• January Turning Challenge: Thin-Stemmed Something! (click here for details)
  • Conversations are now Direct Messages (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to Gabriel Hoff for "Spalted Beech Round Bottom Box" being selected as Turning of the Week for January 6, 2024 (click here for details)
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

Nova Lathe Questions

J

jdownie

Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5
Likes
0
Well, after reading a lot, I have decided to order a Nova 1624 lathe. Being in Canada, one has very different cost tradeoffs than those in the US. For example, the lathe is 1/4 of the cost of a PM 3520B.

In any case, the package I have ordered includes a G3 chuck, which seems small for the capacity of the lathe. The seller is offering a $125 credit to leave the chuck off the package. What do people recommend?

Also, the heavy, cast iron legs are available for $250. I thought of building my own stand but the seller, who seems a good, honest guy, and a highly skilled turner, is recommending, strongly, getting the legs. Thoughts?

Thanks

John
 
Last edited:
The 1624 is a re-make of the Nova 3000. A great machine if you ask me. I love mine. You didn't say what you were spending for the lathe. New they are ~$1200.00 new.

I have a homemade stand under mine. If you are an average woodworker or welder, you should be able to smack something together that will work well.

I have never used a G3 chuck but I think it is more suited to a mini lathe. New they are $145.00. Spend the $$$ on a quality Oneway, Nova, or Vicmark. You won't regret it. Unless you need an extra light duty chuck. You can never have too many 🙂

Good Luck,
---Mike Gould---
 
I turn with the NovaDVR XP. Use the Super Nova two chuck and you should use this chuck on the 1642. I have a G3 and use it on my Jet mini lathe and it is a good chuck for this mini. Not a good choice for your lathe. Make a heavy bench and reinforce with sand and vibration will be no problem. I use nothing and never have any vibration unless I try to turn too fast with an unbalanced piece of wood. Good Luck Mitch
 
I have my NOVA DVR-XP on a home-brew stand, with a sand-weighted base, it works for me.

I know the (prime/only) Nova vendor in BC, I've done business with him and would again. If you are happy with the price, I think you will be happy with the lathe

Ralph
 
A while back I was able to turn on the Nova 1624 with the G3 chuck. I thought that if was an adequate pairing. At the time it was priced at $900 US, I thought it well worth the money. As to comparing it to the PM3520, I think your statement of it being a third is fair. The Nova 1640 is about a third of a PM3520: in cost. weight, and capability. If it is engineered like the 3000 you will get many years of hard work out of it.

enjoy

Aaron
 
Congrats on the new lathe. I have a both the G3 and a SN2 chucks from Nova, and use them both on my PM 3520b. I have no hesitation to use the G3 except on the biggest, heaviest pieces. I'd guess 80% to 90% of what I turn could be done on either chuck with the same results. The $125 price for G3 sounds decent...if I were in your shoes I'd take it and plan on adding another, bigger Nova chuck. (The jaws will be interchangeable.) Chucks are almost like clamps...you can't have too many.
 
There is no problem using the G3 chuck on that lathe. I have 3 G3's and I use them on all of my lathes. 3520b, DVR3000, Jet 1220, just remember to use common sense. You have three options for a stand, two (Legs) allow for instant use with cast iron legs being the stronger of two choices or building your own which until its built your not using your new toy.
 
John

I have the heavy cast iron legs on my Nova DVR. I like them a lot.
Currently bolted to the floor, but when I change shops, I may put in shelves and try sand.
The only draw back with the legs are they are not adjustable. I think they are made for people about 5' 10". If you are tall you may have to block them up. If you are short you may have to build a low profile platform.
I use a 2" platform for spindle work, but like to be a little lower when doing face plate work so I remove it.

I would take the $125 credit and get a Vicmarc 100. or any semilar quality chuck.

Jerry
 
I picked up a G3 a month ago instead of the new Super Nova. I already had the tommy-bar mini Nova, an open back Super Nova and a Titan. I've never had any problems with the open back Super, but have had to take the Titan apart twice to clean it out. In spite of the open back, I've never had anything jam the old Super up like has happened to the Titan. I've no idea why Technitool closed the new Super Nova up, but I'm not going to find out if 'stuff' gets into it. The G3 works just fine, but is slightly smaller than a Nova.
 
I wouldn't buy the leg set if I had any kind of woodworking shop. They take up room where a cabinet would make room, and that's important to me. I've a 3000, the ancestor of yours.

As to the G3, I think I'd take a pass and use the dollars to get a larger chuck with the locking insert so that I kept my options open on half-forward swings. If you swing the head 45 clockwise, the length of the banjo and toolrest would allow you to turn on the right side of a >16" piece if you reverse rotation. May never use it, but having it available would be nice. I have Novas and Supers, and they've been great performers. If the G3 comes with the L insert, you'd have to go to a price comparison mode, and only you can say if it's worth it.

I've never had a problem with the larger diameter chuck bodies, but I rarely if ever turn outward from the headstock where it might pose a problem on the 1624.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top