The best Black Friday buy for most home shops is a benchtop metal lathe, such as the VEVOR 7x14 with a 550W motor and variable speed; buy the lathe first, then budget for measuring tools and cutters.
Buying for someone else? See the Machinist Holiday Gift Guide 2026 for gifts by budget, from the big gift to stocking stuffers.
The best buy to watch for during the sale is a benchtop metal lathe, and the VEVOR 7x14 metal lathe is the all-round pick for most home shops: a 7 by 14 inch machine with a 550W motor, variable speed and a digital display.
VEVOR 7"x14" Metal Lathe
A 7 by 14 inch benchtop lathe with a 550W motor, variable speed to 2,250 RPM, a digital display and a 3-jaw chuck. The common first machine for small parts, bushings and hobby turning.
Check price on AmazonWhat is worth buying on Black Friday
Eight picks across the categories below, from budget to premium. Check the current price on the product page before you buy, and check your bench space and power supply first.
- Mid-range lathe: VEVOR 7x14 metal lathe
- Premium lathe: VEVOR 8.3x29.5 benchtop metal lathe
- Budget band saw: VEVOR portable band saw or WEN portable band saw (94396)
- Mid-range drill press: WEN 12 inch benchtop drill press (DP1263V) or VEVOR 12 inch benchtop drill press
- Budget angle grinder: Metabo HPT 4-1/2 inch angle grinder
- Mid-range bench grinder: WEN BG625V 6 inch variable speed bench grinder
- Premium mill: VEVOR 15.875 inch mill drill machine
- Budget tap and die set: OMT tap and die set (SAE and metric)
Black Friday metal lathe deals
Lathes are the big-ticket item in a small shop, which is why shoppers watch them in a sale. Buy the lathe before anything else, then add tooling as projects call for it.
Compare swing, bed length, motor power and gear type before you compare prices. The how to choose a mini lathe guide explains each spec, 7x14 vs 8x16 covers the size decision, and the best mini lathe and best benchtop metal lathe roundups list more models.
VEVOR Metal Lathe
A 750W brushless benchtop lathe with continuously variable speed to 2,500 RPM, metal gears and an LCD display. The longer bed handles longer shafts than a 7x14.
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VEVOR Metal Lathe 8.7 x 29.5 Inch/220 x 750MM Mini Metal Lathe 1.1KW...
A 1.1 kW benchtop lathe with infinitely variable speed and an LED screen, for people who have outgrown a 7x14.
Check price on AmazonWhich fits which buyer: Pick the 7x14 for small parts and a small bench, and a longer 8.3x29.5 or 8.7x29.5 if you turn longer shafts and have the space and the power supply for it.
What to skip: Buying a lathe with no budget left for measuring tools and cutters. Plan for a caliper, a tool set and a chuck upgrade. See the best digital caliper and mini lathe first upgrades pages.
Black Friday band saw deals
A band saw is how stock gets cut to length, and a portable one is the cheapest way to start. Bi-metal blades and a slow, steady feed matter more than the badge on the saw.
See the best band saw for metal page and the portable band saw vs 4x6 horizontal comparison before you buy.
VEVOR Portable Band Saw
A corded 10A variable-speed handheld band saw with a 5 inch cutting capacity for tube, pipe, rebar and plate. A budget way to cut stock to length.
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WEN Portable Band Saw for Metal
A 10A variable-speed handheld band saw for metal from a long-time budget tool brand.
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DEWALT Portable Band Saw
A 10A deep-cut portable band saw with a 5 inch capacity, from a name with wide parts and blade availability.
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WEN Metal Band Saw with Stand
A stand-mounted metal-cutting band saw for people who cut a lot of stock and want repeatable square cuts.
Check price on AmazonWhich fits which buyer: A handheld portable suits occasional cutting and tight storage. A stand-mounted saw suits repeat cuts to length.
What to skip: Saws sold without any information on blades or replacements. Check that bi-metal blades in the right length are easy to buy.
Black Friday drill press deals
A drill press does what a hand drill cannot: straight, square holes at a controlled speed. Variable speed and a firm table matter for metal, where the wrong RPM burns bits.
Compare swing, speed range and quill travel, and see the best drill press for metal page. The RPM calculator turns bit size and material into a speed.
SKIL 6.2 Amp 10 In. 5-Speed Benchtop Drill Press with Laser Alignment...
A 5-speed 6.2A drill press with laser alignment and a work light. A compact entry for light metal and wood work.
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WEN 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press
A cast-iron 12 inch variable-speed drill press with a laser and LED work light. The variable speed matters for drilling metal, where slower is usually right.
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VEVOR 12 in Benchtop Drill Press
A cast-iron 12 inch variable-speed drill press with a 0 to 45 degree tilting table and a laser.
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JET 12-Inch Benchtop Drill Press
A 12 inch variable-speed drill press with a digital RPM readout and a 5 year warranty.
Check price on AmazonWhich fits which buyer: The SKIL suits a small bench and light work, the WEN and VEVOR are the mid-range pair with variable speed, and the JET is the step up.
What to skip: Drill presses with a plastic base or a flimsy table. Rigidity is what keeps holes accurate.
Black Friday angle grinder and bench grinder deals
Grinders are the cheapest tools on this page and the ones people replace most often. An angle grinder cuts and cleans up stock, and a bench grinder shapes lathe tool bits and sharpens drills.
Wheel guards and eye protection are not optional. See the best bench grinder for lathe tools page and the how to grind an HSS lathe tool guide.
Metabo HPT 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder
A 6.2A grinder that includes five grinding wheels and a hard case. A solid first grinder for cutting and cleaning up metal.
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Makita 9557PB 4-1/2" Paddle Switch Angle Grinder
A 7.5A paddle-switch 4-1/2 inch grinder at 11,000 RPM. The paddle switch stops the wheel when you let go.
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WEN BG625V 2.5-Amp 6-Inch Variable Speed Bench Grinder with Flexible...
A 6 inch bench grinder with variable speed and a flexible work light. Variable speed is useful for grinding lathe tool bits without overheating them.
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DEWALT DW758 8-Inch Bench Grinder
An 8 inch bench grinder from a well-known brand, for heavier tool and stock grinding.
Check price on AmazonWhich fits which buyer: Choose a corded angle grinder with a guard and a paddle or side switch. Choose a variable-speed bench grinder if you grind tool bits, because slower speeds cut down on overheating.
What to skip: Grinders with no wheel guard or with worn wheels. Replace a cracked wheel immediately. Shop safety covers the basics.
Black Friday milling machine and tap and die deals
A milling machine is the second machine most home shops add, after the lathe. It is a bigger commitment in space and money, so it is worth waiting for a good deal on one.
Read the best benchtop mill page first. Tap and die sets are a cheap accessory purchase, and the best tap and die set and tap drill calculator help you use them.
VEVOR 15.875-Inch Mill Drill Machine
A 2 HP benchtop mill-drill with adjustable speed from 150 to 2,560 RPM, a rotating vise, a laser and a work light. A first milling machine for light work.
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OMT Tap and Die Set
A thread cutting and repair kit covering M3 to M12 and #4 to 1/2 inch in coarse and fine threads. A cheap way to own most of the common tap sizes.
Check price on AmazonWhich fits which buyer: A mill-drill suits flat, square and slotted work. A tap and die set suits anyone who threads holes and repairs fasteners.
What to skip: A mill bought before you have the bench, the vise and the cutters for it. Budget for tooling as well as the machine.
Is Black Friday a good time to buy shop tools?
It can be. Lathes, mills, band saws and drill presses are the kind of big-ticket tools sale shoppers tend to watch, and last year's models are where deals most often show up. Small items like taps, bits and gauges rarely change much.
Plan the shop before you shop. A lathe on a flimsy bench is a poor machine, and a power tool with no safety gear is a hazard. Check the current price on the exact model, then make sure the return window covers the time you need to set it up and test it. Our beginner lathe shop build and setting up a home metal shop guide help you plan what to buy.
Shop Amazon's Black Friday deals
Amazon's deals page shows what is live right now. These searches jump straight to each category:
Shop Amazon's Black Friday deals
- Metal lathes
- Portable band saws
- Drill presses
- Angle grinders
- Bench grinders
- Milling machines
- Tap and die sets
- Digital calipers
Frequently asked questions
When does Black Friday start on Amazon?
Amazon usually runs its Black Friday event over the week of Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, and some early deals appear before that. Check the deals page to see what is live, and compare the machine specs rather than the headline reduction.
Are metal lathes cheaper on Black Friday?
Some may be. Lathes are a popular sale category, but deals depend on the model and the seller. Check the current price on the product page, compare swing, bed length, motor and gear type, and confirm what is included, since chucks and tool posts vary.
Should I wait for Cyber Monday to buy a lathe?
Not usually. Deals tend to run across the whole week, so buy when you find the right machine at a price you are comfortable with. Make sure the return window gives you time to set the machine up and inspect it for shipping damage.
What is the best metal lathe for a beginner?
A 7 by 14 inch benchtop lathe with variable speed is the usual starting point, such as the VEVOR 7x14. It handles small parts and hobby work without the bench space or power needs of a bigger machine. Budget for measuring tools and cutters too.
Is it worth buying a milling machine on Black Friday?
It can be, because mills are large purchases with a lot of choice. Buy the lathe first if you do not own one, check that your bench and floor can take the weight, and budget for a vise and cutters, which are not usually included.
