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Nova 1624 lathe

Joined
Oct 1, 2006
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Now that this model has been out there awhile I am wondering what
those who have purchased it think about it. Any comments are
appreciated, good, bad and indifferent. Just wonderng if Teknatool now
using a manufacturing plant in China will affect the quality.

a few pet emergencies have kept me from the purchase so far, hoping
sooon to do the upgrade. It's been alot of thought and measuring.
Right now unless I build on I'm restricted to the JET 1220, Nova 1624
or DVR XP. The 42" lathes just won't fit.

Thanks!

Gerry
 
I think you will be very happy with the fit and finish of the Nova lathes. I've been told that Teknatool owns the plant and has strict quality control of the products. I think you can't beat the 1624 as an entry level lathe, good power, reverse, etc. I have the DVR3000 and am very satisfied with it. The jet is a nice lathe also but doesn't have the power of the other 2 your looking at but will make for a great travel lathe if you had to cart it around. I suggest that you somehow see these lathes in person and make your own judgements.
 
Don't worry about the "Made in China (or wherever)" part. It all depends on the standard and demand of individual company.

Rolex are made in Switzerland; but not all "Swiss Made" watches are Rolex.

The same company owns Lexus and Toyota. Both Jet and Powermatic are made in Far East and owned by the same company. If money is no concern, you know what I am going to choose.

Gordon
 
So in looking over the info on the Nova 1624, it looks to be belt driven. Am I wrong? I thought it was electromagnetic, like that of the DVRxp is?

I too am looking to get the 1624 soon, budget providing. But everyone seems to think its a good setup. I have not heard any bad about the lathes by Teknatool from this forum. But I did run into a another discussion forum and seemed to see that maybe the 1624 has had some problems with a fuse blowing on startup. Has anyone here heard of such problems?

Later,
Ray
 
Note that was Canadian modification (nanny type) on the motor which caused the problem. Should not be a player for you. Fix was wire around.

Most lathes, with the exception of the DVR and a few others are "belt-driven," as it's the smoothest and least expensive way to do the speed changes. Some have variable speed motors so that they can change speeds within the limits imposed by the pulley ratios.

All of which is too complicated for a Polack. I like "second step rough, third step finish" on my 3000, the ancestor of the 1624. The nameplate on the motor says 1HP, and it's more than enough to take shavings off a piece of wood. The rest is technique.
 
Thanks! again to all. For me it's hard to justify an extra $1K for the VS of the DVR-XP over the 1624. However long term I may replace the 1624 motor with a VS version and have VS over 8 ranges.

I've heard belt changing can be a bit tough on the 1624. There may also be some extra moise when running at higher speeds from the belt.

With the lathe needing to be mobile and the work I generally due (goblets, boxes, and segmented vessels) it looks like the best fit. The JET 1642EVS would be nice but it's weight and size may be prohibitive. I have to adapt the top of my mobile cabinet to match the lathe I finally decide on. The cabinet size os 30" wide and 14" deep. Replacing the top with a slight overhang to each side is planned. It should still be steady enough and the added weight of the lathe will help.

One concern was the new Made In China part, especially with all the news stories of late. Hopefully Teknatool keeps a close eye on the plant. Then again it does seem most lathes are made overseas in China, Taiwan, etc.

There's always that little part of me wondering if my current JET mini 1014 is sufficient for the work I do and if the monies for a new lathe would be better spent on a class or two and some wood etc. Then again when you look at the overall cost of tools and accessories the lathe is about the least expensive part.

Thanks!

Gerry
 
gsieracki said:
Thanks! again to all. For me it's hard to justify an extra $1K for the VS of the DVR-XP over the 1624. However long term I may replace the 1624 motor with a VS version and have VS over 8 ranges.

I've heard belt changing can be a bit tough on the 1624. There may also be some extra moise when running at higher speeds from the belt.

I know where you heard that, but you simply have to remove the protective cover to change the belt. Which, if you align the pulleys out of the gate and can keep from starting the lathe with the spindle lock engaged 😉 , should be once every few years. Seems it was a fifteen minute job on my used one. Previous owner had the pulleys so far out of alignment the belt was eaten up. He'd only turned for a year or two, and "very few" pieces, so I figured it was going to eat belts. Bought two extra. First one's still in there after a few hundred pieces.

Don't know about noise at high speeds because I don't use 'em, but you can get a rattle if you forget to tighten the T handle which secures the motor at proper tension. Or fail to tighten the latch on the pulley door. I've done both of those a few times.
 
I received my 1624 in early January 2007. At that time, the handle on the tailstock was broken off. It took 5 months to get a replacement tailstock wheel. I never got used to the lefty-tighty righty-loosey chuck so I put a Talon on and don't think about it.

If I started over, I'd starve for a few months and get the XP. After using a Oneway and PM with VS I would surely love to have VS. However, like all things, it's nice to have but not necessary.

The lathe is belt driven - 8 speeds. Changing is no big deal. It's tricky the first few times but insignificant after that. The machine does make noise. Lately, I'm getting a few low hum. It goes away if I nudge it but then comes right back. Sometimes, the motor makes a lot of noise. More often, it's the motor cover. Since mine never fit right I just leave it open.

As far as a lathe, it turns. As far as I know, it turns consistently. I've put a 30 lb blank on it. Did get some wobble but after it got a little round, the wobbling reduced considerably. I haven't built a stand or otherwise anchored the legs. My lathe is 100% out of the box except for the chuck.

I'd say for the price, there's not much competition. I also can't see why this lathe won't last 100 years.

I started off making bowls. Now, I make small boxes. Eventually, I may get into hollow forms (or not). You can turn the headstock around and turn 29" pieces. I have no idea as to why I would do this. I tend towards utilitarian work, that is, pieces that are functional and useful. So far, the lathe is completely satisfactory for my purposes.

Mayo and Mustard? Don't see the need, don't want to give up more space, and don't want to spend the money.

If you plan on turnings that are consistently over 16" get something else.

I find the tailstock a pain to remove and remount. Sometimes it goes right on but othertimes you have to jiggle and jiggle to get it on. Don't know why then didn't use a circular locking plate instead of a square one.

Burt
 
Burt Alcantara said:
I never got used to the lefty-tighty righty-loosey chuck so I put a Talon on and don't think about it.

Hmmmm ... right tight in the recess, left loose. Your talon bassakwards. Gotta choose one way or the other, after all.

I just adjust my mnemonic to close or open the jaws. "Lefty Lucy doesn't spread 'em for Chuck."

I don't get confused changing the blade on my tablesaw or the nut on the left side of the grinder, either. Some threads are just left-handed. You get used to it.
 
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