Looking to purchase s new lathe in the next couple of months and would like some feedback on those using either the Robust AB or the Powermatic 3520. Thanks.....
Ya I guess not really the same class, I just figured that if I’m going to spend the extra money on a 4224 that I would likely spend the additional money for an AB. I’m really looking for a high quality machine that that is reliable and precise.Ryan, I have both a Powermatic 3520c (three months old) and a Robust American Beauty (two weeks old) in my shop. I would be happy to answer any of your questions. It should be noted that these two lathes are really in different categories. I think it would be more fair to compare the 3520 to the Robust Sweet 16 and the Powermatic 4224 to the Robust American Beauty.
I have probably turned on an AB 20 times, on a 3520 well over a hundred times maybe 200.
The 4224 about 5 times.
Haven’t turned on the new 3520 or the new 4224.
I never felt comfortable with the 4224 because the banjo and tailstock are too hard to work with.
The powermatic fixed the poor tool rest lock they had on the 3520.
The Powermatic does everything I needed it to do.
The AB is a pleasure to turn on. I would say it beats the 3520 and 4224 in every category you can name except perhaps the spindle lock. I like the Powermatic push button spindle lock. I only lock the spindle to tighten or lossen things on the spindle. One hand tightens/loosens the other pushes the button to lock. It is the most convenient of the spindle locks. The powermatic gets a lot of bad press because the button pops out. For me that is a feature. Wish the ONEWAY had that.
I think the ONEWAY 2416 is the best commercially available bowl turning lathe. adding the 17” outboard, the swinger, and maybe a second banjo Makes shortbed hollowing a lot faster on the outboard side than moving a headstock. Turn the outside of a bowl between centers then mount it in the chuck which you can leave on the outboard side for “stand in front of” hollowing.
I find it more convenient to use the shortbed side of a ONEWAY than moving the headstock on the Powermatic or the AB.
As said above the owners of powermatics, robust, are all,pleased with their machines.
So are the owners of ONEWAY, Vic Marc, ....
Are all pleased with their machines.
If the powermatic interests you, consider the Jet 1840 and spend the savings ina class at Arrowmont, Cambell, Marc Adams, or othe school. You might well be a happier turner on the 1840 with a more robust set of skills.
... I was stupid and now have lost 50% of my hearing in my left ear.
I am a contractor. So the hum of equipment over the years is what they suspect. Only recently did I understand how noisy my lathe is when a friend came in while I was turning and said wow that is loud to someone who hasn't lost any hearing. The cutting and the lathe hum is what she was hearing (I was coring at the time). I guess we get used to it and don't think much about it until it is to late. Combine just regular turning with dust collectors, sanding drills, air compressors, blowing air, and etc. I think we all are lured into believing it is OK when it is not. Hearing loss is gradual and all of these things contribute so take care of your limbs, body, eyes, hearing, lungs and etc. before it is to late. I used to go by the mantra of buy what you can afford when it comes to purchasing a lathe. Now I believe in buying what you can afford after purchasing all of the safety equipment needed in our hobby/business. At least you will, most likely, be around to buy an upgraded lathe later if you find you need/want to make that purchase.Did you lose your hearing from using your lathe ? Many other tools are quite noisy, but not my lathe.
Kind regards,
Rich
That is exactly what I decided to do. I spent $800 on an old Powermatic 90 (originally I was ready to buy a Oneway 2436) but I will be spending $2000 on a Clear Vue Cyclone (and I will also get a proper respirator/face shield) as you can not compromise with your lungs/health. After reading all of the info on fine dust - I'm amazed at the number of folks doing woodwork with cheap dust collectors. Pay now or pay later.I am a contractor. So the hum of equipment over the years is what they suspect. Only recently did I understand how noisy my lathe is when a friend came in while I was turning and said wow that is loud to someone who hasn't lost any hearing. The cutting and the lathe hum is what she was hearing (I was coring at the time). I guess we get used to it and don't think much about it until it is to late. Combine just regular turning with dust collectors, sanding drills, air compressors, blowing air, and etc. I think we all are lured into believing it is OK when it is not. Hearing loss is gradual and all of these things contribute so take care of your limbs, body, eyes, hearing, lungs and etc. before it is to late. I used to go by the mantra of buy what you can afford when it comes to purchasing a lathe. Now I believe in buying what you can afford after purchasing all of the safety equipment needed in our hobby/business. At least you will, most likely, be around to buy an upgraded lathe later if you find you need/want to make that purchase.
I am a contractor. So the hum of equipment over the years is what they suspect. Only recently did I understand how noisy my lathe is when a friend came in while I was turning and said wow that is loud to someone who hasn't lost any hearing. The cutting and the lathe hum is what she was hearing (I was coring at the time). I guess we get used to it and don't think much about it until it is to late. Combine just regular turning with dust collectors, sanding drills, air compressors, blowing air, and etc. I think we all are lured into believing it is OK when it is not. Hearing loss is gradual and all of these things contribute so take care of your limbs, body, eyes, hearing, lungs and etc. before it is to late. I used to go by the mantra of buy what you can afford when it comes to purchasing a lathe. Now I believe in buying what you can afford after purchasing all of the safety equipment needed in our hobby/business. At least you will, most likely, be around to buy an upgraded lathe later if you find you need/want to make that purchase.
The AB is a pleasure to turn on. I would say it beats the 3520 and 4224 in every category you can name except perhaps the spindle lock.
I don't understand your comment about the spindle lock. My recollection is that the spindle lock on the 3520 has always been a pain i
The AB is a pleasure to turn on. I would say it beats the 3520 and 4224 in every category you can name except perhaps the spindle lock. I like the Powermatic push button spindle lock. I only lock the spindle to tighten or lossen things on the spindle. One hand tightens/loosens the other pushes the button to lock. It is the most convenient of the spindle locks. The powermatic gets a lot of bad press because the button pops out. For me that is a feature. Wish the ONEWAY had that.
.... Contrary to poplar belief Stubbys are still being made and supported by the original company in Australia. I recently lost a small and unique part of my tail stock. I did not even know what the part looked like. I contacted the company in Australia and they responded immediately with an offer to ship a new part at a very reasonable cost. They also sent a sketch of the part and told me how to make a replacement with a brass rod, hacksaw and file, which I did.
The owner now is the son of the original engineer founder. Rod Caddaye has been there since the very first welded prototype was built. I just ordered a new Stubby 1000. They have the best customer service.The original owner Omega Tool & Engineering closed in 2013 and a new company AMP Engineering Solutions acquired the Stubby lathe business. I suspect that some of the Omega employees are involved in the new company. For a while they weren't interested in exporting the lathes. Somewhere along the way they apparently realized their mistake and now sell direct to overseas customers. Although I've never turned on a Stubby, I have fondled one back when Bill Rubenstein was the US distributor. I agree it is one of the top tier lathes.