Oneway 2436 24 year review.

[Richard Coers]

With the growth of time reviews on Harvey's lathe, I thought I might add a review of my Oneway. No issues in 24 years now, original bearings, original belt, original everything! It's paid for itself at least two times over and I am wearing out before it is. But, I had a 46 year head start before I bought it.

 

[Dennis Weiner]

I bought my 2436 in 2000 as well. I have never had any repairs as well. It just keeps on running! The tailstock is still in perfect alignment and the runout is less than a thousandth after all these years. It was a joy to buy and 24 years later I am still smiling at it.

 

[Dan Marion]

This is very useful information. Having zero issues in 24 years is impressive, especially in contrast to having several issues with my 3520c in just 2 years. It was already likely to be my next lathe but this is just another point for getting one. Also being 35 currently, it would be nice to buy something for the long haul.

 

[Kevin Jenness]

The Oneways are very solid, reliable lathes with excellent customer service. The only drawbacks I see are a lack of innovation and flexibility (when they say Oneway they mean it). Their designs haven't changed in years, so don't expect to see a sliding or pivoting headstock in cream color. I think they limit their sales by refusing to offer a 1 1/4"-8 spindle. If it works, don't fix it, right? When I swapped out my headstock bearings the highly experienced industrial mechanic who helped me was impressed at the design and machining quality.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

They did at one time have a 1 1/4 option as our club had one. I have been told that you can order one with that option but that info is over 10 years old.

 

[Richard Coers]

The Oneways are very solid, reliable lathes with excellent customer service. The only drawbacks I see are a lack of innovation and flexibility (when they say Oneway they mean it). Their designs haven't changed in years, so don't expect to see a sliding or pivoting headstock in cream color. I think they limit their sales by refusing to offer a 1 1/4"-8 spindle. If it works, don't fix it, right? When I swapped out my headstock bearings the highly experienced industrial mechanic who helped me was impressed at the design and machining quality.

They don't produce a machine that is universally accepted by all turners, I don't think anyone does. They have been making a modern lathe for the longest period of time in North America. Must be okay with a pretty broad group of turners. It is the perfect machine for me. I don't want a sliding or pivoting head, and since I upgraded from a 1"-8 lathe, I had no concerns about the 33mm.

 

[Gregory Hickman]

I don't want a sliding or pivoting head

I understand this thought process very much. On the other hand these features will be required on my next lathe. I'm in a wheelchair and even without using these features I know they will assist me in turning many things. An upgrade for me is at least a year away, so I'll have plenty of time researching the right machine.

 

[Bill Blasic]

My Nova DVR 3000 is 23 years old and I have been able to upgrade it to all the improvements they have made, my Powermatic 3520b is 20 years old and problem free, my little Vicmarc VL100 is my oldest lathe and two years ago I did replace the main board that the company that made it still exists and was able to get the same board (The lathe was imported and sold by Craft Supplies). Whoa wait how cam I forget my Nova Mercury lathe with bed extension and outboard turning unit that my Daughter wanted and I took down to her a few months ago, that was the oldest for sure. I surely cannot complain about the lathes that I've had over the last 25 years of turning as they were pretty much problem free.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

You know as we would say, DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, you do not have to "upgrade" later, and yes you can always make it cheaper if that is what you like.
Some large lumps of cheap cast Iron lathes are available that cost less and are quite popular {for the price}, just look at the problem write ups that come up regularly, time and again with problems.
Oneway has the best banjo, these are also bought for these popular lathes.
Using metric is what the whole world uses but for some people in the "One Holdout" (usa) maybe it is time for those to change, rather than the rest of the world having to accommodate these few people.
Oneway designs and manufactures other products for the wood turners and they are also top quality, like I said before, do it right the first time !!
.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

I understand this thought process very much. On the other hand these features will be required on my next lathe. I'm in a wheelchair and even without using these features I know they will assist me in turning many things. An upgrade for me is at least a year away, so I'll have plenty of time researching the right machine.

Greg Oneway does make a so called sit down lathe for turners that are unable to stand at the lathe, same high quality product.
Oneway 1236SD wood lathe.

 

[Gregory Hickman]

Greg Oneway does make a so called sit down lathe for turners that are unable to stand at the lathe, same high quality product.
Oneway 1236SD wood lathe.View attachment 70795

That is an impressive machine. I also looked at the Robust Scout. The issue is have with these lathes is the cost. At $3500 for the Oneway and $6500 for the Scout they are way out of my budget. I'm on a fixed disability income and would have to save for many years to afford them.

Getting something like the Nova Neptune and building a rotateable stand is much more feasible. The Neptune has a sliding and rotating head, feature that will be helpful. Add a rotating stand modeled like the Scouts and it could be a perfect lathe. I don't envision turning anything larger than the Neptune can handle, 15 inch, as manipulating blanks over that size will be difficult. Food for Thought.

Gregory

 

[Kevin Jenness]

Using metric is what the whole world uses but for some people in the "One Holdout" (usa) maybe it is time for those to change, rather than the rest of the world having to accommodate these few people.
Oneway designs and manufactures other products for the wood turners and they are also top quality, like I said before, do it right the first time !!
.

Sure the metric system makes sense in general, but Oneway does itself no favors by refusing to put the common 1 1/4"-8 thread on its large lathes. Having to swap out or adapt one's existing faceplates, chucks, etc. is a real, though perhaps minor, disincentive to buy a Oneway. It's certainly not an issue of strength as 33mm is only minimally larger than 1 1/4". It's not an absolute aversion to the Imperial system either, as the 1224 spindle is threaded 1"-8 inboard and 3/4"-16 outboard, plus they make faceplates and adapters to Imperial specs. It just seems to be "Oneway or the highway". I really like my 2436 but I can't quite understand their position on this issue especially when their closest competitors, Vicmarc and Robust, offer spindle options.

 

[Doug Freeman]

Using metric is what the whole world uses but for some people in the "One Holdout" (usa) maybe it is time for those to change, rather than the rest of the world having to accommodate these few people.

Ain’t happenin’ anytime soon. Been hearing this since the 60’s…not exactly a few people, either, as the population of the US is ~320,000,000.

Oneway wont get my $ for a lathe for this reason. Their chucks/jaws are my favorite. Doesnt make sense that they refuse to offer 1-1/4”x8 spindles (I spent 42 years in mfg, engineering/technical areas).

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Lots of American industries have switched to metrics, automobiles for instance, aerospace and chemical industries and electronic and computers, .
Like I said just a few holdouts, and not all the woodworking industries,
just the European population is 750 000 000, add Asia (China) and South America and Africa plus the Middle East and you have more than triple that, against a few US holdouts.
Oneway has been building lathes and the other pieces for about 45 years, I think it is not wise to bet against them, just time will pass those holdouts by, time is on Oneway's side imo.