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A wood lathe duplicator lets you turn four table legs, eight chair spindles or thirty balusters that actually match. A copy attachment follows a template or master piece with a stylus and moves a cutter to reproduce the same profile, so you are not eyeballing every bead and cove.
The catch is that the market is small. Several older duplicator brands are no longer easy to buy new, and many cheap copy attachments sold online publish few specs. So we split this guide into three routes: a lathe built with a copy attachment, an add-on duplicator for a midi lathe, and the manual sizing tools that most turners use to copy work by hand. Every spec below comes from the manufacturer's spec sheet or product page.
Quick picks
- Best All-in-One Duplicating Lathe: Grizzly G0842. Best for furniture makers who need matched legs and spindles up to 32 inches long.
- Best Add-On for Midi Lathes: PSI CML-DUPMAX. Best for duplicating short spindles on a compatible 10- to 12-inch midi lathe.
- Best Manual Duplicating Aid: Robert Sorby Sizing Tool. Best for repeating diameters exactly with a parting tool.
- Best Tool to Pair with the Sizing Tool: Robert Sorby 833H. Best for beading and parting with Sorby's sizing attachment.
Comparison table
| Product | Best for | Type | Copy capacity | Fits | Key spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly G0842 | All-in-one | Lathe with copy attachment | Up to 8 in. diameter x 32 in. long | Built in | 14 in. swing, 37 in. between centers, 3/4 HP, 10 speeds 600–2,400 RPM | See options |
| PSI CML-DUPMAX | Midi add-on | Duplicator attachment | Spindles up to 12 in. long | Turncrafter Commander 10/12 in. VS midis; 12 in. JET, Delta, RIKON with 21 in. bed | Diameter capacity not published | Check price |
| Robert Sorby Sizing Tool | Manual copying | Parting tool attachment | Diameters up to 3 in. | Sorby 3/8 in. beading and parting tool or bedan | Two thumb screws lock it on | Check price |
| Robert Sorby 833H | Pairs with sizing tool | Beading and parting tool | n/a | Any lathe | 3/8 in. HSS, 18-3/4 in. overall | Check price |
The best wood lathe duplicators, reviewed
1. Grizzly G0842 14 in. x 37 in. Wood Lathe with Copy Attachment: Best All-in-One Duplicating Lathe
Who it's for: hobby furniture makers who need sets of matching legs, spindles or balusters and want the duplicator and lathe designed to work together.
Grizzly's G0842 is a 14 x 37-inch lathe that ships with a copy device. Grizzly's spec sheet (dated October 2026) rates the copy attachment for workpieces up to 8 inches in diameter and 32 inches long, and says it drops out of the way for regular turning. The lathe itself offers 14 inches of swing over the bed and 37 inches between centers, with a 3/4 HP, 110V TEFC capacitor-start motor drawing 11 amps on a minimum 15-amp circuit. A belt drive gives 10 spindle speeds from 600 to 2,400 RPM.
The spindle is 1 in. x 8 TPI right-hand with MT2 tapers in the headstock and tailstock, so standard chucks and centers fit. Grizzly includes a 12-inch tool rest on a 1-inch post, a 6-inch faceplate, MT2 spur and live centers, faceplate wrenches and a tooling removal pin. The bed and stand are steel, the headstock and tailstock cast iron, and the machine weighs 155 lb. The warranty is one year.
Two cautions. Grizzly's spec sheet gives 12 inches of swing over the tool rest base in one table and 9 inches in its feature list, so check before planning bowls. And a 600 RPM minimum with step speeds is fine for spindles but limits bowl work; this is a spindle and furniture lathe first.
Pros
- Copy device rated for 8 x 32-inch workpieces
- 37 inches between centers for full-length legs
- Standard 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle and MT2 tapers
- Runs on 110V
Cons
- 600 RPM minimum and 10 fixed speeds
- Steel bed and 155 lb weight are light for big bowls
- One-year warranty
Grizzly G0842 14 in. x 37 in. Wood Lathe with Copy Attachment
by Grizzly
Currently unavailable on Amazon
Grizzly sells the G0842 mainly from its own site, and its Amazon listing had no featured offer when we checked. On Amazon, VEVOR lists a lathe of similar size with a copy attachment: its title gives 13.78 x 37.8 inches, a 1 HP (750 W) motor, continuously variable speed from 700 to 2,600 RPM and a stand. VEVOR publishes far less detail than Grizzly (no copy capacity in the title), so read the listing and its Q&A before you buy.
2. PSI Woodworking CML-DUPMAX Duplicator Attachment: Best Add-On for Midi Lathes
Who it's for: midi lathe owners who want to copy short spindles such as tool handles, drawer pulls, chess pieces and small balusters.
PSI's CML-DUPMAX is the largest of PSI's mini and midi duplicators. PSI lists it for spindles up to 12 inches long on lathes with 10-, 12- and 12-1/2-inch swing, with a base that spans a lathe bed of 21 inches or more. Its listed compatibility covers PSI's Turncrafter Commander 10- and 12-inch variable-speed midi lathes and the JET 12-inch, Delta 12-inch and RIKON 12-inch lathes with a 21-inch bed. PSI's manual gives 12 inches of maximum spindle length for the DUPMAX and 9 inches for its smaller CML-DUP models.
PSI does not publish a maximum diameter for the DUPMAX. PSI's smaller CML-DUP8 is rated for spindles up to 9 inches long and 2 inches in diameter, which gives a sense of the class. Because PSI's manual dates from 2010 and the listing we saw was tied to an expired promotion, confirm current stock and compatibility with your exact lathe before ordering.
Pros
- Adds duplicating to an existing midi lathe
- Up to 12-inch spindle length
- Listed for several common 12-inch lathes
- Smaller PSI models for mini lathes
Cons
- Short capacity: not for table legs
- Diameter capacity not published
- Current availability unclear; check before buying
PSI Woodworking CML-DUPMAX Duplicator Attachment for Midi Lathes
by PSI Woodworking
3. Robert Sorby Sizing Tool: Best Manual Duplicating Aid
Who it's for: spindle turners who make matching parts occasionally and do not want a dedicated duplicator.
Most turners copy work by hand, and the hard part is repeating each diameter exactly. Sorby's Sizing Tool (H970000) solves that. It clamps onto a parting tool and rides on the work, so the parting tool stops cutting when it reaches the set diameter. Sorby says it gives accurate, consistent diameters up to 3 inches on spindlework and fits its 3/8-inch beading and parting tool or bedan. Two thumb screws lock it in place. Retailers note that other parting tools up to 3/8 x 3/8 inch with a long enough shank can also work.
Sorby's method: set the parting tool to size with a steel rule, lock it, rough the stock to within about 1/2 inch of the final size, then use the sizing tool to cut the finished diameter. Repeat at every key point along your story stick, then shape between the sized grooves.
Pros
- Repeats diameters exactly, part after part
- Works on any lathe
- Low cost compared with a duplicator
- Ideal for tenons, ferrules and chair parts
Cons
- Diameters up to 3 inches only
- Fits 3/8-inch parting tools, not every tool
- Retailers describe a cast aluminum body; handle it with care
Robert Sorby Sizing Tool (H970000)
by Robert Sorby
4. Robert Sorby 833H 3/8 in. Beading and Parting Tool: Best Tool to Pair with the Sizing Tool
Who it's for: anyone buying the Sorby Sizing Tool, and spindle turners who want one tool for beads and sizing cuts.
The 833H is Sorby's 3/8-inch beading and parting tool, in HSS with an ash handle and brass ferrule, 18-3/4 inches overall. It is one of the two Sorby tools the Sizing Tool is designed to fit. It cuts sizing grooves, rolls small beads and parts off, which covers most of the work of copying a spindle by hand.
Pros
- Designed to work with the Sorby Sizing Tool
- Beads, sizing cuts and parting in one tool
- HSS with a brass ferrule
- Long 18-3/4-inch overall length
Cons
- 3/8 inch wastes more wood than a thin parting tool
- Plain HSS
- Sold separately from the sizing tool
Robert Sorby 833H 3/8 in. Beading and Parting Tool
by Robert Sorby
How lathe duplicators work
A duplicator has three parts: a template or master mounted parallel to the lathe bed, a stylus that follows the template, and a cutter linked to the stylus that cuts the blank to the same profile. Move the stylus along the template and the cutter reproduces it on the spinning blank.
Results depend on rigidity and setup. Owners of older duplicators on woodworking forums report that long, thin spindles can whip under the cut and may need a steady rest, and that a fair amount of hand work is still needed to clean up details. Expect a duplicator to get you close; you still finish by hand.
Buying guide: choosing a wood lathe duplicator
Match capacity to the work
| Project | Typical length | Route | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tool handles, pulls, chess pieces | Under 12 in. | Midi add-on or sizing tool | See options |
| Chair spindles, short balusters | 12 to 24 in. | Duplicating lathe or manual copying | See options |
| Table legs, stair balusters | 24 to 32 in. | Duplicating lathe such as the G0842 | See options |
| Bedposts, long columns | Over 32 in. | Larger industrial duplicators, or manual copying with a bed extension |
Add-on vs built-in
An add-on uses the lathe you have, but must fit its bed, swing and banjo. A built-in copy lathe is designed around the attachment, which simplifies setup, but it is a second machine to house. Check your lathe's bed length, swing and spindle height against any add-on's listed fit; our parts of a wood lathe guide explains each dimension.
Rigidity and steady rests
Long, slender spindles flex under any cut. A heavy lathe, a sharp cutter, light passes and a steady rest all help. If you plan many long, thin parts, factor a steady rest into the budget.
Speed
Spindle duplicating runs at spindle speeds. The AAW suggests about 2,000 RPM for 2-inch stock, 1,500 RPM for 3-inch stock and 1,000 RPM or less for 4 inches and larger. Start below those while the blank is square.
Manual copying is underrated
Most matched spindles are still turned by hand with three aids:
- A story stick: a strip of wood marked with every transition and diameter, held against the spinning blank to transfer marks.
- Calipers: one pair for each key diameter, set once and left alone.
- A sizing tool: like Sorby's, to cut each diameter to the same depth.
Turn the first piece carefully, mark the story stick from it, size every diameter with a parting tool, then shape between the grooves. It is slower than a duplicator but works on any lathe, at any length. Our lathe chisels guide covers the parting and spindle tools you need, and the same method works for matched candlesticks.
Availability
The duplicator market changes. When we checked, Vega Woodworking's website, long associated with lathe duplicators, said only that it was "coming soon," and PSI's duplicator listing was tied to an expired promotion. Confirm stock before you plan a project around a specific unit, and consider the used market; see our used wood lathe buying guide.
Price tiers
- Budget: a sizing tool, calipers and a story stick.
- Mid-range: an add-on duplicator for a compatible midi lathe.
- Upper mid-range: a lathe with a built-in copy attachment, like the G0842.
Safety with duplicators
- Read the duplicator's and lathe's manuals and follow every guard and setup instruction.
- Keep hands clear of the cutter and stylus path while the lathe runs.
- Wear a full face shield; the AAW says full face shields provide the protection needed for turning with chucks and faceplates, and a long spindle that breaks under a cutter can throw pieces.
- Use sound, straight-grained blanks. The AAW advises against turning stock with cracks, splits or ring shake.
- Rotate the work by hand before every start, switch off before adjusting anything, and stand out of the line of fire at start-up.
How we chose
We did not test these products ourselves. We looked for duplicators and copy aids with published specifications and current listings, used Grizzly's spec sheet, PSI's product page and manual, and Robert Sorby's product page, and cross-checked them against the AAW's spindle speed and safety guidance. We left out unbranded copy attachments that do not publish capacity or compatibility.
FAQ
What is a wood lathe duplicator?
A duplicator, or copy attachment, guides a cutter along a template or master piece so the lathe reproduces the same profile on each blank. It is used for matching chair spindles, stair balusters, table legs and similar parts.
Can I add a duplicator to my existing lathe?
Sometimes. PSI's CML-DUPMAX lists compatibility with Turncrafter Commander 10- and 12-inch variable-speed midi lathes and with 12-inch JET, Delta and RIKON lathes with a 21-inch bed, for spindles up to 12 inches long. For longer work, a lathe built with a copy attachment, such as the Grizzly G0842, is simpler.
How long a spindle can a lathe duplicator copy?
It depends on the unit. Grizzly lists its G0842's copy device for workpieces up to 8 inches in diameter and 32 inches long. PSI lists its CML-DUPMAX for spindles up to 12 inches long.
How do you duplicate spindles without a duplicator?
Use a story stick (a strip marked with every transition), calipers set to each key diameter, and a parting tool with a sizing attachment such as Robert Sorby's Sizing Tool to cut each diameter to the same size. Turn the first piece, then copy it point by point.
Do duplicators leave a finished surface?
Usually not. Most copy attachments rough the profile close to size; you still refine details, clean up transitions and sand by hand. Owners of older duplicators also report that long, thin spindles can whip and may need a steady rest.
Verdict
For regular furniture work, the Grizzly G0842 is the most practical wood lathe duplicator: a copy device rated for 8 x 32-inch parts on a 110V lathe with standard threads. If you own a compatible 12-inch midi and turn short parts, PSI's CML-DUPMAX adds copying for less, once you confirm stock. For occasional matched spindles, a Robert Sorby Sizing Tool on an 833H beading and parting tool, with calipers and a story stick, does the job on any lathe. For more lathe options, see our best wood lathe and best midi wood lathes guides.