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Modern lathe or used old style Powermatic?

Robert Feingold

Robert Feingold

Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
119
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Location
Brooklyn, NY
I have been working on an old rockwell 46-111 lathe on and off (mostly off) for the past 25 years and need to buy a new one. It is rumbling and I hate changing the belt/pulley. I'm looking for variable speed and about 16" capacity. I don't much like the gap bed but not the most important issue. There are several decent Lathes around $2,000. The Jet 1642 or the Nova DVR xp seem like good choices. There are some heavy, old powermatic 90 lathes available. Does anyone believe that an old heavy lathe has advantages over the newer models? I dont do any very heavy work at this point but like the concept of a substantial machine. I turn mostly bowls, platters, boxes, etc. Thanks,
Rob
 
Well having turned on the older powermatic, the new Jet and the nova DVR I would not go back to the Powermatic. Perhaps if I was doing high volume production work I might consider it. They are very solid. However the Jet is a pleasure to use. Some of the electronic functions bothered me about the DVR but I would probably get used to them in short order. I would definitely go with one of the newer machines.
 
Rob

I think used lathes are the best value.
If you are close to central fla I know of a 20" general 260 with electronic controls fro 1500.

Don Geiger, Gainesville, sells Robust lathes and helps buyers sell their old lathe. he often knows of good machines.

Our local clubs circulate used lathes about every month. Both Jet 1640s and Nova DVR have been for sale in the past year.

I recommend the 1640 over the DVR on the controls. DVR has plenty of power and is a quiet machine.
The speed change on the nova is slow. A big red off button has to be part of the controls of any lathe. I think the new DVRs may have one. Avoid and DVR without a panic off button. I would not be comfortable with the little touch pad when things are coming apart.

Happy turning,
Al
 
Any that you mention are going to do what you ask. Old iron is fine if the castings and banjo are good. Bearings are a gimme if you need them changed, so the most vulnerable item is the electronics, if so equipped. You will still want to change the belt for best torque on an electronic, a problem you don't have on a mechanical, since the motor is always operating at full potential. Might even find yourself caught on the cusp, where you have to change from rough to smooth as I sometimes do on my 3000. I never go above 680, so one change per half hour of 30 seconds duration is not a problem. The DVR will not need any pulley changes.

Not sure why Al is worried about lack of an emergency off switch. No problem at all to add one between the wall and the plug on the lathe. Not as if it needs do more than turn off the power altogether.
 
Off topic question.....what is the speed range of the Nova DVR direct drive lathe?

thanx

I'm one who believes the extra large kill button is a good safety measure on a lathe. I made my own oversized button for my lathe. Can't show you a pic of that at the moment, because I'm on vacation and not using my computer right now.

ooc
 
Last edited:
Nova DVR XP speeds: 100 to 3500 rpm in 5 rpm increments
 
Thanks for the great advice. I just ordered a Jet 1642 from Amazon for $2,090, free shipping, no tax. I will have it next week. Very excited.
 
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