Best Full-Sized Lathe / Upgrade Help

[Allen Mattsen]

Update: I checked out a Laguna 1836 (I'm considering the 2436) and PM3520C side by side today at Woodcrafters. My observations:

Powermatic vs Laguna

The Tool rest locking mechanism PM
Tool rest design PM
Banjo *tied*
Tailstock PM
Removable control box with speed readout PM
Spindle lock PM
Bed ways Laguna (stainless and wider)
Weight/ease of moving headstock Laguna
Handwheel PM

Laguna: Spindle Height w/ wheel kit (optional) 46"; spindle cone beyond housing: 4"
PM: Spindle Height w/ riser blocks (standard) 46", spindle cone beyond housing: 3"


Availablity: end of May for Laguna 2436 and the PM is in stock. The 1836 is in stock, fwiw.

Price: $4000~4500 PM, $3800 Laguna

The PM tool rest locks so easily and won't budge - love it! I know there is a workaround for the Laguna by adding a 2nd bolt in the available 2nd hole but still.

 

[Kent Jaffrey]

Bed ways Laguna (stainless and wider)

Just as an FYI the laguna bed ways are made of steel not “stainless steel” so rust will likely still be a concern.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

And you're going to end up buying lots of other tool rests.

 

[Allen Mattsen]

Just as an FYI the laguna bed ways are made of steel not “stainless steel” so rust will likely still be a concern.

Ooh, nice catch there!

 

[Phil Hine]

Another +1 on the Jet 1840. There is a bed extension available and can be mounted lower on the tailstock end for oversize turning. I have been doing mostly segmented turning and working off the tailstock end is a real back saver. The tailstock isn't a backbreaker either although I may build a storage table for it eventually.

Phil

 

[Larry Mitchell]

Allen...for what you seem to be looking at, maybe this is something to investigate. Got a pop-up window saying they now ship to USA where a month ago they would not. GRRRR!

Pivots 360, slides, moveable controls, digital readout on tail stock for quill, two tool rests, included bed extension for outboard turning....30mm tool rest post and M33 spindle might be a negative, but adapters are available.

Happy hunting.

 

[Allen Mattsen]

Allen...for what you seem to be looking at, maybe this is something to investigate. Got a pop-up window saying they now ship to USA where a month ago they would not. GRRRR!

Pivots 360, slides, moveable controls, digital readout on tail stock for quill, two tool rests, included bed extension for outboard turning....30mm tool rest post and M33 spindle might be a negative, but adapters are available.

Happy hunting.

Thanks, I didn't know that. Looks like a fine option.

Appears very similar to the Record Power machines, which are on my short list for sure!

 

[odie]

Allen...for what you seem to be looking at, maybe this is something to investigate. Got a pop-up window saying they now ship to USA where a month ago they would not. GRRRR!

Pivots 360, slides, moveable controls, digital readout on tail stock for quill, two tool rests, included bed extension for outboard turning....30mm tool rest post and M33 spindle might be a negative, but adapters are available.

Happy hunting.

30mm tool post, and m33 spindle would be a deal killer for me......but, it does look like a fine lathe.......

 

[odie]

I think I'll give it more time.....but, at this point in time, the Vicmarc VL240 lathe with a Oneway banjo made for a 20" swing lathe sounds very appealing to me. The VL240 comes with an optional 1 1/4" x 8 tpi spindle, and the Oneway banjo is made for a 1" post. The weight of the VL240 is around 650 lbs.....

There is one thing I'm not too sure of, and that's whether the little bit of additional height in that 20" Oneway banjo would interfere with some of my tool rests. The VL240 has about a 19 1/3" swing......it's very close, though.

-----odie-----

 

[Larry Mitchell]

30mm tool post, and m33 spindle would be a deal killer for me......but, it does look like a fine lathe.......

If someone is moving up or new to turning, the metric post and spindle shouldn’t be an issue as you will be buying new chucks/adapters anyway. Someone like yourself with decades of use on a particular size and accumulation of accessories it could be an issue.

 

[Allen Mattsen]

I think I'll give it more time.....but, at this point in time, the Vicmarc VL240 lathe with a Oneway banjo made for a 20" swing lathe sounds very appealing to me. The VL240 comes with an optional 1 1/4" x 8 tpi spindle, and the Oneway banjo is made for a 1" post. The weight of the VL240 is around 650 lbs.....

There is one thing I'm not too sure of, and that's whether the little bit of additional height in that 20" Oneway banjo would interfere with some of my tool rests. The VL240 has about a 19 1/3" swing......it's very close, though.

-----odie-----

View attachment 37991View attachment 37992

That looks like a very nice machine, especially if you don't need a lot of length between centers. I forgot those also have a rotating headstock. The price is approaching the AB or sweet 16, though, factoring in the $291 for a oneway Banjo. Is the 300lbs or so (and overall quality) worth the cost vs the Regent? Regent is 375lbs. An approximately $3500 difference. Or add $1500 and get a Robust.

For me personally, I need a bandsaw soon also, so there's $1000 easy.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

If someone is moving up or new to turning, the metric post and spindle shouldn’t be an issue as you will be buying new chucks/adapters anyway. Someone like yourself with decades of use on a particular size and accumulation of accessories it could be an issue.

But consider that all the friends that you want to have play dates with and all the used equipment you'll see for sale will be 1 1/4" x 8 tpi and 1" posts.

 

[odie]

That looks like a very nice machine, especially if you don't need a lot of length between centers. I forgot those also have a rotating headstock. The price is approaching the AB or sweet 16, though, factoring in the $291 for a oneway Banjo. Is the 300lbs or so (and overall quality) worth the cost vs the Regent? Regent is 375lbs. An approximately $3500 difference. Or add $1500 and get a Robust.

For me personally, I need a bandsaw soon also, so there's $1000 easy.

Oh, I'm not suggesting what I favor, should be a choice for anyone else. Brent English makes top tier lathes, but doesn't offer a rotating headstock. A rotating headstock is the one single reason why I'd even consider another lathe.

Yes, the light weight of the Record Power Regent is one of the main reasons it isn't in first place for my purposes. I need that weight to help with maintaining acceptable vibration levels in the work I've evolved to. It does look like a very nice machine, though......and, should be an excellent choice for quite a few other turners.

Someone like yourself with decades of use on a particular size and accumulation of accessories it could be an issue.

Yep, exactly.......this is the main reason why a lathe like the Axminster, or the Oneway wouldn't even be considered.

-----odie-----

 

[Larry Mitchell]

That looks like a very nice machine, especially if you don't need a lot of length between centers. I forgot those also have a rotating headstock.

Between center length can be adjusted by adding the “supplied“ bed extension...to either end. In the Q&A section it says the headstock can be used on the extension, so adding one on each end would give a considerable length. It’s WAY more machine than I could ever use, just like seeing what companies offer.
UPS Freight is supposed to deliver the T-40 today...

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

Between center length can be adjusted by adding the “supplied“ bed extension...to either end. In the Q&A section it says the headstock can be used on the extension, so adding one on each end would give a considerable length. It’s WAY more machine than I could ever use, just like seeing what companies offer.
UPS Freight is supposed to deliver the T-40 today...

I know how excited you are. Can’t wait to see pictures and a review.

 

[Larry Mitchell]

Yes sir Rusty, this pandemic has really put things on delay. UPS Freight driver just called and said it will be 6ish before he gets here.

 

[John Tisdale]

Told this story before but seems like the time to tell it again.
Ever been to a skeet shooting competition? As you might guess, price is of no concern - "if you ask you can't afford". Even adjusted for inflation, it was the same in the mid-1950s.,An old buzzard won the 1955 with a Winchester Model-12 with the stock held together with electrician's tape.
You will adjust to whatever you get - it's the people behind the product that count AND ONE DAY YOU WILL NEED THOSE PEOPLE. I have a Oneway - I can call Kevin or who ever answers the phone and get whatever information or part I need. Being Canadian, they are too polite to say "It's that idiot from Texas again" while I'm still on the line.

 

[Tom Lucas]

No way the T-60 is 90" long. Maybe with the motor all the way left and an extension on the right. Even with all that, 90" sounds like too much. You see the foot print is listed at 55". That is your leg-to-leg. The rest will depend on options and position of headstock.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Isn't there a Grizzly model that's very similar. How long is that?

 

[Larry Mitchell]

Believe the Grizzly G0800 was the model Harvey rebadged with different motor/electronics. Jon Hill has a T-60S, maybe he will chime in.

 

[Doug Freeman]

Website says 57-1/2” long. https://www.harveywoodworking.com/products/t-60s

 

[Roger Chandler]

My G0800 is 90" long with the headstock all the way to the left, and the bed extension on the right. I took a tape measure and measured it when I read this thread, to verify. That Harvey T-60 is a beast of a lathe. A premium turning platform. I still prefer the Grizzly cloned G0800 with the high efficiency 3 hp motor with advanced "EL -Series" Delta Electronics inverter. Too bad Harvey has evidently decided to keep the T-60 frame design for themselves now.

 

[Doug Freeman]

Website says 57-1/2” long. https://www.harveywoodworking.com/products/t-60s

Sorry I read the specs wrong, does say 90” long and only 15 min to edit a post ? Have to suggest changing that.

 

[Allen Mattsen]

It does look massive! Not that it's a bad thing. Just have to plan a bit differently. I called Harvey today to see what the maximum height to spindle is and ask the length. Had to leave a msg. Same w/ Laguna. Another question I will ask (but not sure they'll answer) is what the cost or a replacement motor would be. Do companies typically divulge this info?

 

[Russell Nugent]

I would think a replacement motor should be on their parts list

 

[odie]

Sort of looks like the remote control is a simple "kill switch". This is not a bad idea, but if safety is the objective, I'd prefer all the controls be in that remote box. Leads one to think that kill switch might not have been a part of the original design for the lathe......

-----odie-----

 

[Allen Mattsen]

I believe it's both start and stop on the remote box. Speed controls there would be nice.

 

[Doug Freeman]

A point about tailstock swing-a-ways ( as it is prominent in one of the t60 pics) - if you plan to hollow with a captive or articulating system, the simple swing a way like the t60 has will not get the tailstock out of the way for the position required on some hf’s. The “down and away” swing a way design of Robust and PM do get it completely out of the way. Just depends what one plans to make on the lathe.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Using an articulated arm hollowing rig like the Simple Hollowing System or the Elbo with an in plane swing away might not be so difficult as it would first appear. In order to have room on the bed to mount the hollowing rig you will have to move the HS at least part way back to the head end. So that will put the articulations in front of the parked TS. It still might cramp the articulations of the operator's arm, but there's lots of options for holding these rigs.

The Bosch rig might have more of an issue because the articulations are behind the mounting post and with that design you have to hold and control the tool handle. I don't know about captured bar systems.

 

[Tim Tucker]

You turn naked???

I wince just thinking of the removal of splinters.....

 

[Doug Freeman]

Some of the articulating hollowing systems can work with an “in plane” swing a way. It does limit systems, and size of HF’s.

 

[Tim Tucker]

There a lot of manufacturers to choose from, and a lot of different..."features". But, day in - day out....I wonder how many of fancy features get used? And do they affect the long term durability/reliability. Things like articulating headstocks have been tried before....with mixed results from everything that users have said. Membrane switches - seem like a nice way to keep dust out of electronics in an elegant way...But they break down from repeated flexing. And regardless of anything else...when you do need a part in the future...and you will...it is the nature of all complex machines....WHERE will it have to come from? That has kept my wallet in my pocket several times when I was salivating of a new shiny power tool....
For me, I suppose the "safe" answer has been - I want to buy something that has KNOWN long term reliability of the machine AND the company. And, one which is made as "local" as possible - as in...in the USA if possible. Not any prejudice against British, Australian, or Canadian machinery...they are all good. but....PARTS. Shipping. TIME. All of those and the inconvenience of needing to actually use a phone to talk with someone about an issue or repair, etc...and they are on an opposite sleep cycle than I am, so the middle of you night international phone call to work thru something that is too complex for the protracted process of back and forth e-mails.....
So, that is why I bought Robust. Not because of any perceived panache associated with a brand name. Certainly not because they were cheaper for the features per dollar spent. But because the total, big picture - for me - was one that I felt the quality of the lathes, long term value retention and warranty coupled with parts and service availability made the extra dollars justifiable, if not prudent expenditure. My advice is that if these same concerns are priorities for you - think about the Sweet 16. It does offer a lot of versatility......

 

[Timothy Allen]

Like @Tim Tucker I too went with a Robust Sweet 16, for many of the same reasons.

 

[John Kelsey]

Unless you want to turn a small car between centers, you might reconsider the Robust Scout with the 16" bed extension on the outboard side. Inboard it's a 14-42, what we used to call "standard. " With a chuck that locks on the outboard spindle, you can spin and reverse a 22-inch bowl. Bigger than that and I can't lift the blank. When I was in your spot several years ago, I lusted for the capacity of the Sweet 16 or Oneway, but they were way outside my budget. With a number close to yours, I reconsidered the Scout and have been very happy. Sturdy, well-designed, US made, and so far, big enough and tough enough for everything I've wanted to turn. BTW I didn't buy their ingenious stand but made my own; I turn several hours almost every day so while I'm not a pro I'm not a casual occasional user either.

 

[john lucas]

I agree with Tim. I looked.at long term repairability when deciding on my Powermatic. The big dollar.machines were simply out of my budget. Everything on the Powermatic that can go bad an be either replaced by aftermarket parts or re built by a good machinist. I zuspect.the same.is true with the Robust a d Oneway but they were.out of my league.

 

[John Kelsey]

Here’s a pretty good discussion of desirable lathe features from our lancaster club’s Coffee Hour #52:

View: https://youtu.be/9j3d51zrbjM

 

[Brian Gustin]

Do you put all the lancaster clubs stuff on youtube? I just subscribed too (no local clubs up here in the boonies, and last I checked only one other member even "local"... ) .. love that you don't turn off auto captions, since I am deaf, always a fan of the channels that do closed captions (knowingly or not) ... especially since I can't participate in much live presentations (unless like a very very few pro youtubers, they are able to include real-time captioning..)

 

[John Kelsey]

I seem to remember checking the closed-captioning box, Brian, but you are the first viewer to call attention to it. And yes, our Lancaster coffee hour is free and open, and our club posts everything via YouTube, it's not behind a password or a pay wall.

 

[Rick Crawford]

I chimed in awhile ago. I bought my Stubby 750 used for less than 5g, works fantastic, 30" swing, can't imagine standing next to a larger propellor than that. They do occassionally pop up on the used market, but ya gotta move fast, for obvious reasons. I should have bought one in 2009 from Bill R. and saved myself alot of bother. There hasn't been a US rep since he passed, but are still available new from the manufacturer in Austrailia. Yes, shipping is high, but you get, arguably, one of the best lathes on the market.

 

[robo hippy]

I may have to take a trip to Hawaii to visit Emeliano so I can try one out. Always curious...

robo hippy