Harbor Freight 10"x18" Wood Lathe Unboxing and First Impressions

This is the Harbor Freight 10x18 inch 5 Speed 1/2 HP Benchtop Wood Lathe (Harbor Freight item # 65345). And also the separate 8 Piece Wood Lathe Turning Tool Kit (Item # 62674). I am unboxing these here for the first time, and giving some first impressions.

[@just-dl]

Mikey - I haven't noticed comments about any updates...do you still have a favorable opinion of the lathe & tools? I'm about to rummage your video list, but, I though a reply here may be helpful to others justing finding this vid. Thank you, kind sir, for posting this!

[@MikeyMakey]

Thank you! I am still very happy with the lathe. I see that I've had it for almost a year and a half (wow, time flies), so it's high time for me to comment that it's still working well. I have been making a lot of pens and have been selling quite a few. I've made enough money with this lathe to buy a larger one if I was inclined, but honestly have no reason to at this point. I guess that is my way of saying that the lathe is working just fine! I'd absolutely buy it again. I'm still using the Harbor Freight turning tools, although I've added a handful of others too since last year. I made 4 pens last week, and I used the biggest gouge almost exclusively for those pens. You should have a grinder handy for sharpening (which is true for any lathe setup). I have also turned some small bowls, and I recommend buying a bowl gouge for that (not offered by Harbor Freight that I know of). If I was hunting for something to complain about, having to manually change belts to change the speed is a bit of a drag, and that means I probably don't change speeds as often as I should. I should slow it down for sanding but I don't. I do slow it down for safety, like when putting a bowl blank on the lathe. Last winter I had a few issues when the motor didn't get up to its full speed until I messed with the belt. I don't know if that was a motor issue, or if the belt not positioned right on the pulleys, or what. I never really figured it out, but the problem went away when I adjusted the belt. That did happen 2 or 3 times, and always when the temperatures were cold. Thanks for asking. I'm still happy with it!

[@just-dl]

@@MikeyMakey Thanks! Well, that makes up my mind! :-) I need to keep my costs low, and between lathe, tools, chucks, extra tools and some decent wood...well, I need to pinch pennies somewhere! I'm willing to swap belts for a good cause....like saving money! and the variable speed lathes are typically $200 more for comparable sizes. That buys a lot of accessories! I'm guessing I'd probably park it on the 3rd/middle speed for most stuff. Is that what you find? Or, is there another speed that seems to be your "go to?" HF has some tools (set of 8) that look a bit better than the basic. Still only $80, so, that's a go in my book. As you say, no bowl gouge. Is there a wood type you'd suggest for practicing? I think ash is relatively hard and relatively cheap; but, I don't know if it's good for turning. Glad your experience has been good with it...I'm excited about getting one. I love wood working, but, have limited space, so I think this may help scratch the itch! (And get my daughters in the shop!) :-)

[@MikeyMakey]

@@just-dl Ha, cool! I think you'll have a lot of fun with it. You're right - I don't think moving the belt should deter someone from getting started. This is definitely a hobby that you can grow into by upgrading tools and chucks and lathes as you need to. Generally speaking the belt position has mostly to do with the diameter of the piece you're turning. Big things need to turn slower. Small things can turn faster. Imagine a 10" circle spinning on an axis through the center. A spot that is 1" from the center is spinning more slowly than a point 5" from the center. When I make pens, I use the highest speed because I'm only turning a piece of wood that's 1" square at most when I start. But if you put something closer to 10" in diameter you should slow that thing down. Also if the weight is off-balance (like, if you're turning a weird-shaped chunk of something) you'll want to start slow because it'll be throwing the weight around as it turns. Your lathe might jump off the workbench if you don't. :) Do be careful - as a friend of mine put it, "We're spinning wood at high rates of speed and poking at it with sharp bits of metal." You'll get catches, and surprises will happen. Stuff (bowls, shards, whatever) WILL fly off the lathe. :) I have a rather pretty little bowl that flew off the chuck and broke into 3 pieces. I glued it back together, stuck it back on the lathe, and finished it. After inventing some creative new swear words... I always wear a minimum of safety glasses. I have also started always wearing an RZ mask. I found that when I don't, I am coughing later from the sawdust. I can FEEL a difference later. I want to keep using my lungs for awhile, so might as well protect them. It also makes me feel a little bit safer - like there's at least something between my face and the chunk of wood that wants to break my teeth. A face shield is undoubtedly even better. As for what wood to turn - Walnut is a lovely wood to turn if I was to pick a suggestion. Soft pine is not fun in my experience because it's too soft - I've found it tough to get a clean cut without tearout. It's a lot of fun to turn the exotic stuff from central/south America. Cocobolo is an easy and beautiful wood to turn. Check out the wood database and you can get an idea of the hardness and properties of just about any wood before you get started: www.wood-database.com/ Have fun! :)

[@just-dl]

@@MikeyMakey thank you!! great info, and I appreciate the safety comments. I tend to got a little light-and-loose in the shop. may be time to put that to bed, and play by the rules....

[@jamesmoore3346]

@@just-dl I have the 8"X12" mini lathe. I don't believe HF offers it anymore. Mine is 3 years old this january. The little lathe has paid for itself a dozen +times over and never an issue. Lately I have been looking at the next size up, either 10X18 or 12X18. The price on the HF 10X18 is hard to beat. I bought a chuck from Penn State Industries, it opens up the ability of the lathe. They sell a very good line of chisels, ( Benjamins Best Brand) at a very affordable price. I would recommend you check them out. I had bought the cheap set of HF chiesels and question if their really high speed steel, need sharping alot. The chisels fron Penn State hold a good edge much longer. Just wanted to let you know about Penn State for supplies. They sell a good line of accessories for wood turning, at a very affordable price. Oh yeah, as I said I'm looming to add the next size up. Finally comes down to the penn state turncrafer or the nova comet. Probably the first of the year, got to get past Christmas first, LOL.....

[@MrChuckballard]

You may have figured this out already, but just in case you haven't, the lever that tightens the tool rest pulls out so you can adjust the the position of the handle when tightening and loosening the the tool rest to avoid it getting in the way of the chrome lever. I found this out by accident myself shortly after I got the lathe.

[@theeggmancometh]

I just ordered this as an entry-level lathe (pandemic has shipping times pushed back a bit). I'm excited to get it and start turning, and I appreciate having an idea of what is involved in setup.

[@chrisfintel4029]

The black plastic handel is a quick release handle if it's being blocked and can't tighten you simply push it in the direction that it's mounted and the shaft will lock in place and allow you to spin the handle to a new position out of the way.

[@tennesseestargazer]

I have one and love it for a lot of small projects I turn.

[@Shoerona]

Can't wait to see what you make! I can say that your tools have way better edges than mine did out of the box. I didn't bother using them before I gave them a decent sharpening, but yours look pretty close to OK.

[@Al-Fiallos]

Hi Mikey Makey. I've had one of these lathes for years now. Still love it to this day. JMHO, Harbor Freight has 'trash' and 'treasures'. This one is a treasure and a steal at that price, especially if purchased on sale or with the 20 to 25% coupon. OBTW, I also own the Harbor Freight 8" x 12" (actually an 8" x 14") metal cutting lathe and it has been an absolute treasure. Both lathes worked straight out of the box with no mods or issues.

[@MikeyMakey]

Al I feel the same way! I have the 14” HF woodworking bandsaw and I have no problems with it either. That one took me 4 or 5 hours to assemble, but it has run well.

[@flurng]

I own this exact model myself, and have been very pleased with it! Is it perfect? No, but what product ever is? Overall, I find it quite useful, and certainly a fantastic value for the price! P.S. - Great job on the review; you hit all the important points & kept a fair, unbiased point of view throughout!

[@flurng]

Update: I invested in a 3-jaw, self-centering chuck from Rockler, & now it is the PERFECT bowl-turning system! Highly recommend getting a chuck for this unit - as a bonus, I no longer need the faceplate, so I turned an 8' disk on it, attached a piece of sandpaper & now I have a disk sander!

[@espressotom]

Enjoy turning. Looking forward to seeing what you make.

[@user-cz8ww7ch9h]

It reminds me of those wildlife documentary voices. The bird sound made more haha

[@leegreen9750]

At 6:30, the word you are looking for is "dull". Anything not sharp is dull. Slightly sharp, not quite sharp, almost sharp - is dull.

[@OEF_Vet_0331]

This was a great video by the way

[@cambam2391]

This was an amazing quality video 👍🏽

[@MikeyMakey]

Thanks!! :)

[@OEF_Vet_0331]

My knock out tool has a plastic stem. Just got this lathe and trying to educate myself on it.. just noticed that though

[@thatsawesomethankyou9582]

That'sAwesome!ThankYou!

[@JeffWattel]

You are the MVP

[@kermitdfrog1511]

I was disappointed that it didn't have some sort of jaw chuck. I ordered a mt2 4 jaw self centered chuck on ebay from china for about $150 and now it does all I need it to. Nice little lathe but a grip chuck is a must.

[@MikeyMakey]

I agree! You're limited with what you can do until you get a chuck, or mandrel, or whatever. I bought the "economy" chuck from Penn State Industries when it was on sale, and it's fine. After having used it for awhile there are things I'd choose differently next time (I wish it could be tightened with one hand), but it does the job for now.

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

now i got to look fer the actuality video using it,nice video yes thank you sir God bless

[@MikeyMakey]

overbuilt automotive There are a couple of pen making videos on my channel that show this lathe in use. Hope this helps!

[@davidmsmith268]

OMG, I thought I recognized that voice. Yup, two cubicles down. I just bought this and it's coming in next week. Might have to pick your brain.

[@MikeyMakey]

Ha! Howdy, Neighbor. :)

[@davidaubin3449]

Perfect video, thank you

[@joelprestonsmith]

Dang. I watched this hoping to see how the headstock is removed, to insert a chuck. Do you have a video that shows that? Thanks for covering the setup.

[@MikeyMakey]

If you look at about 1:10 in this video, I screwed the faceplate on. To install a chuck, the process is the same as the faceplate. You would leave the faceplate off, and screw the chuck on instead. Easy, breezy!

[@nashquinn6800]

Hey Mikey - thanks for this great video. Do you know the tool post diameter of this lathe (the diameter of the round part of the tool rest)? I'm considering this lathe for small-scale metal spinning, but I don't know if I'll be able to find a tool rest that fits it. Thanks so much!

[@freddeneau4697]

Very good video. I learned a lot. I would be very interested in your review of this lathe.

[@thebigwrench6123]

push the button on the plastic handle they work like a headstock handles on a bridgeport

[@CPBuilds]

Nice box-cutter you opened that box with......i bet the guy who gave you that is pretty swell :) Great video man....that lathe doesn't look half bad.

[@meanjoegreen4925]

needs to give myself 1 also so i can say he is a great man also .lol

[@CPBuilds]

I wanna find out too so I can also say he's a swell guy :)

[@TimKollat]

I want someone to say Im a swell guy, who can I send a nice box cutter to?

[@chrisgriffith1573]

I've heard the Harbor Freight lathe is a good base, but never to use their chisels, or accessories. Buying aftermarket precision spindles, and tooling accessories will make a great lathe setup.

[@patriciarasmussen6739]

Well i figured that out, i wasn't pushing hard enough on the lever. New problem, the tail stock will not extend. I have taken it apart but no go.

[@Rebel9668]

I can crank that handle on the end all day long and nothing happens...Oh, the shaft inside turns alright, but it never comes out any. Am I doing something wrong or did I just get a bad part?

[@heru-deshet359]

Thanks! I'm getting one.

[@MikeyMakey]

Cool! I have not regretted buying mine.

[@sgtJOOSEcapeS]

Your voice sounds very familiar 😂... Like simple history voice

[@MikeyMakey]

That's not me. I'll have to check it out though. Thanks!

[@johndowns4161]

What size thread is the chuck thread

[@MikeyMakey]

1inch x 8tpi

[@patrickkelly4851]

Do you know if the threads are 1 by 8 TPI

[@matteosgaggero5836]

Hi Patrick I have the same lathe with a different brand bought in New Zealand. The thread on my headstock is 1"×8TPI and today I received my first scroll chuck which I discovered didn't need an insert as it has the same thread ( Teknatool Precision Midi 48111 chuck). Thought you might be interested since there are not many info out there on these lathes. Cheers

[@MikeyMakey]

Yes it is!

[@rayp450]

I have this lathe from a Craigslist purchase and it didn't have any of the accessories included. Does anyone know the diameter of the knockout rod? Thanks in advance !

[@reaper060670]

Hey Mikey.. Hope ur well . Could I ask what the price of this Wood Lathe came to bcos I'm looking at maybe buying one in the future and some price points from a beginner point of view would help me out.. Thanks man. Oh btw if anybody in the comment section knows the price of this Lathe I would be grateful for it.. Thanks in advance guys..

[@misterx6490]

Second video about this lathe that fails to show the tool in use. At least the audio didn't cut in & out and you zoomed in on things and showed them instead of only mentioning them.

[@MikeyMakey]

There are a couple of pen making videos on my channel that show this lathe in use. Hope that helps!

[@javedrawoot4420]

Greatttt Lathe & Demo.. Dear Sir, May I know the price you bought this Lathe... Also I want to know that can we extend the bed LENGTH of this Lathe.. Usually my I am turning pillars upto 20 to 22 Inches..Diameter no issues.. Kindly Advice. Thanks & Best Regards

[@MikeyMakey]

Hello! This was a little over $200 for me when using a coupon at Harbor Freight. This is a 10" x 18" lathe, meaning you can turn up to 10" diameter, and up to 18" long stock.

[@cyrnus]

I just got this model lathe as my first lathe for Christmas and am wondering if you got a jawed chuck for yours and if so what kind

[@MikeFeeney]

I did get a chuck. I bought an economy chuck from Penn State Industries. It's ok, does the job, but you have to use two hands to tighten it with two tools. Some chucks tighten with one hand, using a tool that you twist and that's much more convenient when you're trying to mount a blank to the chuck. Sometimes I wish I had a third hand. :) Are you enjoying your lathe? I realize this is a late reply.

[@joekirk167]

what comes with it

[@sanchitchitare6497]

What's the price? I am from India,, is it available by online?

[@MikeyMakey]

It's currently $330 USD. It's on Harbor Freight's website at www.harborfreight.com/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html.

[@patriciarasmussen6739]

When I put the belt on the two wheels to increase speed, it won't tighten. What am I missing. Sparkeytn

[@MikeyMakey]

patricia rasmussen At about 2:05 in the video you can see the belt tensioning lever. Loosen the bolt, add the appropriate tension to the lever, and hold it there while retightening the bolt. Does that help? I found I didn't need to use much pressure with mine.

[@patriciarasmussen6739]

I am going to the little wheels right? Unless I don't need to. I doesn't. know as this is a first. It currently is in the middle like your picture.

[@MikeyMakey]

@@patriciarasmussen6739 This is a very late reply - sorry. But you use different pulley positions depending on the size of the material that you are turning. You can turn smaller spindles faster than larger blanks (like bowls). And you may want to use slower speeds for things like sanding or finishing.

[@03143592]

Could you please tell the price of the lathe with tool set , thank u

[@williammorrow2135]

if you wait for it to be on sale and use an online coupon; I got mine for under $200

[@fishsticks88]

Sharp enough.

[@davidrivera9602]

Donde puedo conseguir ese TORNO?

[@carlosvalenzuela7014]

Yo vivo en Mexico y lo acabo de comprar en Mercado Libre, haciendo la conversion a dolares aprox. 285 UDS, $5,710 pesos mexicanos

[@reltcl1995]

How much is it

[@dylanventura4234]

Can anyone help my face plate is stuck

[@abdrahman-ze8kf]

What price a lathe and where you buy it thanks

[@tvgbrowns2527]

abd rahman i think somewhere about 350 maybe cheaper but its at harbor freight or harborfreight.com

[@MikeyMakey]

I think with a coupon it was just over $200, and it was purchased at Harbor Freight.

[@tvgbrowns2527]

Mikey Makey have you had any issues with it?

[@MikeyMakey]

@@tvgbrowns2527 No. In cold temperatures the motor has struggled to get up to speed a few times but I was able to fuss with the belt tension and then it got up to speed. But it's still going strong with no significant issues so far.

[@sanchitchitare6497]

Please reply to me