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New Lathe

Bruce Wallace

Bruce Wallace

Joined
Dec 20, 2008
Messages
16
Likes
1
Location
Edmonton, AB
Hi everyone,

I need some help / advise, I am looking at getting a new lathe and want to buy one that will last as long as I will.

I am currently looking at the Oneway 2436 and the Vicmarc VL300 long bed. I have no experience on either of them but they are the lathes that have been recommended to me.

Does anyone have any good or bad points about these lathes, from set up, use and customer support? I have a week left in a sale on the Vicmarc that prices it $1000 below the Oneway (I am calling the company tomorrow to see if they will make a deal) so I need to make a decision soon.

Thanks for any input you can provide.
 
I'll recommend the one you don't buy, because it will have none of the shortcomings of the one you do. 😉

Seriously, either would be a great large lathe. The extra length of the Vic might be something you need, but in my shop it would cause me to relocate my workbench, which would displace my two benchtop tools residing on the bench against the other wall, moving the sander forward into the planer storage area ... and pushing me out the door.

If you're into pleasure turning, those mommas would not limit you in size, though selling a bowl of the capacity they could turn might prove a problem. The Vic is Aussie iron and US electrics, so the things likely to give trouble are going to be local in any case. The Oneway has a lot of ways to keep draining your pocket, especially in the outboard turning area, so it will allow multiple levels of lust and satisfaction.

Tough decision.
 
Your post brings up the same issues I've seen over and over about picking a new lathe. You didn't describe what you like doing most, the amount of space you've got or anything but relative pricing. Anyone sinking multiple thousands of dollars into a piece of iron (or steel) needs to have an understanding of what they need it for unless they don't mind not being satisfied with it after a year or so. The space you have in your shop is also important. On top of these issues, this whole topic always brings up heated discussions about which brand is better, because no one want's to think their favorite is uglier than any one elses.

Examples of lathes with 24" swing and more include:
  • Oneway's 2436, with 24" of swing is well built, but a really large piece of machinery needing lots of space.
  • Powermatic's 4224 is another large capacity lathe that is large in size.
  • Vicmark's VL300 has 30" of swing, considerably more, and is also well built and a really large piece of machinery. If you get one from a US distributor, it'll have a stand and electronics from here.
  • Stubby's 750 also has 30" swing, is well built but has a considerably smaller footprint. It's unique articulated bed makes it equally well suited for bowls or spindle work and it's different than any other lathe on the market.
  • Robust and Serious are both made in the USA, are well built, and are really large pieces of machinery.
  • Vega is a US manufacturer that makes a 26" swing lathe especially suited for bowl work that also has a small footprint.
I'm certain lots of folks are going to post tons of arguments for what they prefer, but you'd better have an understanding of what you want to do with one to pick whatever will be best for you.
 
My advice,

Get a Powermatic 3520 and spend the money you save on classes at one of the Craft schools or a turner's studio.

The improvement in skills and outlook provided by the classes will do more to increase your enjoyment of turning than a more expensive Lathe.

The Powermatic will last as long as you do.

Happy turning,
Al
 
I have a Oneway 2436, 3 HP and love it. I will never have to buy another lathe. That being said, I would recommend that you find someone who has the lathes you are looking at and turn on them if you can. By doing this you should be able to get a feel for what is most comfortable to you. I have turned on a PM and it is a good machine. I have turned on a Stubby and didn't like the feel of it at all. I think all of the high end machines are good quality equipment but they all have a different feel and if you don't like the feel you will never be happy.
 
Boy I could not agree with Al more. Hands on experience will improve your enjoyment of the lathe (whichever one you get) more than which lathe you buy. I think you should buy a good lathe but just about everything from the Nova 16/24 on up will do a good job. I have the powermatic and even though I always look at the bigger "better" lathes I doubt any one of them would make me a bettter turner.
 
Thanks for everyones input, I am still trying to figure it all out but I am definetely going to play with the lathes before I buy one.

I still welcome all input: I am a fairly novice turner, but want to learn and am talking small courses when I can. I want to get a lathe that will not need to be replaced unless I take up something really specialized. For now I will be sticking to small bowls (4-12"), plates, and small baby toys.

Shop space is not an issue as I just got rid off a lot of stuff I did not use, and can deep six a couple of old lockers if needed. I have less than 12 feet from where the lathe would go to either 110 or 220 volt power.

Being in Canada the shipping for some of the lathes mentioned would be very expensive, as well as the customs and duty charges.

I have the following options for a lathe that are easily obtained from local suppliers:

Oneway 2436 - $6500
Vicmarc VL300 long bed - $5500 (VM-120 chuck included for free)
General 26020VD-M2 - $4700
Powermatic 3520B - $3550

The prices are pickup from the store and do not include any tax. There is a huge price difference and most likely a fair bit of capability difference as well, but that only matters if I ever get good enough to notice.

I am glad you guys are here to bounce ideas back and forth with.

Everyone have a merry ho ho.
 
I will tell you what to get. I bought a vl300cs from Craft Supplies USA. Theirs is cheaper than the one you mentioned above. I am a Vicmarc fan, I have seen no other lathe that has the same quality looking construction(in my mind). I would say get the Vicmarc from csusa.
Wyatt
 
Bruce

Of the lathes you've got listed, if you can afford it get the Vicmarc.

From a functionality standpoint, the Vicmarc and Oneway are basically the same lathes, fixed headstock, capacity, power, etc. People who have them love them and if you turn on the Vic and the Oneway, my bet is you'll get the Vic. Both companies make good products, it's just if you're going fixed headstock, you'll be very happy with the Vic.

If you're on a budget, you won't go wrong with the PM3520. It's a little smaller but it has a sliding headstock, something I'm a big fan of. The sliding headstock gives you more options positioning the work so that you can work more comfortably.

The General is pretty old-school at this point, used to be a top of the line machine, but boy, things have really changed in the last few years.

Good luck, get what you want, don't look back, and have fun turning.

Brent English, Robust Tools
 
From someone who uses one, there are some advantages to the Oneway. Take a good look at the accessories all of which are excellent. To mention a few good things about the lathe, the chucks and plates lock on to the spindle with set screws. This allows one to turn in either direction, something I find I often do. The alignment of the headstock and the tailstock is accurate. This is important and is not the case with many lathes. Speed control and torque is very good and the switching is on a moving arm rather than the head post. They clearly have given a great deal of thought to the design of their products. It's very sturdy and well made and the company (in Canada) is very good to deal with.

Good luck with your choice.

Malcolm Smith.
 
Too many choices

I have a Oneway 2436 and love it. Service and support is great. I looked at the Vicmarc but in my shop the shortbed was too short and the longbed to long to fit. I believe either one will do almost anything you want to do and both have the accessories you need. I guess it kinda comes down to do you like white or blue.

Vernon
 
I think we have covered this subject a number of times. Seems that the ones who have a particular lathe say that is the best. (Me included.) I vote that you go try all of them in a friends shop and then pick the one you like the best. I purchased a Oneway 2436 and figure that it is the last lathe I will have to buy. I love it. I had a General 260 before that. Nice old lathe but the Oneway runs smoother and is easier to use. I have turned on a number of other lathes and still think the Oneway is the best. (I told you this was coming.) What a nice problem to have though. Enough money to buy the lathe you want, and some time to make that decission. Fun!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Hugh
 
Go somewhere and try one. There should be a friend that has a Vic or a Oneway that you could try. If not you could do what I did and take a course at Craft Supplies USA, that is where I first used a Vicmarc. They also have Oneway, Powermatic 3520, old style green Woodfast(or at least they did when I went there) Rikon, and maybe even a Nova DVRXP.
Wyatt
 
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