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Laguna 1524, Powermatic 2014 or Something else?...

Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Messages
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Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Website
insportsphoto.com
I don't have any experience with Laguna lathes, but I do have quite a bit with the 2014.

I bought it for pretty much the same type of work you envision and after 7 months I am quite happy with my investment.

As you point out, the build quality is excellent, and the 240-volt 3-phase motor has plenty of torque.

The only issue I have had was with the AC power in my shop. Every circuit has a GFCI, and the 2014 would kick the GFCI off when I hit the go button. I made a call to Powermatic tech support, and the tech immediately identified the problem ... the inverter is not compatible with GFCI devices. He suggested I add a standard receptacle to the circuit upstream from the GFCI, and that solved the problem. I just have to remember to plug into the right receptacle.

I did not buy the bed extension (I have a 3520C for longer pieces).
The GFCI issue is good to know. Thanks for putting that out there for us.
 
Joined
Mar 19, 2016
Messages
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Location
Haubstadt, Indiana
Mark, I don’t have a lot of different lathe experience. I have owned a PM 90, Laguna 18-36. and now a Robust AB. I have turned on PM 3520 and 4224. As you said earlier, you get what you pay for. The Laguna was the least expensive and is a decent lathe. The PM3520 are better IMO, but more expensive. The Robust is the best, but most expensive. When I upgraded from the Laguna I was looking for a lathe that I wouldn’t need to worry if it would run that day. The quality of the lathe was an important factor to me. I turn a variety of things from lidded boxes, Christmas ornaments, etc, and bowls. A rotating headstock wasn’t important to me. Features on my AB are the swing away tailstock and stainless steel ways have become important to me and the AB turned out to be the best lathe for me.. Only you can determine the best lathe/value for you. You have the Jet, that I would consider a decent lathe. Good luck wiyh your surgeries.
 
Joined
Apr 12, 2021
Messages
10
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Location
Maribel, WI
I don't have any experience with Laguna lathes, but I do have quite a bit with the 2014.

I bought it for pretty much the same type of work you envision and after 7 months I am quite happy with my investment.

As you point out, the build quality is excellent, and the 240-volt 3-phase motor has plenty of torque.

The only issue I have had was with the AC power in my shop. Every circuit has a GFCI, and the 2014 would kick the GFCI off when I hit the go button. I made a call to Powermatic tech support, and the tech immediately identified the problem ... the inverter is not compatible with GFCI devices. He suggested I add a standard receptacle to the circuit upstream from the GFCI, and that solved the problem. I just have to remember to plug into the right receptacle.

I did not buy the bed extension (I have a 3520C for longer pieces).

Hi folks. Need the wisdom of the group. It's been a long time and lots has happened this past year+

Looking at another hand surgery. Specifically, another CMC arthroplasty with a carpal tunnel procedure like was done on my left hand/arm a while back. Rehab takes months and knowing what I know now, my days of turning big stuff are probably behind me. C'est la vie. Time to look forward to what I can do. :)

Small stuff. Segmented stuff. Lidded boxes and pens. All of which I like to do anyway. So I've been out of the lathe market for years now and have read a bit and such and turned on a bunch of lathes and here's my plan:

Downsize my shop. I just sold off my sliding table (panel) saw, my EVS floor drill press, and soon my edge and wide belt stationary sander. And a relatively new Jet spiral head planer. I'll keep the Kapex, the Grizzly 1013 TS and the bandsaw, and downdraft table plus some hand tools and move into a shop about 9 x 27. I currently have a Jet 1642, works great and no issues. Plus I have a vacuum adapter on it. I also have a VB36 that is in need of a new inverter. I don't see myself hogging off giant logs any more, and so my precious VB will be going on the auction block one of these days.

Yes, this is a long-winded post. Apologies.

I've turned on Oneway, Robust, Powermatic, Jet, and the VB. Liked them all. I also worked with a couple of the midi lathes at the AAW symposium youth classes (as a helper with Joe and also with Al) a couple of times. Nice little lathes.

I'm wondering if I should squeeze the Jet into my shop, or sell it and downsize to a Laguna 15|24, the Powermatic 2014, or is there something else out there?

Laguna pros: Lots of torque at lower end. It's only 1.5 hp but 120v. Like the adjustable legs, good build quality
Laguna cons: only 1.5 hp, not wild about the power range of the belt settings

Powermatic pros: also lots of torque at low end. Nice build quality from what I read
Powermatic cons: only 20" length in the ways and an inch less swing. Powermatic price (unless it's on sale).

I briefly considered the Jet 1221 and it's a nice lathe but a little under powered for my liking, and frankly the stand looks like it will topple over at any moment. And I like and have a few Jet tools in my shop.

So I'd appreciate any thoughts on a direction forward. I'm not buying until well into winter this coming year. Probably February or so. I want to get it into the shop before my surgery so I'll have something to look forward to (if I do buy instead
 
Joined
Apr 12, 2021
Messages
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Location
Maribel, WI
Hi Mark,

I purchased the PM 2014 as an upgrade. I am vey pleased with the machine. I spindle work, so have found it a bit sort, but with the extension on order, I am sure it will serve my small shop quite well for as long as I am turning.
 
Joined
Feb 16, 2021
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Location
Parkersburg, West Virginia
Have you/anyone looked into the “soon to be released” Record Power Coronet Envoy (115v-1.5hp) or Regent (220v-2hp) lathes? Dealer says they should be available within the next two weeks...delays due to Covid. Sliding head with 360 rotation, 16” (Envoy) and 18” (Regent) swing, 24” centers and 39” outboard capability and lanyard controls with magnetic box. Wanting to move up from an old JET 1236 and these look promising...to me. Pricing; $1999 and $2399 respectfully. New to the forum, live in the Ozarks and looking forward to learning from y’all.
I have had the Coronet Envoy for a couple of months now and couldn’t be happier. Plenty of power. Love the sliding/rotating headstock. Turning outboard is very nice. I can’t think of anything I need that it won’t do.
 
Joined
Dec 14, 2022
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Location
Saint Marys, OH
Hi Rusty i have just joined and saw that you purchased the Record Coronet Envoy lathe. What do you like about it and why did you purchase it over the Regent with the 2 hp motor. thanks dennis.
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
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Location
Lebanon, Missouri
Both the Envoy and Regent RP lathes are nice, but have 2 issues: a bit light in wt (can be addressed), and a 250 rpm min speed. The 250 min speed is a deal breaker IMO. I put on some pretty unbalanced stuff at times and 250 is too fast for judging if it needs more trimming, and is also too fast for sanding larger pieces. Both of these issues were why I picked a Nova Galaxi over them.
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2022
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Location
Atascadero, CA
Mark,
I have been using my PM2014 constantly which I purchased when it first came out. It was well priced and on sale everywhere so I got a good deal. Price is up everywhere now, but "on sale" somewhere if you look around. It has worked well for me in my shop/garage with limited space. Highly recommend it. I can't compare to other lathes because it was my first real lathe. (Had a ShopSmith). Bed extension has only been used once and once for the larger swing function. I have found that the 14 inch swing is more than adequate.
Jay
 
Joined
Dec 14, 2022
Messages
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7
Location
Saint Marys, OH
Both the Envoy and Regent RP lathes are nice, but have 2 issues: a bit light in wt (can be addressed), and a 250 rpm min speed. The 250 min speed is a deal breaker IMO. I put on some pretty unbalanced stuff at times and 250 is too fast for judging if it needs more trimming, and is also too fast for sanding larger pieces. Both of these issues were why I picked a Nova Galaxi over them.
Doug , what is the weight of the nova Galaxi, and the lowest RPM, that you have/ also how is the fit and finish?
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
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Lebanon, Missouri
Wt quoted at 436#, lowest speed 100 rpm. Another reason I went with the Galaxi is the well designed outboard turning rest that bolts to the bed, works very well. Didnt know it when I bought it, but the DVR motor has significantly more low end torque vs jet vfd driven lathes of the same hp (club has 2 16” jets).

Fit/finish is too subjective - each has their own opinion, some see a lathe as a car or something, others see just a tool. It works well for me and the paint is holding up after 4 years. Decals are coming off in part due to how I use it. Its comparable to jet and laguna lathes I have used.

Specs:
 
Joined
Apr 13, 2020
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Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Website
insportsphoto.com
I absolutely LOVE my 15|24 with the extension table. Would I love something bigger? Of course, but I have not had ANY issues with mine.

When I’m having problems standing, I can EASILY turn sitting in an offic chair or even a wheelchair by lowering the the front legs 2-3 holes lower than the rear. This provided a generous tilt that was not too heavy. It made an enormous difference in keeping my sanity while I was unable to stand more than 5-10 minutes at a time.
 
Joined
Oct 30, 2022
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Location
Onalaska, TX
I know almost nothing about the lathes, but I know a lot about motors. That Laguna motor draws 8 amps at 110 volts. No way is that going to be more than one hp. Most one hp motors will draw alt least 9 amps at low voltage.
 
Joined
Apr 13, 2020
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Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Website
insportsphoto.com
How stable is the lathe with the front legs lowered?
Very as far as I can tell. As you might imagine though, having to be seated I’m not turning seriously unbalanced wood. I can’t speak for something that’s wobbling everywhere.
 
Joined
Nov 1, 2011
Messages
37
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5
Location
Salem SC
I got a chance to turn on a couple of the Robust lathes at David Ellsworth's class in PA, and they're very nice indeed. But to be honest, just more than I want to spend. I know you get what you pay for, but you know... :-D

Update: Darn it, Tim.. Now you've got me thinking about those Robust lathes. :confused:

Brent English made a couple of bowl tool rests for my VB a few years ago. Beautiful work from those guys.
Take a look at the Robust Scout. That lathe with their Universal Stand lets you change over to a sit down configuration if that is ever needed. I have one and currently use it in stand up mode, but before I bought it I tried one in a sit down mode and it was really nice.
 
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