Mini Wood Lathe Review / Draper WTL330A

InTheWorkshop....
Channel Shop Budget Wood Lathe review. We take a look at the Draper WTL330A Mini Wood Lathe and test it out.
#woodlathe
#lathereview

[@Jamieross00]

Thanks for the no-nonsense review. I'll be picking one up as my first lathe!

Hello my friend. A good choice. A nice wood lathe. Best wishes. Thank you for the introduction and detailed information. I wish you a nice new week. Take care of yourself. See you. Big greetings.

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks for watching Mehmet, best wishes David 🙂👍

@@InTheWorkshop 👏👏👏👏👏👏see you

[@Fossy35]

Good review Daivid, thank you. I thnk I have watched this video about 3 times now! Simple no nonsense and to the point with interesting pros and cons. Plus no background music! I am seriously considering one of these as my Parkside has finally died. I was looking at the wattage though and wondering if it is enough. All I do is turn finials about 3" inches diameter and 3.5 inches long from treated wood. The Parside was 500W where as this is only 220W I think. I wondered if you saw much difference? Also if the old ones had more plastic bits on it is it the same model number? I want the one like yours with metal components. Keep up the good work David and thank you again.

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks very much for watching 🙂👍

[@briansworkshop01]

Nice tool David and a great video and thanks for your honesty as always looking forward to some great video s thanks again and remember stay safe and make 🍺🍺👍👍

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks Brian, take care 🙂👍

[@CarsonWells123]

Nice one,, think I'll purchase this one,, thanks for review!

[@tomt9543]

Looks like a step up for you! I got my first lathe this year, a model similar to yours but different name, and it amazes me how quietly it runs! I got a good chuckle when you showed that 4 jaw chuck. A couple years ago I was given a 9x20 metal lathe, new, still in the shipping crate, but 20 years old at the time. Had a lot of extras with it, most of it good stuff, and that same 4 jaw was included! I’ve used other 4 jaw independent chucks, and trying to use this one made me come to the conclusion that it got into this shipping crate by accident, and was actually intended for use as a narrowboat anchor! Hope you’ve had happier experiences with yours! Thanks for posting!

[@InTheWorkshop]

Ha 😀 this isn't your narrowboat anchor is it Tom, I bought it used off Ebay 😉

[@tomt9543]

@@InTheWorkshop I hope you have better experiences with it than I have! I think replacing the bolts that pass through each jaw with very fine thread bolts would make it more user friendly. There seems to be no happy medium between too loose and too tight on mine! Your channel continues to be one of my favorites! Thanks!

[@wfcwfc1]

Fantastic video you have made my mind up going to get 1 of these thanks for great review

[@brianfreeman8290]

That, sir, was a masterclass in how to review products. Consider me subscribed !

[@robbieshields1563]

Another great video David, well spotted the design flaw with shavings blocking the motor cooling vent.

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks Robbie 👍

[@michaelplays2449]

Great tool David !! Enjoy , great review ......thanks

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thank you Michael 👍

[@glynprice3815]

You're right. As grown ups (sort of) we do know how to open a box.

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello David, Good review... I looks like a very nice machine... Thanks for sharing. Take care. Paul,,

[@InTheWorkshop]

Cheers Paul 👍

[@DIYTinkerer]

Hi ya, just a note, If the motor has brushes it probably isn't an induction motor.

[@snovku]

Nice bit of gear, David. Very similar to mine except for the variable speed. (Am I jealous? You betcha!) I will just have to keep swapping belts for the meantime. :-) Like you, I was impressed by how solid it is and how quiet the motor is. It really is a delight to use. Congratulations on such a useful purchase. Wooden Christmas gift projects on the horizon? Take care.

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks for watching Sandy, maybe some Xmas gift making 🙂👍

[@WeekendShedHead]

Great video David, very informative, Lathe looks really good for beginners like me.. especially with the variable speed 👍

[@InTheWorkshop]

The lathe is ideal for doing small jobs Rob, thanks for watching 👍

[@barrygill2213]

Looks great bit of kit 👍👍

[@onestepbeyond5221]

Nice video 👍 I've got the old Draper wtl12 and i use the plate to fix to a round plywood with sand paper stuck to it.. very useful for sanding.. i wonder if on yours you can take the black plastic cover off the backside to have a sanding disc at the same time running 🤔

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks for watching and the comment 👍 great idea, I would have a look to see if I could fit a disc sander but already have one 👍 all the best David

[@onestepbeyond5221]

@@InTheWorkshop your welcome, just an idea which could be useful.. Thank you for the video, have a great weekend 🤜🤛🔝

[@uniqko]

Very useful video

[@robertyboberty7495]

I’m sure manufacturers couldn’t do a better or more thorough review or tutorial, thanks.

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks very much Rob 👍

[@PhilsWorkshop1953]

Nice vid David just the job for your pens and small turnings

[@InTheWorkshop]

Cheers Phil, yeah should be just the job for pens 👍

[@danrogers9945]

Great review! I see these mini's all over while looking to buy one.this helped me quite a lot!i want to turn wood and epoxy resin projects. So i think i will make the jump up to the $450-500 dollar mark.(sorry from USA) .seems like you get quite much more lathe for that price! Any advise?thanks again!that was very informative and very well covered!im subscribed as of now!

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks Dan, if I were you I would take a look at Wortheffort KZbin channel as he's a very experienced woodturner. I think he recommends a Jet lathe in some of his videos. Thanks for watching David 🙂👍

[@Matthews_Media]

I ziptied a covid mask over my motor to act as a filter whilst also still allowing airflow

[@elioth.g.w2976]

Looks like a nice bit of kit . I need a bigger shed :(

[@pietjepuk9575]

Nice one David 👍👍👍 but why not get you a bigger one? (budget?) you can turn small things on a bigger one but not larger things on a small one 😂😉 and ones you get started with a lathe you will always find something new you can use on it (like different centers, plates,spurs,chucks, etc... woodturn chisels 😂😂)

[@InTheWorkshop]

Ha 😀 I would always like bigger and better but my wife would not be happy for me to spend hundreds on one tool

[@eyuptony]

Great little lathe, good review David. Ideal for what you want to use it for. Did you know the four jaw chuck would fit it prior to buying it or was it luck? Tony

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks Tony, I picked this Draper one because I knew it would fit. I was looking at an Axminster one but I would of ended up having to buy a chuck. Thanks for watching David 👍

[@charliekingpine3893]

Thanks for that nice one

[@Ian-gw2vx]

Looks good. Would you say it's worth the extra £100 or so over the Parkside lathe?

[@InTheWorkshop]

Yeah I think so, I haven't had the Parkside lathe but sure I have seen poor reviews and seen they are plastic bodies (this will be why they are so cheap). This Draper one is heavy metal but smaller. 👍

[@Ian-gw2vx]

@@InTheWorkshop Thanks. I might go for that then as I only have a small space in my shed.

[@theretrogeek2281]

I’m considering in buying one of these,did you ever turn small bowls with it? And how was it? Thanks

[@InTheWorkshop]

Sorry, I don't think I have turned a bowl on this lathe.

[@jonstuttard123]

Excellent video - I've been looking for a lathe upgrade from my starter lathe so this may be it! For the motor what about making a shround for it that protects it from shavings but still lets air circulate on your 3D printer? It would be a good video to watch :)

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks Jon, yeah I might print something off 🙂👍Take care David

[@adeh503]

Looks good for the money that lathe 👍 I'm new to your channel and just subscribed so you may have already done this but is there any chance you could do a video on sharpening the lathe chisels.... Cheers

[@InTheWorkshop]

Thanks Ade, I am making an allsorts video soon which will be including a homemade sharpening jig etc 👍

[@peterseward4930]

Is it possible to put a more powerful motor on the lathe?

[@Thesidingsworkshop]

Excellent video mate seems to be a great little lathe, what weight is it David? I might get one but limited on room so would have to be stored on brackets on side wall.

[@InTheWorkshop]

It's 21kg Dan, thanks for watching 👍

[@Thesidingsworkshop]

@@InTheWorkshop cheers 🍻

[@tonyf68]

When you were using the lathe, I noticed the belt and disc sander further along your bench. I'm hoping to get one of these in the next few months. Is yours a Clarke? Are you happy with it, has it been ok for you?

[@InTheWorkshop]

Hi Tony, the sander is a Ferrex one and I've had it a couple of years now. Touch wood I've had no problems with it but it's only used from time to time.

[@tonyf68]

@@InTheWorkshop that's good to know, thanks David, it's much appreciated.

[@tonyf68]

@@InTheWorkshop Hi David, with this Ferrex sander can the table be used with the belt as well as the disc? Aldi have got it on sale again (online) but their write-up doesn’t provide much information. It’s a good price though, £90.

[@InTheWorkshop]

Yes both the disc and belt turn at the same time.

[@tonyf68]

@@InTheWorkshop ok, thanks David.

[@theyorkshirelad.]

Im also like you and have the clarke lathe which i find ok but limited on stuff too do as no propper tail stock how do you compare this lathe to your clarke

[@InTheWorkshop]

My Clarke seems to have movement in it when you clamp work between the centres. It's noisy and vibrates. This lathe is completely solid and very quiet. The Clarke can hold much bigger pieces and run for a lot longer before the motor needs a rest. The only slight concern with the new mini lathe is how long the motor will last but this will obviously depend on how much use it gets. The mini lathe is made for working on small workpieces so would probably last well if not loaded with heavy lumps of timber. Hope this was of some help 👍

[@pietjepuk9575]

If you can get you're hands on a welder, make yourself some longer and curved toolrests from round stock 👍👍👍👍😉

[@InTheWorkshop]

I have 3 welders 😀