faceplate | 1 in. x 8 TPI spindles | Cast iron, plated, 4 fastening points | Not stated | Check price |
| NOVA 12 in. Toolrest TR300/1 | Tool rest | 1 in. tool post bases | Ribbed solid cast iron | Not stated | Check price |
| WEN LA162L | Drill chuck | MT2 headstock or tailstock | Keyless, 3 jaws | Not stated on page | Check price |
| Peachtree Pen Mandrel Saver | Pen turning | MT2 tailstock | Hollow live center for mandrels | Not stated | Check price |
The best wood lathe accessories, reviewed
1. NOVA 2MT Live Center System: Best Live Center
Who it's for: anyone whose stock live center wobbles, and turners who want one center for spindles, bowls and drilling.
The live center supports the tailstock end of every spindle and bowl you rough between centers, and the AAW's alignment tips single out cheap or worn live centers as a common cause of out-of-true work. NOVA's system is a 2MT center with a triple bearing system and a hollow body machined from 1045K steel, so you can drill through it. It comes with five working ends: a threaded center, a 60-degree center, a miniature extension center (whose 1/4-inch stem doubles as a pen mandrel), a hollow cup center with a removable point and a stepped cone for hollow work.
NOVA says it fits all lathes with a 2MT tailstock and backs it with a two-year full replacement warranty.
Pros
- Five interchangeable points for different jobs
- Triple bearings and a hollow body for drilling through
- Fits any 2MT tailstock
- Two-year full replacement warranty
Cons
- Mid-range price for a center
- Tailstock must be 2MT (not MT1)
- More parts to keep track of than a simple center
2. NOVA Simple Live Center 2MT: Best Budget Live Center
Who it's for: turners who just need a solid replacement center.
NOVA's simple live center is the one that ships standard with NOVA lathes. It is machined from medium tensile carbon steel with heavy-duty bearings and a solid steel point, and it fits any wood lathe with a 2MT tailstock. NOVA gives it the same two-year full replacement warranty as its live center system.
It does one job and does it without fuss. If you want interchangeable points or a hollow body, step up to the system above.
Pros
- Low cost
- Heavy-duty bearings
- Fits any 2MT tailstock
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Single fixed point
- Not hollow
- No cup or cone options
NOVA Simple Live Center 2MT
by Teknatool NOVA
Currently unavailable on Amazon
3. NOVA 7/8 in. Flexible Point Drive Center: Best Drive Center
Who it's for: spindle turners who own a NOVA four-jaw chuck and want a safer, more forgiving drive.
Most lathes ship with a two- or four-prong spur center. NOVA's flexible point drive center works differently. Its center point is spring-loaded, so tailstock pressure controls how hard the teeth bite. At light pressure, NOVA says, the work is driven but can stop if you get a catch, which reduces damage to the workpiece; at higher pressure it drives through heavy cuts. Multiple teeth spread the pressure, so it is less likely to split the blank than a standard spur. NOVA also says you can insert or remove work while the lathe runs.
It mounts in the jaws of a NOVA four-jaw chuck, so you do not have to remove the chuck to switch to spindle work. NOVA sells 1/2-inch and 1-1/4-inch versions too.
Pros
- Slips on a catch at light pressure
- Less likely to split the blank
- Mounts in the chuck, so no chuck removal
- Three sizes available
Cons
- Requires a NOVA four-jaw chuck
- Mid-range price for a drive center
- Made to mount in chuck jaws; NOVA does not list a taper-shank fitting
4. NOVA 6 in. Faceplate, 1 in. x 8 TPI: Best Faceplate
Who it's for: bowl and platter turners, and anyone mounting large or uneven blanks.
A faceplate is the most secure way to hold a big, out-of-balance blank. NOVA's 6-inch (150 mm) faceplate is cast iron, CNC machined and plated to resist corrosion, including from green wood, with four fastening points. NOVA says it fits all lathes with a standard 1 in. x 8 TPI thread. For full-size lathes, NOVA also lists a 6-inch faceplate in 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI (FP150L), plus 3-inch versions in both threads.
Use it with stout screws. The AAW's guidebook says to use #10 or #12 sheet metal screws at minimum and never drywall or deck screws.
Pros
- Cast iron, machined and plated
- Six-inch size spreads the hold on big blanks
- Available in both common spindle threads
- Plated to cope with green wood
Cons
- Four screw points only
- Screws not included in the listing
- Must match your spindle thread exactly
5. NOVA 12 in. Toolrest (TR300/1): Best Tool Rest Upgrade
Who it's for: owners of lathes with a 1-inch tool post who want a longer, stiffer rest for spindles.
The tool rest takes every cutting force, so a rigid rest matters. NOVA's 12-inch fixed toolrest is solid cast iron with ribbing to maximize rigidity, on a 1-inch shank. NOVA says it fits all NOVA lathes except the Comet II Midi and any lathe with a 1-inch toolpost fitting. A 12-inch rest lets you cover more of a long spindle without moving the banjo, which means fewer stops.
NOVA also sells a 4-inch fixed rest (TR100/1) for small work and a modular M10/M12 system with straight, bowl and box rests. Measure your post diameter first: 5/8 inch is common on minis, 1 inch on many midis and floor lathes.
Pros
- Ribbed solid cast iron for rigidity
- 12-inch length covers long spindles
- 1-inch shank fits many lathes
- Part of a wider rest system
Cons
- Not for the NOVA Comet II
- Only for 1-inch post bases
- Fixed shape, not a bowl rest
6. WEN LA162L Keyless Drill Chuck, MT2: Best Drill Chuck
Who it's for: pen turners, lamp makers and anyone drilling on the lathe.
A drill chuck on an MT2 arbor turns your tailstock into a precise horizontal drill. 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.
The AAW's drilling tip applies to any chuck: seat the taper properly in the tailstock, run the quill out only far enough for the chuck to seat fully, bring the tailstock close and lock it before drilling. Brad-point or Forstner bits reduce drifting.
Pros
- Keyless three-jaw chuck
- Fits any MT2 headstock or tailstock
- Budget price tier
- Holds bits, mandrel shafts and small work
Cons
- Capacity listed inconsistently (1/2 or 5/8 in.)
- Arbor type (tanged or not) not stated on WEN's page
- Not for MT1 lathes without an adapter
WEN LA162L 5/8-Inch Keyless Drill Chuck with MT2 Arbor Taper
by WEN
7. Peachtree Woodworking Pen Mandrel Saver (MT-2): Best Pen Turning Accessory
Who it's for: pen turners who have bent a mandrel or turned oval barrels.
The AAW's alignment article says too much tailstock pressure on a pen mandrel bends the shaft and causes oval barrels. A mandrel saver solves that. Peachtree's version is a hollow live tailstock center with an MT2 shank: the mandrel shaft passes through it, so the bushings press against the center with little pressure on the shaft itself. The Amazon listing describes it as steel and says it also works in drill presses and milling machines with an MT2 taper.
NOVA makes a similar saver, but when we checked it was sold on Amazon only inside NOVA's G3 pen-turning chuck bundle, not on its own. Mandrels, bushings and blanks are sold separately; see our woodturning pen kits guide.
Pros
- Takes pressure off the mandrel shaft
- Hollow center lets the mandrel pass through
- Fits any MT2 tailstock
- Low-cost single-purpose upgrade
Cons
- Pen-specific
- Requires an MT2 tailstock
- Warranty and maximum shaft size not stated on the listing
Peachtree Woodworking Pen Mandrel Saver (MT-2)
by Peachtree Woodworking
Buying guide: choosing woodturning lathe accessories
Know your three fit specs
- Spindle thread. The AAW lists the common threads as 1 in. x 8 TPI, 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI and M33 x 3.5. Faceplates and chucks must match exactly, or use an insert or adapter.
- Morse taper. The AAW notes MT2 is the most common on woodturning lathes. Some minis use MT1. Centers, drill chucks and mandrels must match.
- Tool rest post diameter. Commonly 5/8 inch on minis and 1 inch on many midis and floor lathes. Check before buying a rest.
Our parts of a wood lathe guide shows where each of these is.
What to buy first
- A full face shield, if you do not have one. The AAW says full face shields provide the protection needed for bowls, vessels and any chuck or faceplate work. See our wood turning guard and face shield picks.
- A four-jaw chuck, for bowls and boxes. See our best wood lathe chucks.
- A better live center, if your work runs out of true.
- A drill chuck, for pens, stoppers and lamps.
- A longer or shaped tool rest, for long spindles or bowl interiors.
- A faceplate, for big blanks and platters.
Wood lathe tool rest choices
Longer straight rests suit long spindles. Short rests suit pens and small work. Curved bowl rests follow a bowl's inside or outside so the tool overhangs less. A hardened top rod or bar resists the nicks that make tools skip. Whatever you use, follow the AAW's tool rest rules: keep it close to the work, switch the lathe off to adjust it, rotate the work by hand after adjusting and remove it before sanding.
Faceplate safety
Faceplates hold work securely only if the screws do. The AAW says to use #10 or #12 sheet metal screws as a minimum. Avoid screwing into end grain where possible, check that the screws will not reach your final shape, and stop the lathe to check for loosening. In reverse, faceplates and chucks can unscrew unless locked with set screws, per the AAW. Our faceplate turning guide covers mounting step by step.
Lighting and dust collection
The AAW recommends good overhead light plus a movable work lamp aimed at the project, with protective shields on lights. It also highly recommends a dust collection intake at the lathe. Both are worth budgeting for alongside the accessories above.
Sharpening is an accessory too
A sharp tool is the best safety upgrade. If you do not yet have a slow-speed grinder and jig, see our lathe tool sharpening jig guide.
Price tiers
- Budget: simple live centers, a basic MT2 drill chuck.
- Mid-range: live center systems, cast iron faceplates and tool rests, flexible drive centers.
- Premium: four-jaw chuck systems, modular rest systems, vacuum chucking.
How we chose
We did not test these accessories ourselves. We chose them from manufacturers' product pages, favoring accessories that state exactly what they fit (thread, taper, post size) and carry a clear warranty, and we cross-checked the AAW's guidance on faceplates, centers, drilling and tool rests. Where a maker's page contradicts itself, as with the WEN chuck's capacity, we say so.
FAQ
What accessories do I need for a wood lathe?
Beyond the centers and tool rest that come with most lathes, the first upgrades are usually a four-jaw chuck for bowls, a better live center, a faceplate in your spindle thread, a drill chuck on an MT2 arbor and a full face shield. Pen turners add a mandrel and bushings.
How do I know which accessories fit my lathe?
Check three specs in your manual: the spindle thread (commonly 1 in. x 8 TPI or 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI), the Morse taper size in the headstock and tailstock (usually MT2) and the tool rest post diameter (often 5/8 or 1 inch).
What is a wood lathe faceplate used for?
A faceplate is a threaded disk that screws onto the spindle. You screw the work to it, usually a bowl or platter blank. The AAW recommends #10 or #12 sheet metal screws at minimum and never drywall or deck screws. Our bowl turning guide shows faceplate mounting step by step.
Is a better live center worth it?
Yes, if your work comes out oval or chatters. The AAW's alignment tips say inexpensive or worn live centers are a common cause of out-of-true work, and that a cheap center is often worth discarding and upgrading.
Do I need a drill chuck for my lathe?
If you make pens, bottle stoppers, lamps or anything with a bored hole, yes. A Jacobs-style chuck on an MT2 arbor fits the tailstock and lets you drill on the lathe's center line. The AAW says to seat the taper properly and extend the quill only far enough for the chuck to seat.
Verdict
If you buy one accessory after a chuck, make it the NOVA 2MT Live Center System: it replaces several centers and fixes a common cause of wobbly work. Add the WEN LA162L drill chuck if you drill on the lathe, the NOVA 6-inch faceplate for big blanks, and the Peachtree Pen Mandrel Saver if pens are your thing.
Related guides: lathe spindle thread size chart and lathe sanding tools.