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Lathe investigation

Scott Regenbogen

Scott Regenbogen

Joined
Oct 5, 2007
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Website
www.regenbogenwoodturning.com
Well it is getting close to the time when my trusty Jet 1236 may need to be upgraded.
I'm trying to figure out the next logical move and while I'd love to spring for a Oneway or a Stubby, realistically I may not be able to do that. So after trying to find reviews on line (it's easier to get reviews on Lefty Guitars than on wood lathes) I figured I'll turn to the users who'd know best.

So what are the popular opinions out thee my fellow turning fanatics?

I figure I'd have to limit the out lay to about 2K and am looking for a lathe to do 90% bowl turning, and I would keep the Jet to do spindle and other jobs. Home power (though I could put a seperate line out of the power box to run a 220 machine), reversible, and able to have the same spindle as my Jet so I don't need to get anew chucks.

Any and all feed back welcome.
 
I like the Nova 16/24 in it's price range and the Nova DVR in that price range. The 16" Jet I believe is a little more but is also an excellent buy.
 
can't go wrong sticking with Jet

The Jet 1642 with electronic variable speed fits your budget just right. Known as the "poor man's Powermatic" it's almost a grand less than the 3520B with basically the same features and actually made by the same company, WMH.
http://woodworking.jettools.com/Products.aspx?Part=708359
Reversing? Not sure about that, but most EVS units can be reversable.
 
If you are buying this month, Woodcraft has the Nova 1624 for $850 which is a steal. However, if you have $2K to spend you probably want EVS.
Woodcraft also has the 2hp Nova DVR on discount for $1800.
Then there is the 1.5hp Jet 1642 for $1650
IMHO, any of the above are viable as your "final lathe" - they all offer enough swing & power, and have a good reputation for durability and ergonomics. All of the above lathes are reversible.

A couple of other considerations:
Since you mention bowls, there is a relatively new kid on the block to check out. It is the Vega 2413B Bowl lathe. It runs $1400 and offers 24" swing. Since it has a 1hp (Baldor!) motor I suspect it is a belt change lathe. Changing the belts keeps the torque from dropping the way it does on an EVS lathe. Vega has a generally good reputation and I believe it is made in the USA like their other machines. However, I have seen little info on this one.
http://www.vegawoodworking.com/ (scroll down and on left half of page)

The other option is Grizzly. They have been plagued by poor lathe design, However, they recently introduced a shameless knock-off of the Jet 1642. Before Jet had their price increase, it was foolish to gamble on the Grizzly to save $75; but now the savings are significant and you might see if you can find someone who has tried it.
http://www.grizzlyindustrial.com/products/16-x-42-Variable-Speed-Wood-Lathe/G0632

Good luck with your decision!
 
Last edited:
Ken Grunke said:
The Jet 1642 with electronic variable speed fits your budget just right. Known as the "poor man's Powermatic" it's almost a grand less than the 3520B with basically the same features and actually made by the same company, WMH.
http://woodworking.jettools.com/Products.aspx?Part=708359
Reversing? Not sure about that, but most EVS units can be reversable.
Click to expand...


It is reversable. Two speed ranges by changing the pully selection. Simple task. The headstock slides down to the end of the lathe for bowl turning. If you really wanted to go for bigger bowls, there are several outboard rests that can be converted for Jet.

If you are going to be turning some big bowls or using a bowl saver system, I would recommend the 2HP vs the 1 1/2 but you will need 220v fior the 2HP. The spindle is 1 1/4 X 8.
 
Hi, a wonderfull machine is the 'Harrison Graduate'.

Poured iron (250 kg), motor standing on the column (very stable).
It is considered as the 'jaguar' of the ancient lathes.
If you have some time and look carefully, you can find now and then one at the second hand market.

They are too low for me (1 meter turning height) but height is easy to adjust.
I have one, it is adjusted so I can turn 63 cm over the bed with is. It is a shortbed - good for bowlturning and all by all the machine and it adjustments was not so expensive after all .... certainly not compared with the oneway.
Although it has a lot of the same capacities. And they are elegant as well.

I know what I am talking about because my first lathe was a sheppach and I ordered a third one which will be a vb36 (unfortunately very expensive) but ... if you do not have too much money and you want a very good lathe: the Harrison is the excellent european solution. (UK)

Squirrel
 
Scott Regenbogen said:
I figure I'd have to limit the out lay to about 2K and am looking for a lathe to do 90% bowl turning, and I would keep the Jet to do spindle and other jobs. Home power (though I could put a seperate line out of the power box to run a 220 machine), reversible, and able to have the same spindle as my Jet so I don't need to get anew chucks.

Any and all feed back welcome.
Click to expand...

If you sell the 1236 you could do the 1642 and the necessary adapters and wiring. If you're thinking you might keep two lathes, you can't be cramped for space, so its high demand for floor space won't be a problem.

Unless you're really ham-handed, you shouldn't need a two horse motor out to a couple feet in diameter, but you'd have to be the judge of that expense. Not a lot of use for bowls larger than you can turn over the bed (safer), and by the time you start talking "platters" as some do to justify the outlay, you might as well use a circle jig and a router.
 
Lathe

Recently, there was a Delta DL40 for sale on this site. I believe it's now for sale on eBay. It's a great lathe that can handle both bowl turning and spindles equally well. It has a 16" swing inboard with 55" between centers. You also can get an accessory outboard turning platform with a tool rest base built into it that provides for 24" capacity outboard. It has a 1 x 8 spindle so all of your chucks and faceplates will fit. You might check into this and see if it fits your needs and at about $1000, it's a lot less than some of the other options.
Tim Carter
 
Hopefully someone with more knowledge will speak to this, but one point that should be made is that a 1hp lathe that runs at 250 RPM has more power than a 1 hp EVS lathe which has the belt set at 1500rpm and uses the EVS to run at 250 rpm.
My understanding (right or wrong!) is the main reason for 2 and 3 hp lathes is to have enough power once the EVS has throttled back the RPM.
 
squirrel said:
Hi, a wonderfull machine is the 'Harrison Graduate'.

Poured iron (250 kg), motor standing on the column (very stable).
It is considered as the 'jaguar' of the ancient lathes.
If you have some time and look carefully, you can find now and then one at the second hand market.

Squirrel
Click to expand...

That is a beautiful machine!

http://www.sumit-uk.co.uk/allnuts/lathes.html
 
3520

Since your not quite to a Oneway or Stubby, I think the best bang for the buck and a lathe that will carry you on for the future is the Powermatic 3520B. It has enough swing and length along with other features that you will not outgrow for a long time.

Vernon
 
Not too sure of that, there were big horsey lathes before variable speed was popular. At any rate my my 1.5hp Jet 1642 does fine at 250 rpm. Not that there is much I want to turn at that speed - except sandpaper.

Marc

KEW said:
Hopefully someone with more knowledge will speak to this, but one point that should be made is that a 1hp lathe that runs at 250 RPM has more power than a 1 hp EVS lathe which has the belt set at 1500rpm and uses the EVS to run at 250 rpm.
My understanding (right or wrong!) is the main reason for 2 and 3 hp lathes is to have enough power once the EVS has throttled back the RPM.
Click to expand...
 
For what it's worth. I have a nova dvr with outrigger and cast legs. Full torque down to 100 rpm and 16" bowls inboard, 29" outboard. There isn't too much it can't handle.
 
I've had my DVR XP for about 2 1/2 years now, and I've enjoyed it since day one. I've never had it stall on me, even at low rpm's. Also, the swiveling headstock is great for turning bowls. With the outrigger attachment, you get 29" diameter capabilities. I've not seen very many pieces that are larger than that.

On a side note, I didn't like the $270 price tag on the outrigger, so I made my own out of mild steel. 10 hours of time and $31 for material was the total cost. Not too bad, plus I got the satisfaction of making it myself. 🙂

Matt
 
I believe that almost all of the lathes mentioned here have 1 1/4 inch spindles. This extra diameter makes for a lot of stability in bowl turning and is really essential for turning bowls 12 inch diameter and larger as far as I am concerned. If you are stepping up to a bigger lathe, that is what you will get. Changing inserts is a pain, so you will need more chucks, or an adapter which I don't like because it puts your chuck out another 1 1/2 inches away from the headstock, or sell your smaller lathe. The EVS is one of the things that after you have it, you can't imagine how you lived without it. I really don't like changing belts to change the speed. They run best on 220, but some of the 1 1/2 hp motors are on 120, but again, they can be rewired to 220. As far as minimal speeds, I have my Robust set to run down to almost zero rpm. I use this speed for sanding my warped bowls. Other than that, you seldom use less than 50 rpm for anything. The PM is the best bang for the buck, and the Jets a close second. I have never turned on a Nova DVR.
robo hippy
 
Large Lathe

Scott Regenbogen said:
So what are the popular opinions out thee my fellow turning fanatics?

I figure I'd have to limit the out lay to about 2K and am looking for a lathe to do 90% bowl turning,
Click to expand...

Scott,

I have a 12 inch Walker Turner and a 3520B. Yes, spend 3K and get the 3520. If you only have the 2K get the 2HP 1642. The sliding HS is worth the extra; the EVS as others have said, you will wonder how you got along without it.

I say go the 2HP now and forget the differences. If you get a piece of wood that bogs down on the HP / torque - well, take a smaller cut.

The only time in the 2 years I have turned any thing over 16 inches has been to start. I always end up smaller - my lack of turning experience. I have only found a couple of pieces of stock that are over 16 inches. I've taken most of 3 large Maples and 1 walnut + parts of another maple and a cottonwood. Yep! I've got wood stored all over. Lots of opportunities for large pieces not much action.

John🙂
 
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