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lathe choice decision

G

gsieracki

Joined
Oct 1, 2006
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To All,

This will probably open the proverbial can o' worms but ....

What are the opinions on the Nova DVR XP lathe?

My situation is a small garage setup where everything has to be
mobile. I move it into position to work and back against the walls
when I'm done so we can park inside. I'm not looking for a monster
lathe just something better than the mini-lathe I started on and
still work with. I do mainly boxes, goblets, an occassional bowl and have enjoyed starting on segmented turnings.

Do to the lack of space I'm hoping to get a lathe with a minimum of
14, preferably 16 inches of swing over the bed, but a shorter bed than
40 or 42 inches. No tall projects or long spindles seen on the
horizon. The overal max length I can squeeze in is about 48 inches.

With the need for mobility weight is unfortunately a factor. I'm
thinking somewhere around 200 to 150 pounds max. I have a homebuilt stand I use for the mini lathe and will tweak it a little to fit this one ine, meaning a new top.

The DVR XP looks pretty good, but so does their 1624-44, though the DVR looks shorter in length.

Any comments or suggestions on this lathe or another that would fit
the bill?

Thanks!

Sincerely,

Gerry
 
I've got a 3000, and the footprint size is a bit longer than the DVR, because the motor is cantilevered out the end of the headstock. If space is truly critical, this could be important. I suppose you could swing it over a portion of an exisisting cabinet or shelf.

Good stand geometry and reasonable patience in roughing should moot the business of weighting the lathe. With the 3000 going to 215, I have swung pieces 3" wide and 16 long. Rigidity is the quest, glued sheetgoods the answer. I do not turn outboard, though I probably will some day. That forces you to stand in a different place, so if you leave extra room, make it near the headstock. I turn strictly over the ways, so the tail butts to a workbench. You would want a set of fully retractable casters so that you can get rigid high-friction footings when roughing.
 
Gerry
I have a DVR-XP, my understanding is that the new Nova has about the same length (they use the same bed extension and/or out-board).
I also needed mobility, so I bought an HTC lathe mobile base and built a stand for the lathe. It's a basic stand with an MDF top and a sand box in the bottom. And I can move it
 
It sounds like an excellent lathe choice for you. I can't think of anything better in that size and price range. It is definitely an excellent lathe. I had the Nova 3000 and many of the things I didn't like about the 3000 they improved on the DVR. It's smooth and quiet. The tailstock lock solidly, the tool rest is easy to adjust and locks firmly. If you buy thier legs you get a good solid lathe.
 
Thanks!

I also use the HTC stand but went with plywood for the top. I plan on just unscrewing the current piece and screwing on a longer piece to suit this lathe. The headstock will be over at the left edge of the stand, and the tailstock will be to the right. I plan on supporting that with an additional piece of of plywood and some sturdy brackets holding that up.

With all the research I've done on the web this looks like a best fit.

Thanks!

Sincerely,

Gerry
 
I have the dvr xp

I got the dvr xp as an early Christmas present this year 🙂 and I am impressed with it. The variable speed is terrific - you can set 6 predetermined speeds to cycle thru and then up / down arrow from there. I have turned some pens and a couple of bowls on it so far and it is very smooth. Size wise it is pretty compact compared to some of the other lathes with similar swing over bed.
 
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