Sherline Precision Jewelers Lathe

The 8″ tabletop lathe is an ideal precision tool for jewelers and gem cutters working on small, detailed components such as rings, settings, mandrels, bezels, bushings, and custom fixtures. It can turn parts up to 3.5″ in diameter over the bed or 1.88″ over the carriage, with 8″ of distance between centers, providing ample capacity for most jewelry and lapidary work without unnecessary machine size. For jewelry applications, we often recommend the 8″ tabletop lathe over our 17″ model. The additional bed length of the 17″ lathe is rarely needed for typical jeweler or gem-cutting tasks, and its longer layout requires reaching farther to operate the Z-axis handwheel. The compact design of the 8″ lathe keeps both handwheels close to the work area, allowing for greater control, improved ergonomics, and more precise hand-fed cuts during fine finishing operations. The lathe features an electronic speed control that provides continuously variable spindle speeds from 70 to 2,800 RPM without belt changes, making it easy to dial in the correct speed for delicate materials and small-diameter tools. A secondary pulley position is available when additional low-RPM torque is needed for tougher materials or heavier cuts. Despite its compact footprint, the machine is rigid and stable, delivering the smooth, controlled operation required for jewelry-scale precision.

Typical Jewelry & Gem-Cutting Applications

Turning and sizing ring blanks and bands
Machining ring mandrels and expanding mandrels
Cutting and finishing bezels, settings, and prongs
Making collet-held parts and small precision components
Truing and modifying stone setting tools
Fabricating custom jigs, fixtures, and specialty tools
Light turning of precious and non-precious metals
Working with wax, plastic, aluminum, and steel for prototypes and tooling

Designed for jewelers seeking a professional-grade mini lathe, this tabletop machine combines desktop convenience with true machine-tool accuracy. Made in the USA and backed by knowledgeable customer support, it is capable of machining wood, plastic, aluminum, and steel, making it a versatile addition to any jewelry or gem-cutting workshop. Its small size makes it especially well suited for space-limited studios and home shops, and it can be easily stored when not in use.

From: $1,498.52 See More

Expanding Ring Mandrel

Sherline Products, in collaboration with Bryan D. Drummond (gem cutter and goldsmith), designed this Expanding Ring Mandrel specifically for making and modifying rings on the Sherline lathe.

The mandrel is manufactured from 12L14 steel and features a black oxide finish for rust prevention.

It is designed for use with stepped ring collets manufactured by Ring Tech (Faceting Collets Stepped). These Ring Tech collets are known for their excellent quality and superior design, and, like our machines, are made in the USA. If you buy collets from Ringtech, tell them Sherline sent you.

If you are using a brand of collet that is shorter than the Ring Tech collets, the mandrel includes a spacer washer that fits against the shoulder of the mandrel. This allows shorter collets to be properly positioned at the front of the mandrel.

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