The R5 is a cast-iron benchtop woodturning lathe with electronic variable speed and a digital rpm readout. Its 550W motor holds torque across three pulley ranges from 650 to 3,800rpm, and the 305mm swing over a 457mm bed covers bowls, platters, spindles and pens. The 1" x 8tpi spindle and No 2 Morse tapers take standard chucks and centres, so it competes with mid-size benchtop lathes on capacity and rigidity rather than on portability. Owners rate it highly for smooth, quiet running and low vibration from the heavy castings.
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Owners of the R5 praise its solid, low-vibration build and the convenience of variable speed with a digital readout. It is rated 4.8 out of 5 across 38 ratings, with few complaints beyond the manual belt changes between speed ranges.
The R5 is a variable speed woodturning lathe with a 550W motor that delivers full torque at all speeds. Speed runs from 650 to 3800rpm, and a digital readout shows the current speed. It suits bowl, platter, vase and pen turning, as well as between-centres work.
The lathe is solid cast iron throughout. The castings are CNC machined so the headstock and tailstock align and the tool rest holder and tailstock slide smoothly along the bed. The drive spindle runs in extra wide roller bearings. The tailstock is hollowed out to accept drill bits for long hole boring.
A non-slip poly V belt drives the spindle. Three-step pulleys give three speed ranges for small, medium and large turnings. The hinge-mounted control box swings out of the way for full access to the motor pulley. The banjo, tool rest and tailstock are adjusted with locking levers that can be positioned out of the way while turning.
