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i have a delta mini right now and i am thinking of buying a big lathe i have looked at powermatic oneway and vicmarc any ideals on the best way to go
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new lathe
- Thread starter russell marks
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You have quite the spectrum of pricing covered. Any of the three are fine machines, and will be more than serviceable. If you do a search of this or any of the turning forums you will find another spectrum, of folks advocating what they prefer. My only advice is, determine what your use will most likely be and then buy the best machine you can afford. Keeping in mind you may need to buy another in the future if your turning takes yet another course.
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is there one lathe that stands out or are they all pretty close if i got ten of you guys that really know whats going on what lathe would you buy? and thank you for getting back to me
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For what it's worth.
I recently got a Teknatool dvr xp with outrigger. It has more power the the oneway 1640 I tested and runs just as quiet. I don't detect a difference in power at 100 rpm compared to say 600 rpm. Everything lines up and functions just as I expected it to. with the outrigger I can turn a 29" bowl outboard, and even with unbalanced pieces I have to be reckless to make it walk. Moving into a basement shop soon, this will not be as hard a move as the oneway could have been.
I recently got a Teknatool dvr xp with outrigger. It has more power the the oneway 1640 I tested and runs just as quiet. I don't detect a difference in power at 100 rpm compared to say 600 rpm. Everything lines up and functions just as I expected it to. with the outrigger I can turn a 29" bowl outboard, and even with unbalanced pieces I have to be reckless to make it walk. Moving into a basement shop soon, this will not be as hard a move as the oneway could have been.
Ditto what David said. I have the DVR XP and it runs smoothly, quietly and has plenty of power either on 110V or 220V.
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is the dvr a better lathe than powermatic as you can tell i am real new to this just want to try and do it right the first time thanks for your help
Though I have never turned on a DVR, I think the PM is a step up. Bigger had heavier, and more power. The sliding headstock is a plus. It was and probably still is the best bang for the buck out there. I had one for 8 years and traded up to a Robust. I use the low end speeds for sanding warped bowls, and I don't think the Nova will go below 100 rpm. The A model of the PM would go down to almost zero. The B model stops at 50 rpm, but can be programmed to go slower. The DVR is an excellent lathe, and our local Woodcraft store is letting us use one for our demos. I will get a chance to turn on one shortly.
robo hippy
robo hippy
To each his own!
Russell, for what it's worth, a Oneway owner will always say the Oneway is the best. A Vicmarc owner will always say Vicmarc is the best and a Powermatic owner will always say a Powermatic is the best. So it all depends who you ask, what lathe they own and how much money they had to spend.
Here is a little story that will maybe put this in perspective for you. A friend of mine who was a new turner wanted a new lathe. He asked my opinion which I gladly gave him. I pretty much gave him the same three options I mentioned above. He asked me why I choose my Vicmarc VL 300 longbed. My answer was that after doing extensive research on the Oneway and Vicmarc I determined that it was for me a waste of money to spend an extra $2000 for a Oneway. There was nothing "better" about the Oneway for me. Both had 3hp, electronic speed control, outboard capibilities, remote switch and very heavy. And the fact that the Vicmarc had a longbed with cast iron ways sealed the deal for me.
After a few months he calls me an said, I bought a Oneway. I asked him what it was that helped him decide and his answer was that everyone in his club uses Oneway. Money was no issue for him so the fact that today his lathe sits in his garage seldom ever used doesn't matter. It was more a status symbol for him to be able to say, "I have a Oneway."
Be realistic and be certain before you buy a $5000 or $6000 lathe. Maybe the $2000 lathe is enough. Will you ever make 40" bowls? The odds are you won't. So do you need outboard accessories? Do you need a 24" swing or is 20" enough? One thing I will advise is get as much power as possible. 3hp is better than 2hp which is much better than 1hp.
Remember, you are making the decision so do your homework and ask why people like what they like. Don't just settle for the stock answers like Oneway is the best. Tell me what makes Oneway the best. Or tell me what makes the Aussie Vicmarc better than the Crafts supply version. Ask detailed questions. Most folks don't want to admit they over spent or got a lemon. Sometimes you have to pry out the details.
Now for my lathe. I have the Crafts Supply version of the Vicmarc VL 300 longbed. After five years of heavy use I've had to replace one part and that was my fault. I dropped a log while mounting it and it fell on the on/off switch and broke it. I ordered the part and received it the next day via UPS next day air. I am very happy but would I be very happy with another lathe? Probably!
Be well.
Ed
Russell, for what it's worth, a Oneway owner will always say the Oneway is the best. A Vicmarc owner will always say Vicmarc is the best and a Powermatic owner will always say a Powermatic is the best. So it all depends who you ask, what lathe they own and how much money they had to spend.
Here is a little story that will maybe put this in perspective for you. A friend of mine who was a new turner wanted a new lathe. He asked my opinion which I gladly gave him. I pretty much gave him the same three options I mentioned above. He asked me why I choose my Vicmarc VL 300 longbed. My answer was that after doing extensive research on the Oneway and Vicmarc I determined that it was for me a waste of money to spend an extra $2000 for a Oneway. There was nothing "better" about the Oneway for me. Both had 3hp, electronic speed control, outboard capibilities, remote switch and very heavy. And the fact that the Vicmarc had a longbed with cast iron ways sealed the deal for me.
After a few months he calls me an said, I bought a Oneway. I asked him what it was that helped him decide and his answer was that everyone in his club uses Oneway. Money was no issue for him so the fact that today his lathe sits in his garage seldom ever used doesn't matter. It was more a status symbol for him to be able to say, "I have a Oneway."
Be realistic and be certain before you buy a $5000 or $6000 lathe. Maybe the $2000 lathe is enough. Will you ever make 40" bowls? The odds are you won't. So do you need outboard accessories? Do you need a 24" swing or is 20" enough? One thing I will advise is get as much power as possible. 3hp is better than 2hp which is much better than 1hp.
Remember, you are making the decision so do your homework and ask why people like what they like. Don't just settle for the stock answers like Oneway is the best. Tell me what makes Oneway the best. Or tell me what makes the Aussie Vicmarc better than the Crafts supply version. Ask detailed questions. Most folks don't want to admit they over spent or got a lemon. Sometimes you have to pry out the details.
Now for my lathe. I have the Crafts Supply version of the Vicmarc VL 300 longbed. After five years of heavy use I've had to replace one part and that was my fault. I dropped a log while mounting it and it fell on the on/off switch and broke it. I ordered the part and received it the next day via UPS next day air. I am very happy but would I be very happy with another lathe? Probably!
Be well.
Ed
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Since all three are more than good enough to turn wood, and, as others have mentioned, even less expensive alternatives will give you hours of pleasure at the lathe, the intangibles will make your decision.
Space limitations favor one of the expanding types, where you can shorten up when you don't need the length. I'd rather turn over the bed with the help of the tailstock, so that is where I want my capacity. I have experienced freestanding toolrests, so I don't favor turning over the end. Weight of the machine as shipped is a silly supporting argument. Bolt it down and all weigh the same. And you don't have to keep space reserved to slide (why not rotate ) and stand at the end. The ones with their own stands always have some adjustment, but if you're exceptionally short or long in the inseam, or you like to turn low or high on the body, you'll end up shoring or sawing anyway.
Guy I bought my lathe from bought a big Oneway. After I set up the machine he had been turning on properly, it performs great. With him, anyway, something with limited adjustment opportunity was a big plus. Might be a consideration.
Space limitations favor one of the expanding types, where you can shorten up when you don't need the length. I'd rather turn over the bed with the help of the tailstock, so that is where I want my capacity. I have experienced freestanding toolrests, so I don't favor turning over the end. Weight of the machine as shipped is a silly supporting argument. Bolt it down and all weigh the same. And you don't have to keep space reserved to slide (why not rotate ) and stand at the end. The ones with their own stands always have some adjustment, but if you're exceptionally short or long in the inseam, or you like to turn low or high on the body, you'll end up shoring or sawing anyway.
Guy I bought my lathe from bought a big Oneway. After I set up the machine he had been turning on properly, it performs great. With him, anyway, something with limited adjustment opportunity was a big plus. Might be a consideration.
I have had a DVR XP for almost three years now, and I am very pleased with it. I'm sure I would love a Powermatic or Oneway, but my shop is a single car garage, and I just don't have enough space for a lathe that big (or the money 😀). I've never had an issue with not having enough power (torque), or enough turning capacity. The banjo, tool rest, and tailstock all move smoothly and easily, and with a good stand and a few sand bags, it seems pretty sturdy to me.
As for use of the outrigger unit, the capacity is 29" diameter with 8.5" length. However, I think you would be crazy to turn something that big without a tail stock. Just my opinion. I think the outrigger is mainly for turning platters or shallow bowls. However, I made one myself for about $30 worth of materials, and it is nice not to have to lean over the bed ways to hollow out a bowl.
All in all, I'm very pleased with this lathe. If you are close to a Woodcraft, you might see if they have one that you can try out.
As for use of the outrigger unit, the capacity is 29" diameter with 8.5" length. However, I think you would be crazy to turn something that big without a tail stock. Just my opinion. I think the outrigger is mainly for turning platters or shallow bowls. However, I made one myself for about $30 worth of materials, and it is nice not to have to lean over the bed ways to hollow out a bowl.
All in all, I'm very pleased with this lathe. If you are close to a Woodcraft, you might see if they have one that you can try out.
R
Ron Sardo
Guest
I once asked PM owners if they would ever "upgrade" to a OneWay
Here are the replies
http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=617
Here are the replies
http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=617
I havea Powermatic 3520A I have had for a few years. Done a few minor modes to it bring it closer to a B.
I love it and I don't ever see replacing it with a Oneway or anything else.
Is it better than the others no. What it is is a great lathe ESPECIALLY for the money. It will do anything I ask of it.
To me there is no better value for the money than the Powermatic 3520.
I love it and I don't ever see replacing it with a Oneway or anything else.
Is it better than the others no. What it is is a great lathe ESPECIALLY for the money. It will do anything I ask of it.
To me there is no better value for the money than the Powermatic 3520.
None of the above
As the happy owner of a Jet 1642 EVS I can honestly say without bias that, if you want to spend a lot of money on a lathe then go for a Stubby or a Robust. Both are superb machines that really do stand above the competition.
Marc
As the happy owner of a Jet 1642 EVS I can honestly say without bias that, if you want to spend a lot of money on a lathe then go for a Stubby or a Robust. Both are superb machines that really do stand above the competition.
Marc
The PM 3520 seems to be the lathe that sells more than any other in it's size range. It's also one you very rarely see be resold. That should tell you something.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I am extremely happy with my Powermatic and still think it is the lathe I would buy again unless a whole lot of money just fell out of the tree. If money was not an problem I would look very seriously at the Stubby, Robust, and Oneway and maybe even the new Serious lathe.
I had a Nova 3000 and it is a good lathe now replace by the 16/24 and the DVR. I don't think they are in the same league as the Powermatic 3520B but then they are less exensive.
I've turned on Oneways and STubby's and they are excellent but each lathe has some small things that you wish you could change so it's a really good idea to turn on any lathe you want to buy if at all possible.
I had a Nova 3000 and it is a good lathe now replace by the 16/24 and the DVR. I don't think they are in the same league as the Powermatic 3520B but then they are less exensive.
I've turned on Oneways and STubby's and they are excellent but each lathe has some small things that you wish you could change so it's a really good idea to turn on any lathe you want to buy if at all possible.
There is a nifty lathe spec comparison matrix on the AAW website...here's the link: http://www.woodturner.org/resources/LatheSpecs.pdf
Yeah, there is no one best lathe.
It's question of being clear as far as you can about what you want to turn mostly and then optimising for that. It's all a matter of trade-offs.
If you aren't clear, and newbies often can't be, then buy a cheap lathe with swivel headstock and a yard-long bed ... explore all the facets of turning, until you are clear on what your turning journey looks like for the moment.
It's question of being clear as far as you can about what you want to turn mostly and then optimising for that. It's all a matter of trade-offs.
If you aren't clear, and newbies often can't be, then buy a cheap lathe with swivel headstock and a yard-long bed ... explore all the facets of turning, until you are clear on what your turning journey looks like for the moment.
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thanks
i would like to thank all the people who answered my post, all you are very kind to try and help some new guy you do not know the people on here are a special bunch god bless you all
russ
i would like to thank all the people who answered my post, all you are very kind to try and help some new guy you do not know the people on here are a special bunch god bless you all
russ
Russell,
This is good advice, start with what you want to turn and consider your budget as well. Remember the cost of the lathe can become the smallest outlay.
Putting together what you want to turn and your budget will direct you to a very small list of suitable lathes. From there the choice becomes much easier.
