Craftsman 3-Speed Mini Lathe (22106)
Buy it on Sears.com for $199.99

Craftsman 3-Speed Mini Lathe (22106) Reviews


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2.92 of 5 (by 12 reviewers)
Rating Summary | 55% of reviewers recommend (6 out of 12)

Pros
  • cheap (2)
Cons
  • poor quality and design (2)
Most Helpful Favorable Review

“This lathe is wonderful for someone wanting to get into turning.”

This lathe is priced at about half of what others are on the market. I have used this lathe a friend of mine has it and it runs very smoothly. The belt did break but like the other man said he went to a local hardware store and found a better belt. The machine is used for at least 3 hours everyday. I...

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Posted on Sep 21, 2009
Most Helpful Critical Review

“OK for the price”

Given that this unit is about half the price of other mini lathes on the market, I can look past it's shortcomings. For examplet, the tool rest is difficult to use and I snapped off one of the plastic handles used to adjust the tailstock on my first use. Also, as other reviewers have mentioned, the pen... read full review »
Posted on Apr 20, 2009

Craftsman 3-Speed Mini Lathe (22106) Reviews

Displaying all 10 reviews

“I've made a machining retrofit kit for the Craftsman Mini Lathe!”

I think the Sears Craftsman Mini-lathe has a lot of potential. It is such a shame that Sears saw fit to discontinue the model!   In the hopes that other current owners might be interested I have developed an alpha version kit of parts which locks into place into the lathe bed without requiring any modifications of the original lathe itself.  My retrofit is composed of a compound slide having both traverse and crosswise screw feed which could be turned either by manual cranks or by CNC motors.    Please contact me at i_am_useful#at#yahoo#dot#com if you are interested in having me develop...

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Posted on Mar 09, 2010

“Great Lathe”

I am new to the duck call making scene and found this lathe to be a good investment. I have always used my fathers Jet lathe to turn my calls. I didn't want to spend the extra hundred bucks because I found trhe Craftsman brand to be just as good at what I need it for. No it's not the best one on the market, but it gets the job done for me. I love it and eventually I will buy the Jet, but for right now, it's great!!!!
Posted on Jan 10, 2008

“parts”

the tool rest has got to be the worst one i have ever seen. it does not lock down even, and moves as you are working on a turning. the drive belt/oring broke on me after only turning two pens and three mineuature bowls, not even three hours of work, and now i cant find a replacement belt on the sears site.
Posted on Aug 18, 2008

“Works for Me”

I have used this lathe for the past year and it hasnt once had a problem. I use it at least 3 times a week for about 4-5 hours a day. The main thing I use it for is making solid hardwood fishing handles. Every handle I've made has turned out perfect. I bought different tools as the tools supplied where junk.After that everything was smooth. The other thing I use this for is for turning pens. I dont know what the other reviewers problems where but all my stuff fit with the machine no problem. I get all my pen equipment from Rockler and havent had compatibility issues yet. Overall for a begineer... read full review »
Posted on Feb 19, 2008

“Any good for metal?”

Just wondering if this lathe is ok for turning small metal parts ( 5/16'' - 1/2'' diameter), brass, bronze ect?
Posted on Jan 12, 2010

“not real happy”

I bought this lathe 2 years ago when my kids (13 & 12) wanted to learn to make pens. It arrived with 2 of the knobs broken off but since I opened the package (how else would I have kown?) I couldn't send it back without paying shipping. Since it was a small problem I fugired I'd just live with it. When the belt broke I tried to call in and get a replacement part. The model number isn't on the lathe anywhere.  It MIGHT be on the red label you see in the picture but that fell off in about a month. sorry - can't order a part without a model number.  Yes, I see it on the website but  I can't help...

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Posted on Dec 28, 2011

“Decent starter lathe, but several downsides.”

This was my first lathe, so it offers a decent introduction to woodturning.  But as other reviewers note, there are many problems.  The rest comes loose, the pen mandrel does not fit standard bushings, and the parts are not great quality.  Perhaps most irritating, though, were the instructions, which are absolutely incomprehensible unless you are already an accomplished woodturner.  (And if you were, you would not buy this lathe!)  If you know you plan to work on the lathe a lot, I suggest you spend more and get a better quality lathe.
Posted on Dec 16, 2011

“Wooden Toymakers Delight”

I make wooden toy heirlooms and for many years have been limited to purchasing turned parts because I just do not have the space for a full size lathe in my little toy shop. I can now turn my own parts. The compact Craftsman Mini Lathe meets my needs perfectly. It is ideal for turning smoke stacks and boilers for train locomotives, barrels, drums and logs for cargo. It also works well for turning wheels and detailing tires with tread markings. My doll cradles have gone from ordinary dowell spindles to dressed up turned spindles changing their look completely. The mini lathe is easy to set up and... read full review »
Posted on May 21, 2007

“Craftman Mini Lathe model 351.221060”

I have used Craftman tools for over 50 years. I was very dissapointed in this machine.The add said it had a pen mandral so that is what I wanted sto do, makr pens. The manddral was to big to use standard pen blanks. The tool rest would not stay in place the tightening screw was cross threaded. I actually never got to use this machine and am returning it.
Posted on Aug 10, 2007

“Disapponted”

I was searching for a mini-lathe to turn pens. This mini-lathe gave me the impression it was capable of doing just that. It even came with a pen mandrel - so it must be good for pen turning. RIght? Wrong! I am sure this lathe would be good for turning some items, but was not good for pen turning. When I bought my supplies for common pen turning, low and behold nothing fit. There was just enough difference in the Sears lathe so as to not work with common pen supplies from other companies. Save yourself the time and money (for shipping) and get yourself a real mini-lathe!
Posted on Apr 10, 2007

Reviews of Craftsman 3-Speed Mini Lathe (22106)

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