Nova 2024 with the swing-away hinge and extra bed extension

[Mike Adams]

Hi,

Has anyone seen a Nova 2024 with the swing-away hinge and an extra 20" bed extension attached to it?

If I added the swing-away and extension like that would the lathe be stable enough for long spindles? I want leave the tailstock stand leg where it is, so the swing-away and extension would not be supported except by their connection to the existing extension.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

I have the Nova 1624-II with the swing away and bed extension. Based on this image I found for your lathe the swing away and extension look similar.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...Vaw2oR12OuQ1QlPz96VvH6Cvw&cshid=1581514028850

But I don't turn spindles to speak of. I primarily use the extension to park the tail stock and swing it out of the way.

The swing away and extension are both solidly built, there are four large bolts that attach each plate of the hinge to the respective ends of the bed or extension. When closed there is an additional bolt that when tightened locks the swing away in place. With the swing away closed the extension is firmly fixed in place and I have noted no static imbalance of the of the lathe, and I have the lighter weight legs. It also runs fine with the tail stock swung away.

However, I have never turned a long spindle while using the tail stock on the extension, so I could not speak to the question of vibration with a long spindle. Also, it was physically hard to install by myself and I was never able to get the three bed surfaces to be be co-planar. I am not sure there is enough adjustment to do so, but I gave up and did some judicious filing. Helpers or a hydraulic table would be nice.

Perhaps if you have some additional specific questions I could attempt to answer them.

 

[Mike Adams]

I have the Nova 1624-II with the swing away and bed extension. Based on this image I found for your lathe the swing away and extension look similar.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...Vaw2oR12OuQ1QlPz96VvH6Cvw&cshid=1581514028850

But I don't turn spindles to speak of. I primarily use the extension to park the tail stock and swing it out of the way.

The swing away and extension are both solidly built, there are four large bolts that attach each plate of the hinge to the respective ends of the bed or extension. When closed there is an additional bolt that when tightened locks the swing away in place. With the swing away closed the extension is firmly fixed in place and I have noted no static imbalance of the of the lathe, and I have the lighter weight legs. It also runs fine with the tail stock swung away.

However, I have never turned a long spindle while using the tail stock on the extension, so I could not speak to the question of vibration with a long spindle. Also, it was physically hard to install by myself and I was never able to get the three bed surfaces to be be co-planar. I am not sure there is enough adjustment to do so, but I gave up and did some judicious filing. Helpers or a hydraulic table would be nice.

Perhaps if you have some additional specific questions I could attempt to answer them.

I did some checking this morning on the swing-away and extension. The 1624 and the 2024 both use the same SKUs. I never thought I'd ever need a longer bed until I decided that I wanted to make some longer handles (>20").

I'm okay for the assembly part, my concern was mainly about the stability with an unsupported final extension. That's a lot of mass to hang out there. When I put together my 2024 I used a 6x6 laid across the tops of a split Gorilla Ladder and couple of come-alongs to shift/suspend the pieces. It was slow but easy enough once I got the balance point right for hoisting it.

Thanks your firsthand information.

 

[Timothy White]

I have a DVR XP with swing away and bed extension. I’ve had no problem turning long spindles.

 

[Gary Beasley]

I have one myself, and have the legs mounted on the extension. The swingaway is solid enough theres no flex though its a bit of a pain undoing the bolt that releases the swing. I rarely use that function anyway. I like the extra length as it gives me room to pull the tailstock out of the way for coring and long handled tools. The one thing I did get rid of was the decorative metal panel that came with it to mount between the legs on front. That got in the way of sweeping so when I moved to the new house I put it away in a corner to collect dust.

 

[Russell Nugent]

I have the extension on the nova saturn. I wouldn't want to leave the legs where they are and add that stuff. Im not good with words but I think the forces being applied by cranking down the tailstock tight would cause issues without support at the end of the lathe.

 

[Mike Adams]

I have one myself, and have the legs mounted on the extension. The swingaway is solid enough theres no flex though its a bit of a pain undoing the bolt that releases the swing. I rarely use that function anyway. I like the extra length as it gives me room to pull the tailstock out of the way for coring and long handled tools. The one thing I did get rid of was the decorative metal panel that came with it to mount between the legs on front. That got in the way of sweeping so when I moved to the new house I put it away in a corner to collect dust.

I may skip the swingaway altogether. I was think that with another 20 inches, I would have enough room to swing a long tool even with the tailstock mounted. If I go that route I'd put the legs on the far end.

That plate is annoying, isn't it? It's a dust magnet, too.

 

[Mike Adams]

I have the extension on the nova saturn. I wouldn't want to leave the legs where they are and add that stuff. Im not good with words but I think the forces being applied by cranking down the tailstock tight would cause issues without support at the end of the lathe.

I was considering that last night.

 

[Gary Beasley]

I may skip the swingaway altogether. I was think that with another 20 inches, I would have enough room to swing a long tool even with the tailstock mounted. If I go that route I'd put the legs on the far end.

That plate is annoying, isn't it? It's a dust magnet, too.

The extensions are built modular so if you need the length without the swingaway then get another extension to bolt on. Probably be cheaper than the swingaway

 

[Mark Jundanian]

I believe the swing away is sold separately from the extension. You can buy the extension first and the swing away another day if you choose.

The components and mounts are very sturdy. I don't think you will have to move the legs to the end of the extension, but you can see for yourself.

I think you probably would have the elbow room with just the extension, but an added benefit of the swing away is that you can park the tailstock on the extension and then still have access to the bed to slide on other equipment, e.g. hollowing rig.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've had to remove the tail stock since I added the swing away and extension.

 

[Mike Adams]

I believe the swing away is sold separately from the extension. You can buy the extension first and the swing away another day if you choose.

The components and mounts are very sturdy. I don't think you will have to move the legs to the end of the extension, but you can see for yourself.

I think you probably would have the elbow room with just the extension, but an added benefit of the swing away is that you can park the tailstock on the extension and then still have access to the bed to slide on other equipment, e.g. hollowing rig.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've had to remove the tail stock since I added the swing away and extension.

That's how I'm coning to think about it, too. My idea was sparked to make some long handles, but never having removing the tailstock is becoming a real factor.