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Best 110V lathe

Joined
Jul 3, 2020
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Carbondale, CO
I suspect there will be dissent and agreements... I want to replace my Delta lathe with one that will allow turning of larger bowls. Not into spindle work.

I dont want to wire for 220V.

Recommendations????
 
Joined
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Jet makes a nice one. I like my Laguna 12/16. The 12/16 is 110 volts and will clear just a little over 8" diameter. Which is plenty big for me. If i use the outboard I could turn a larger piece. Both the Laguna 15/24 and 18/36 will turn larger pieces and are 110v. I looked at the Jet 1440, it's 110, but decided on the Laguna lathe because it's cheaper. The 1440 is a nice lathe. The JEt 16x40 is also 110v.
 
Joined
Nov 24, 2010
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Lexington, KY
A used Jet 1642 is the best buy. I've seen 3 sell for $1,000. I got one of them.

I certainly liked and still like my 1642 (110 v model) after 12-13 years. It was my first full-size lathe. After some years I had chance to buy a used PM 3520b, but kept the 1642. I never liked the PM as much, so when I bought a new lathe, I sold the PM and kept the 1642.
 
Joined
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Well, I went with 220 because it made sense for what I do and did. However, the one lathe that really surprised me with the amount of torque it had while running on 110 was the Nova DVR. I never liked the speed controls on it as I found the push button ramp up/ramp down to be way too slow. I know they have responded to that on their newer lathes, but not up to date on what they have done. The Jet is a nice lathe, and I have turned on the 110 volt version, but it didn't have the power. It does have a sliding headstock, which I prefer to the pivoting headstock on the DVR. I am pretty sure it can be rewired for 220 if you want to change in the future. Not sure if the DVR can be rewired or not.

robo hippy
 

Timothy Allen

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The Robust Sweet 16 and the Robust Scout both are available in 110 volt versions. The Sweet 16 has the removable gap bed to facilitate turning up to 32" diameters; the Scout has an outboard turning capability of up to 21" diameter. Made in the USA.
 

hockenbery

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I demo frequently on the Jet 1640 and a nova DVR.

I have a big preference for the Jet because the controls on the DVR I demo on has no shutoff button and changing speeds is like slooowww motion. the controls on the new nova machines are much improved.

if you can find a used Jet 1640 you can likely sell it for what you pay for it.
If you go the DVR get one with speed control dial or one that can be upgraded.

It’s a pain to add 220 outlets. However the benefits of
Lathes, bandsaws, compressors.... running on 220 make the pain fade away....
 

Timothy Allen

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Well Claudio didn't specify "cheap" as a criterion, he just said "best," "larger bowls," and not 220V! ;-)
 
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All of the suggestions above, including most of the Nova line up (they will all run on 120V), are worth your investigation.

Narrowing it down will depend on your purse and the particulars of your turning desires.

Since the question was raised regarding Nova I can tell you that at least for the last several years the various DVR controllers have programmable preset buttons for speed. There are ten on mine and I have them set at 100 rpm and then by 300 rpm intervals to 2700. Beyond that there is a knob to adjust speed up and down.

If you are pursuing Nova note there is a DVR upgrade available for the Nova 1624, but they don't make it obvious.
 
Joined
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Bashaw, Alberta
Nova galaxi is pretty nice. I have a nova saturn currently. After buying a Laguna 12/16 I think im going to start looking more seriously at the Laguna revo 18/36.
 

odie

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I dont want to wire for 220V.

Can I ask why you don't want 220v?

When I first moved into this shop in 1996, I didn't have 220v. I contracted an electrician to have a couple 220v outlets. It didn't take him long, and even though I'm not very knowledgeable about electricity, it seems a fairly easy job for him. I can't remember what it cost, but I can remember it seemed a very reasonable expense.

Another question: If you did have 220v, would you still be looking at a 110v lathe?

-----odie-----
 
Joined
Jul 3, 2020
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So, thanks everyone for your comments. I have been considering all of these choices, and it becomes clear why....they are all reasonable. Probably leaning towards a Laguna....but, still no decision. I am having torque issues with my Delta...basically, it’s hard to turn at low speeds because of stalling out....no, I’m not trying to take too much! Or, perhaps I am. As to the why not 220v question....it’s a matter of expense. I have been quoted $1500 To place a line. This is not my profession, and I have already spent a fair amount of cash getting started....lathe, tools, dust collector, grinder, personal protective gear, sharpening jig....wood....lt all adds up. Still haven’t purchased a pressure pot....lord knows I need one!!! At any rate, enjoying turning a few pieces a month for relaxation and expression....yes, would love 220. At present, not realistic. Thank you all, again.
 

john lucas

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I ran into the issue of having to replace the main line from the house to the shop in order to get 220. It was fairly expensive and I did the work myself so I understand where your coming from.
 
Joined
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I ran into the issue of having to replace the main line from the house to the shop in order to get 220. It was fairly expensive and I did the work myself so I understand where your coming from.
yes, I have considered doing it... I am handy...but...as a Boy Scout I got my electricity merit badge and remember learning that electricity...you can't see it and it can kill you.....so....no....
 
Joined
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Well, does any one in the nearest club know how to do the work for 220? I believe you need a certified electrician to hook it up to the circuit breaker, but some one can run all the lines and plugs without being certified. Part depends if there is room on your breaker for additional lines...

robo hippy
 
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I have been quoted $1500 To place a line.
Claudio, I don't know any specifics of your shop, how long of a line you need, etc, but $1500 seems a little high. I would have expected a price closer to $500. We just had an electrician out to do a whole bunch of stuff (fix and upgrade panel, add outlets, fix outlets, remove an outlet, add fixtures, move water heater, and more) including adding a new 110 circuit with outlet for my shop and it was less than $1k.
 
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Could be an issue with the main breaker box. My son just upgraded his main box and it was a deal. House had 100 amp box, but a smart meter outside. Pulling a smart meter alerts "big brother" very quickly. There was a City Inspector, utility lineman, and the electrician and his helper onsite. All that means money.
 
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Could be an issue with the main breaker box. My son just upgraded his main box and it was a deal. House had 100 amp box, but a smart meter outside. Pulling a smart meter alerts "big brother" very quickly. There was a City Inspector, utility lineman, and the electrician and his helper onsite. All that means money.
We had the same thing done, with the same amount of people involved, and issues. I just pulled up our bill and they charged us $472 to upgrade our panel and replace several broken breakers (it was a mess). It was just $472 for the panel related work. The new 110 line and outlet was an extra $144. Not trying to change your mind or anything. I understand whether it's $500 or $5000 it's a lot of money. Just sharing our experience and giving you a data point.
 
Joined
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If you have a split receptacle in that area, it could be easily (if room at your panel) converted to 15 amp 220. In this situation with a split, you can also make up an adapter with a couple of three prong plugs, two one foot pieces of 14 G wire and a 220 female for the other end. White neutral is not used. If there were a single outlet that has no other outlets on the circuit, that could be converted to 220 as well. The neutral is repurposed and colored tape could be used to properly identify in the panel and outlet box.
 
Joined
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If you have a split receptacle in that area, it could be easily (if room at your panel) converted to 15 amp 220. In this situation with a split, you can also make up an adapter with a couple of three prong plugs, two one foot pieces of 14 G wire and a 220 female for the other end. White neutral is not used. If there were a single outlet that has no other outlets on the circuit, that could be converted to 220 as well. The neutral is repurposed and colored tape could be used to properly identify in the panel and outlet box.
That’s interesting!
 
Joined
Jun 25, 2020
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Easley, SC
Like Jeff, I got the Powermatic 2014 2 months ago. Really like it so far. Did not get the stand but did get the bed extension. Built a heavy table for it that allows the extension to be placed in either the high or low position so that the length can be extended or the swing increased it the headstock is moved to the other end of the bed. Solid lathe and worth the look.
 
Joined
Nov 4, 2011
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Bay Settlement, WI
+1 for the Powermatic 2014 ... mine arrived about 4 months ago, and I am very happy with it.
 
Joined
Sep 27, 2017
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Windsor, Pennsylvania
What is your amp limitation? Some 110 circuits are 15 amp, some 20 and some 30. My Craftsman table saw needs at least a 20 amp circuit. It would probably be happier with 220, but until the electrician gets a break from his other work, (I told him to do it when work is slow, no rush.) Anyway, we are running a new 220 line to a new panel and adding new circuits to the shop so I can run the dust collector, lathe, lights,etc.. Then I will switch the saw back to 220.
 
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