Sherline 4000-CNC/4100-CNC 8" Tabletop Lathe CNC-Ready vs Taig Micro Lathe II M1017
Technical comparison · Turning (lathe)
Two benchtop lathes for small work, with the same declared precision (0.0127 mm, the manufacturer's figure). What sets them apart is how you run them: the Sherline is CNC-ready but ships without stepper motors or a controller, while the Taig is fully manual.
| Parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Use tier | F2 — Intermediate | F2 — Intermediate |
| Price | ||
| Price (€) | ~800–1100 € | ~440–530 € |
| Universal specs | ||
| Dimensions (W×D×H) (cm) | 26.7 × – × 21.6 cm | 39.37 × 41.91 × – cm |
| Weight (kg) | 10.9 kg | — |
| Work area (mm) | 203 × 110 mm | — |
| Z-axis height (mm) | — | 228.6 mm |
| Voltage (V) | 240 V | — |
| Maximum speed | 2800 rpm | 7000 rpm |
| Declared precision | 0.0127 mm | 0.0127 mm |
| Category specs | ||
| Swing over bed (mm) | 90 mm | 114.3 mm |
| Distance between centers (mm) | 203 mm | 247.65 mm |
| Ecosystem | ||
| Cloud dependency | No | No |
| Software notes | The machine is prepared for CNC but ships without stepper motors or a CNC controller, which must be purchased separately. Control software is not included in the base configuration. | The lathe is entirely manual: no CNC control or software interface of any kind is included. The bundled motor drives the six-step V-belt transmission (525–5200 RPM); any additional speed regulation relies on an external inverter chosen by the user. |
The differences that matter
- Price: about €950 against about €485 → the Taig costs about €465 less, and the Sherline's price does not yet include motors or a controller.
- Swing over bed: 90 mm against 114.3 mm → the Taig takes thicker workpieces.
- Distance between centers: 203 mm against 247.65 mm → the Taig takes workpieces about 45 mm longer.
- CNC: prepared but without motors or controller against fully manual → only the Sherline can be automated later.
Which one to choose
Choose 4000-CNC/4100-CNC 8" Tabletop Lathe CNC-Ready if…
you turn by hand now and want to automate later, adding motors and a controller when you need them. Until then you work with a smaller diameter and a shorter length between centers than the Taig allows.
Choose Micro Lathe II M1017 if…
you turn by hand and want larger, longer workpieces for roughly half the money. CNC is off the table: the lathe has no control interface or software, and changing speed beyond the belt positions needs an external inverter.
Where to buy
MakerSpecs is an independent atlas. We don't sell products: the purchase links are the same as on the two product sheets and don't influence the verdict. The sheets have the complete data.