Powermatic PM2014 Reviews?

[Rick Helmig]

Greetings,
I'm interested in this new powermatic model PM2014. I believed it was just released (April 2020). Despite that, I'd still expect to find at least some in-depth reviews or video demos. But other then a few small forum mentions and the manufacture's promo video, I can't seem to find any hands-on analysis.

Does anyone have one of these and can share their impressions, likes, and dislikes?

I mostly turn mid-size bowls in the 10"-18" range. Given it's foot print and with the added outboard capability, it's seems suitable for my needs, budget, and my small work area.
Specs:
http://www.powermatic.com/us/en/p/powermatic-2014-lathe-and-stand/1792014AK

Thanks!
Rick

 

[hockenbery]

In a normal year the new lathes would get a lot of exposure at the symposium.
@Jeff Brockett reported having a prototype to evaluate.
People with Jeff’s experience will be hard to find.

I don’t expect to see one anytime soon.

 

[john lucas]

There have been a few odds and ends posts on facebook of people.buying the lathe but no reviews that I know of.

 

[Glenn Lefley]

I see a tool craze post.

 

[Kelson Ditch]

Look up Billy Burt (the Messy Studio) on Youtube. He has an unboxing/assembly video and a review video of the PM2014.

 

[Glenn Lefley]

Look up Billy Burt (the Messy Studio) on Youtube. He has an unboxing/assembly video and a review video of the PM2014.

Boy. I’d be scared to use a lathe that light. In the video the sound of the thin metal shelf resonating and the whole lathe shaking when starting up a 12 inch diameter piece of out of balance wood. I guess I’m just to spoiled with my Oneway 850lb lathe.

The first first thing I would do is bolt that lathe to the floor or add a shelf full of sand. But for 2,000 us you would think it would weigh a lot more to counter act vibration and walking across shop floor.

 

[Rick Helmig]

Look up Billy Burt (the Messy Studio) on Youtube. He has an unboxing/assembly video and a review video of the PM2014.

Thanks, Kelson. That was EXACTLY what I was looking for! I guess I was just a few hours too early from when I searched and when those videos were posted. Much appreciated.

 

[Rick Helmig]

Boy. I’d be scared to use a lathe that light. In the video the sound of the thin metal shelf resonating and the whole lathe shaking when starting up a 12 inch diameter piece of out of balance wood. I guess I’m just to spoiled with my Oneway 850lb lathe.

The first first thing I would do is bolt that lathe to the floor or add a shelf full of sand. But for 2,000 us you would think it would weigh a lot more to counter act vibration and walking across shop floor.

Thanks, Glenn. I agree totally. For that price point, I expected more. Too bad.

 

[Kelson Ditch]

I ordered one before I found Billy's videos, to replace my current lathe. The stand struck me as the weak point, but I figure I can bolt it to the floor and/or build a underneath shelf to add mass. Given that I'm currently turning on a Craftsman 'tube' lathe, this should be a significant upgrade.

 

[Glenn Lefley]

Thanks, Glenn. I agree totally. For that price point, I expected more. Too bad.

Yes for $2.000 US dollars. I could not believe he was saying how good it was in his reviews while listening to the thin metal noises in the stand, and watching it run across the floor with only a 12 inch blank in it. He was even mentioning you had to stick your finger down the banjo hole to reset the two pieces of metal when you change out tool rests. I believe he mentioned the ways where a little on the thin size too, but I only watched part of video. It was like he was a powermatic salesman demoing the lathe. Pointing out imperfections but talking them down like they where no big deal and one could easily live with them.
He was even comparing it to his comet lathe.

 

[Dean Center]

Rick, you say you turn 10-18", but the 2014 only has a 14" throw, which means it could reasonably only turn a 12" bowl. Am I missing something?

 

[hockenbery]

He was even mentioning you had to stick your finger down the banjo hole to reset the two pieces of metal when you change out tool rests.

This is the same pinch nut lock that is used on the Robust, the first Powermatic and now on the current Powermatic and bigger jets. It is a solid lock but is free to slide without a tool rest in place and the weight of the handle will close it blocking the hole

what owners learn to do is open the lock an extra turn and not bump the banjo until the next toolrest is in place.
A cool thing is that without a tool rest in place the whole mechanism slides out so it can be inserted from the other side to move the locking handle if it was in the way.

as Oneway owner I let the lock handle drop when I forget on these lathes then I have to open the lock and push the nut blocking the hole to the side.

You are just spoiled using a ONEWAY banjo... I know I am....

 

[Glenn Lefley]

This is the same pinch nut lock that is used on the Robust, the first Powermatic and now on the current Powermatic and bigger jets. It is a solid lock but is free to slide without a tool rest in place and the weight of the handle will close it blocking the hole

what owners learn to do is open the lock an extra turn and not bump the banjo until the next toolrest is in place.
A cool thing is that without a tool rest in place the whole mechanism slides out so it can be inserted from the other side to move the locking handle if it was in the way.

as Oneway owner I let the lock handle drop when I forget on these lathes then I have to open the lock and push the nut blocking the hole to the side.

You are just spoiled using a ONEWAY banjo... I know I am....

Haha . It’s all I’ve ever known. I’ve often wondered why I see some high end lathes with a Oneway banjo on them. Now I know!

 

[Glenn Lefley]

Rick, you say you turn 10-18", but the 2014 only has a 14" throw, which means it could reasonably only turn a 12" bowl. Am I missing something?

I believe a 2014 will turn a 20 inch bowl but only a 14 inch spindle.

 

[hockenbery]

this is a 14” swing lathe.

Powermatic nomenclature has been
the first two digits distance between centers
the last 2 digits swing

3520 - 35” between centers. 20” swing
2020. - 20” between centers 20” swing
2014. 20” between centers. 14” swing

page from Powermatic

 

[GRJensen]

Look up Billy Burt (the Messy Studio) on Youtube. He has an unboxing/assembly video and a review video of the PM2014.

Here's a link to Billy Burt's review:

View: https://youtu.be/KZqfribSNYw

 

[Glenn Lefley]

this is a 14” swing lathe.

Powermatic nomenclature has been
the first two digits distance between centers
the last 2 digits swing

3520 - 35” between centers. 20” swing
2020. - 20” between centers 20” swing
2014. 20” between centers. 14” swing

page from Powermatic

View attachment 32981

Will that’s confusing. I’m just too use to Oneway terms.
All Oneway the first numbers are swing and last two numbers are length. Like the 2436 is 24 inch bowl and 36 inch spindle. I quess they had to be different.
In that case I guess for $2,000 with a 14 inch max swing it is not that bad of a deal for the quality. I assumed from video it was a 20 inch lathe and it was walking across the shop with only a 12 inch piece of wood on it. And could not imagine what would happen if they went larger.

 

[Joe Kaufman]

In the specifications above, third from bottom, Motor Phase = 1. I believe the input power is single phase, the motor is 3 phase.

 

[Rick Helmig]

Rick, you say you turn 10-18", but the 2014 only has a 14" throw, which means it could reasonably only turn a 12" bowl. Am I missing something?

I mentioned the outboard turning capability. That would have gotten me to the 18".

 

[GRJensen]

In the specifications above, third from bottom, Motor Phase = 1. I believe the input power is single phase, the motor is 3 phase.

That is correct. I don't have one, but I am contemplating adding a PM2014 to my shop.

 

[Jeff Brockett]

I had the Powermatic 2014 lathe prototype in my shop for several weeks prior to it being release for sale. Several local woodturners ranging in skill from beginner to professional came and put the lathe through it's paces. All of us agreed that the PM2014 (14" swing with a 20" bed) was a well made piece of equipment. The moveable headstock, remote switch, and indexing feature built in to the remote switch were all pluses. The stand is adjustable and the lathe with stand weighs in at around 275 pounds. I have had the opportunity to test drive several mid sized lathes and if you put an out of round blank on any of them they will vibrate. Having owned a couple of different lathes my best recommendation is that I plan to purchase a PM2014 lathe (already own a PM3520!) and based on the testing reviews and comments of those who tried it out would rate it a 4.5 out of a 5 scale. Please PM me with any questions you might have. Full disclosure I did not receive any compensation from JPW Industries and have no affiliation with them.

 

[john lucas]

Jeff. Do you know if any of the 3520 parts will fit that lathe, like the 18" bed extension. Are the bed rails the same so that accessories I made to lock onto the rails of my Powermatic might fit. How about the tool rest post size. Is it 1". I'm very interested in that lathe.

 

[Jeff Brockett]

John, I don't believe any of the accessories that fit the PM3520 will fit the PM2014. The tool rest is 1", thread is 1 1/4 x 8 and #2 morse taper on both headstock and tailstock. There is an optional bed extension. What I really like was the moveable headstock and the fact that the lathe operated on 110 volt power. I tried to stall the motor out by hogging down with heavy cuts and it kept on running fine. I was able to move it around in the shop by myself using a two wheel hand truck.

 

[john lucas]

I would be using g it to demo on when I travel. Pulling the headstock, tailstock and banjo off probably make.the bed weigh less than my Delta Midi. I do pull 5he tailstock.and banjo.off that but its.still.prettu heavy and kind of awkward because.of the headstock.

 

[Jeff Brockett]

John, when I took the headstock, tailstock and banjo off it was even easier to transport.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

I plan to purchase a PM2014 lathe (already own a PM3520!)

Are you replacing th 3520 or adding a lathe? If the later, how do you plan to use the 2014?

 

[GRJensen]

I ordered one yesterday (4/27/20) ... it will serve as a second lathe, beside my PM3520C.

 

[Randy Heinemann]

It would appear that it might be a great lathe for a turner who mainly turns bowls 8”-10” bowls or smaller with an occasional 12” bowl. It looks heavier and more powerful than most lathes that size in the test I saw on YouTube. For anyone who has actually used it, is that accurate?

 

[Richard Chaddock]

Look up Billy Burt (the Messy Studio) on Youtube. He has an unboxing/assembly video and a review video of the PM2014.

I thought his review was not complexly helpful and worried me when the lathe started walking across the floor.

 

[GRJensen]

Mine doesn't walk ... may have been an uneven floor in Billy's shop. I haven't turned anything big & off-balance on the 2014 (I have a 3520C to handle those jobs). I have had mine for 3 months now, and have had no issues.

 

[Jim Holcombe]

Got my 2014 in July. Bought it without the stand and built a heavy table for it that allows a Northern Tool hydraulic table to slide under it. This lets me roll it out of the shop to under the shed roof. Did get the bed extension for it. Since I don’t do much spindle work, the extension in the lower position gives me a larger swing. Most of my work is bases, molds and rims for Nantucket baskets with the occasional bowl and platter thrown in. Bought this to replace a Yates J70 that didn’t have the swing I needed. So far, I have been very pleased with it. Like others have said, weight is needed. Putting it on a table and having a 4 drawer metal cabinet full of misc. tools, gouge rack, lower shelf with stuff, probably gives me around 500 pounds which has made it very stable with minimal vibration.

 

[Randy Heinemann]

Are there others who have bought the 2014 since the last post? I'd be curious about feedback from those who have one and use it.

 

[Richard Chaddock]

I have looking and there really is not much information and the video by Billy although I much appreciate him taking the time to make it IMO was just horrible and not really a good representation, the lathe sounded like if was made of tin and it took a walk on him, I am on the fence with this, the Laguna 15-24 or the Jet 1640EVS. I am limited in space. Wish I had the room for something larger.

 

[Jeff Warner]

I am putting together a 2014 now, have seen Billy's videos ( I appreciated the "raw" nature of them) and he explains what he did to cause the "walking" issue. I looked at a smaller Jet as my first lathe but sprung for the Powermatic. It seems very well built and I'm sure I'll learn a lot as I get into this hobby. Also looking forward to any additional comments on this unit from the fine members on this forum!

 

[GRJensen]

I am putting together a 2014 now, have seen Billy's videos ( I appreciated the "raw" nature of them) and he explains what he did to cause the "walking" issue. I looked at a smaller Jet as my first lathe but sprung for the Powermatic. It seems very well built and I'm sure I'll learn a lot as I get into this hobby. Also looking forward to any additional comments on this unit from the fine members on this forum!

Jeff ... I solved the "walking" issue by placing my PM2014 on the horse stall mats I have covering most of the floor of my shop. Stall mats are heavy rubber (the 3' x 4' mats I have weigh almost 40 pounds apiece), and the lathe doesn't budge even with an out-of-balance load. The stall mats also dampen vibration and all but eliminate the sound Billy mentions in his video.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Here's a link to Billy Burt's review:

View: https://youtu.be/KZqfribSNYw

on my thread where i had this as a leading contender, I am persuaded that I will take the 2014 off my list.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

I ordered one yesterday (4/27/20) ... it will serve as a second lathe, beside my PM3520C.

GR, would you mind posting your impressions after you’ve used it a little bit? I’d like to know what you think, because I don’t want to rule out what might be the right lathe for my needs. But I was disappointed by that review.

I’ve decided to go with only one lathe, and it will have to be versatile.

 

[GRJensen]

GR, would you mind posting your impressions after you’ve used it a little bit?

I have had my Powermatic 2014 since April of 2020 (8 months as of this writing). My lathe was purchased with the optional stand, but without the bed extension (I have a Powermatic 3520C for larger pieces).

I couldn't be happier with this lathe. It is a well made machine, with cast iron bed ways, moveable headstock, electronic controls on a pendant, and a built-in electronic indexing system. I have done turnings up to around 12" in diameter, some significantly out of balance, and have had zero problems with it. I have done everything from bowls to pens on it, and haven't had it bog down, even when taking heavier cuts.

 

[Jeff Warner]

GR, would you mind posting your impressions after you’ve used it a little bit? I’d like to know what you think, because I don’t want to rule out what might be the right lathe for my needs. But I was disappointed by that review.

I’ve decided to go with only one lathe, and it will have to be versatile.

Hi Mark,
I'll post more comments on the PM2014 after I've used it awhile but here are some initial thoughts:

How do you plan to use it? I thought that I would want to do small and medium sized items (maybe some spindles and end table legs), but nothing super long, meaning I ruled out full sized lathes.

Reasons I chose the 2014 were 1) versatility (just picked up the bed extension for longer items and for the ability to turn larger bowls off the end), 2. company reputation/quality of equipment build, and 3. it was priced at a point I could afford. I first looked at the Jet 1221VS which I believe to be a nice machine, but when I increased my budget, I felt that the PM2014 was a better long-term match. We'll see how that pans out, but so far very impressed with how solid this thing is. Nothing cheap about it imo).

I'm also putting together a makeshift mobility kit and can let you know how that works out, as well. GRJenson said above that he placed his on a livestock pen mat which really helped stabilize it. If mine moves too much with the mobility kit, I could see grabbing one of those mats as I've used them in other situations.

 

[Dean Center]

I've always thought a 14" lathe was an excellent option. You could stretch and turn a 12" bowl, which in reality is a pretty functional size and for most end users a 'big' bowl. In days gone by, it was a common lathe size from manufacturers, but they mostly dropped out leaving just the Jet 1442. The Reeves drive on the Jet make it problematic as a good long term partner, leaving a void in this size. It'll be real interesting to see how the Powermatic fares in the marketplace, along with the Laguna 15". They must have done some market research and think there's a demand. I'd agree.