[In-Depth] Shop fox Benchtop w1704 Variable Speed Mini lathe Review

Woodworking is an art which takes years to master. For excellent woodwork and woodturning, you should have proper tools. Lathe machine is an essential power tool that you should buy, considering all the important aspects. It is one of the best benchtop lathe machines that you can buy in 2019. W1704 is a 1/3 horsepower benchtop lathe which has some outstanding features and also comes at affordable pricing. If you are a beginner or hobbyist and thinking of buying a mini-lathe, this could be a good one to start with.

If you compare it with other midi lathes at this range, this one certainly stands out of the crowd. If you want some alternative options, you can have a look at Grizzly MC254 and Rockler Excelsior. In other lathes, you’ll have fixed speed options while in this one, you get infinite speed option. This feature is quite difficult to find at this price range. It is very easy to use, even though you are a novice, you can easily get used to of it. It has a controlling knob which allows you to adjust the speed at your disposal. Just turn the knob, and the speed will increase.

Though there are some drawbacks as well. As it doesn’t come with handwheel on the headstock. It is suitable for small DIY projects; if you want to deal with bigger projects, then there are better options in the market that you should give a try.

In the below sections, we’ll dive into different important aspects of the machine. So, read the whole article carefully, so that at the end if you have any question, you can ask us and we’ll try to reply as soon as possible. Below is a list of items that you get with the package.

W1704 Wood Lathe
Owner’s Manual
Safety paddle switch
MT #1 live center
MT #1 spur center
4-1/4″ and 7″ tool rests
5-3/4″ faceplate
3/4″ x 16 TPI RH spindle

Table of Contents

Technical Specifications

Benchtop w1704	Specifications
Horsepower	1/3HP
Dimensions	7.1 x 27.9 x 13.7inches
Volts	110V
Amperage	2
Weight	50.8 lbs
Power Source	Corded-electric
Distance between centers	12 inches
Footprint	23-3/8 x 5-1/2
Warranty	2years

Review

Build Quality
The lathe machine weighs around 50pounds, and dimensions are 7.1 x 27.9 x 13.7 inches. It has a pretty good sturdy build and lasts for years without any wear and tear. You can use it daily and work on your small DIY projects. If you want a benchtop lathe, this could be the once that you should consider buying. It is a super compact lightweight machine, it fits in a small place, and you can easily carry it from one place to another without any inconvenience.

Most of the body here is made up of cast iron which makes it durable and that’s why it comes with a good warranty period. You can use it for long hours, and it would always be your best companion.
You can easily fit different kinds of turning job as it comes with 8-inch of swing over the bed. The distance between the center is around 13cm. It is also a very quiet machine, and you don’t have to worry about the vibrations as well.

Motor Power
This might not be the most powerful machine in the market, but it does its job pretty good. You can have a revolution from 700 to 3200. It can easily turn any kind of wood no matter whether it’s softwood or hardwood. At this range, the motor power varies from 1/8HP to 2HP. Considering its 1/3HP, i would say that it’s pretty average. It comes with the electronic variable speed system. There are generally three kinds of variable speed system. You can control it with belt pulley, mechanical or electrical system.
In most of the inexpensive models, the belt pulley system is used, the mechanical adjustment, you’ll see in mid-range models while advanced machines come with the electronic control system.

Accessories
The W1704 comes with all the accessories that you’ll need in a wood lathe. It comes with both 4-1/2 and 7-inch tool rest that gives you the freedom of different turning application. It also includes 5-3/4-inch faceplate which fits into headstock spindle. You also get wrenches and other essential tools as well. You don’t have to buy anything separately.

Online Rating
The lathe has received decent rating online. Users are really happy with the purchase.
For more information, you can read the Amazon reviews and then make the decision as we have already mentioned that it is an entry-level lathe machine for beginners and only suitable for small DIY projects. If you are looking for any advanced lathe, then you can choose the other available models in the market.

Affordability
Affordability is the forte of this lathe machine. Considering the features, it comes with; it is the cheapest deal in the market. If you want some better option, you can have a look at the recommended posts option.

How to Setup
I will highly recommend you to go through the manual first before you start using the lathe. There, you’ll get to know everything about the different parts of the machine. You’ll also learn about the different safety measures that you have to keep in mind while using the lathe. It will also guide you on how to operate the lathe and ensure its long life. They have also covered aspects like machine placement, assembly, and more. you can download the manual over here. Watch the below video till the end to have a better understanding of the lathe setup.

Watch the Video till End | Lathe Setup

Pros & Cons

Pros

If you are looking for a low budget lathe, this could be the lathe machine that you can go for.
It has a sturdy build and lasts for years without any wear and tear. Most of the body is made of Cast iron, which makes it durable.
It has a compact design which makes it lightweight and portable.
It has all the safety features that you’ll need in a lathe machine. It also includes safety paddle switch that you can use in case of emergency.
It comes with two years of warranty and also has 90days money-back guarantee as well.

Cons

The power of the motor is not very good. You might not do the high-intensity woodturning on this.
It comes with Mt1 driver. Mt2 would have been a better option.
The spare parts of the lathe are also not easily available. You also have to do minor adjustments once in a while for its effective operation.

W1704 lathe Related Questions (Must Read)

Can i make tobacco pipes on this lathe?
Yes, you can easily make tobacco pipes on it.

Is it suitable for making pens?
This lathe is most suitable for making pens only.

Is it suitable for longer pieces?
No, it is not suitable for longer pieces of wood. It is ideal for 12inches wood length.

What is the morris taper on this lathe?
MT1

How do we secure the bench?
Yes, it has three holes in the bottom which you can bolt down on the bench. It is well built and has very less vibration while in use.

Can I use it with 220V?
If you are plugging it with 220V, you need to convert it to 110V as it only operates on 110V.