Nova 3000 Is it a deal?

[dlneub]

I was offered to buy a used Nova 3000 lathe. It was used for 2 years by a professional turner. It is the pre DVR version for $1200. It includes the extension and outboard rest and 1.5 HP Leeson variable speed motor with reverse and breaking. I got the turning bug last year and have been using an old delta that is ok for spindles but not bowl turning which I'd like to get into. It has a heay white oak stand. I hate to buy a third lathe in another year or two. Does this sound like a good deal or should I be thinking in another direction. I'm not used to buying used tools but $4000 for a Oneway sounds crazy for a novice to spend.What should I really be looking for when I get to check out the lathe to make sure I'm not going to get burnt buying used...thanks again...Thanks...dave

 

[TEK]

Sounds Fair

Are there two or three sections to the lathe bed? Two sections is the normal configuration. I just bought third section for mine. The bed sections run are $179.00 at Woodcraft. I plan on picking up the outboard rest in the future. They are $269.99 at Woodcraft. If both are included with the lathe thats over $400 of accessories. I would say that is a good deal, especially with the 1.5 H.P. Motor. I have the 1 H.P. variable speed D.C. Motor and can stall it with aggressive cuts. I am pretty happy with the lathe in general. If you do get a more robust lathe in the future you should still be able to sell the Nova at a decent price.
Tom

 

[MichaelMouse]

It includes the extension and outboard rest and 1.5 HP Leeson variable speed motor with reverse and breaking.

Not sure whether you've done the research, or just allowed a homonym to pass, but you hit the nail squarely. One of the problems with the 3000 has been the Leeson motor. http://groups.google.com/group/rec....000+with+Leeson&rnum=2&hl=en#8571df33f7463b62

Second problem has been with the spindly silly-looking tailstock.

Near as I could garner, the Leeson was fitted near the motor housing for a circlip, providing a point of weakness to exacerbate a bad decision on the part of Teknatool to put the slow speed at the greatest distance from the motor. That's where the lumps are spun before they're balanced, and folks hack in occasionally, putting some stress on the motor shaft. Leesons are no longer the motor of choice, and there's a big warning on excessive belt tension in the manual.

The complaint with the tailstock seems to be its small footprint, which makes it difficult to hold in place, and the alignment block, which has a tendency to wind/unwind when you remove the whole from the ways. Then you have to screw around to get your proper thread distance back, or suffer misalignment if you're 180 out, but still within gripping distance.

As I said, the Leeson is out, and the tailstock currently in use with the DVR can be substituted. Therefore, I'd offer a grand and no more if the two known problems were still installed.

 

[dlneub]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Just curious Mike if you've had a bad experience yourself with the 3000 or just passing on what you've read. I read the thread you refered to and it does give me pause but it's always hard to tell how bad a defect is when you read about one or two people's experience. I would also think since I know this lathe was used for a variety of size bowls and projects that it won't be an early defect shaft. I guess it has survived a test of time for what that's worth. Does anyone know what the original price for this machine would have been. I've seen prices from 799 to 1200 but I would think the 799 price didn't include the motor and none of the extras that I'm being offered. Thanks again to anyone who posts-any info and thoughts is helpful...dave

 

[MichaelMouse]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Just curious Mike if you've had a bad experience yourself with the 3000 or just passing on what you've read. I read the thread you refered to and it does give me pause but it's always hard to tell how bad a defect is when you read about one or two people's experience. I would also think since I know this lathe was used for a variety of size bowls and projects that it won't be an early defect shaft. I guess it has survived a test of time for what that's worth. Does anyone know what the original price for this machine would have been. I've seen prices from 799 to 1200 but I would think the 799 price didn't include the motor and none of the extras that I'm being offered. Thanks again to anyone who posts-any info and thoughts is helpful...dave

I own one, but not with the Leeson. Didn't screw around looking for "the" speed when I had the capability, don't now. Just change my cut instead of the knob.

Eight hundred to a grand with the single speed, twelve (final spurt to 14) for the variables. Was the retail range through its lifetime. As I said, the Leeson has/had been withdrawn, the tailstock "upgrade" option touted in the literature. I'd say time has not been as kind as you picture, merely that the turner doesn't hack. Open the back, spin the motor and see if the shaft wobbles. If not, you're in business, though at a higher price than I gave for mine, even compensating for the cost of the variable motor.

Then offer a thousand, and walk if he balks. It's already an orphan.

 

[dkulze]

The lathe you're discussing is exactly the one I purchased from a friend for $1000 including a home built and very solid stand. In retrospect, it would have been nice to pick up a better lathe but the money just wasn't there (and I wasn't aware that the Woodcraft we have our meetings at was about to sell it's demo Nova3000 newer model for the same price).

The problems I've run into are low motor power and, big surprise, the spindly tailstock. These problems have not been sufficient to limit what I can actually do on the lathe but they do slow me down and can be a PITA. For criticism's sake, they're not enough to make me ditch the lathe and I do feel that I got, basically, my money's worth, but I am going quite a bit higher end in my next lathe.

All that said, the brake, reverse, and variable speeds are worth the money just in themselves, and the headstock is solid.

If this is your only option vs. a new lathe at the same price (you'll get less for the money buying new) and you can bargain him down a few hundred it might be worth your time and should hold you for a few years.

Good luck,
Dietrich

 

[epoch5]

Nova DVR 300

I recently bought a refurbished Nova DVR 3000 for $1400.00 and change from taknatools USA Rep. Tvgeistmfg@aol.com Tim is a great guy and will treat you right. The DVR in my humble opinion is GREAT, plenty of power, variable speed and programmable for many other conditions. for $200.00 difference between a DVR and a standard 3000 it's no contest the DVR is the way to go.
The DVR I got from Tim Geist was a woodcraft floor demonstrator I could not tell it from a new one and it has performed like a champ since I got it about 6 months ago. I would email him and see what he has in stock, if nothing else I bet he could give you a better deal on a standard 3000.

Chris