PM3520 results

[Jeff Jilg]

I had to close the thread for the results to show up. But I didn't mean to close off discussion about it. This forum is for you guys and I want to be open to suggestions on improvements where possible - including the PM3520 subforum which was suggested. :cool2:

 

[SLandrum]

The results still don't show up for me in that thread, it still says 0%, and the color bars, which I assume are meant to be a bar chart, are as thick as a dime. It does say the poll is closed. The suspense is killing me! 😀
thanks,
Stuart

 

[Jeff Jilg]

Summary of results:
Votes/vote % - item

35 votes/46% - Create subforum
29 votes/38% - Don't even think about creating a subforum
12 votes/16% - Create a 3520 thread in the Tips subforum

So the votes are basically 46% vs 38% - not an overwhelming difference. I creatively reworded the 2nd option in this summary. 😱

 

[Randy Rice]

Not wishing to be a contrarian, but I read the vote differently -- any vote not "for" is a vote "against";therefore, 46% in favor and 54% against. Like you said, the numbers are close.

 

[gary7]

So the final vote means...?

Do I understand that: 1) the "12 votes/16% - Create a 3520 thread in the Tips subforum" group actually is in favor along with the "35 votes/46% - Create subforum" group. 2) If that is so then you have an overwhelming vote in favor of at least some kind of subforum at about 62%. On the other hand, I can not believe that there are really that many more turners with the 3520 than any other lathe. Did all the One Way, Jet, Delta and other brand owners just not have an opinion or refrain from voting? And the final vote means??? A separate forum really does what - if anything - to help? One still has to get into the subform and look at or for what is there. Really no short cut is it? Otherwise the rest of us see the thread title and just pass it by like we do anything else that doesn't interest us. I voted 'no' simply because I really don't think it will matter, not because I own a different lathe.

 

[pencheff]

I voted 'no' simply because I really don't think it will matter, not because I own a different lathe.

.... and I voted "yes" so these Powermatic junkies can have their own little corner where they can constantly tell each other how wonderful their $3000 machines are without the rest of us having to listen to the gospel according to WMH Tool Group.

Sorry, that was a bit nasty. 🙄

I used to be a ham radio operator but one of the reasons I lost interest in the hobby was I got tired of listening to the Yaesu vs Icom vs Kenwood vs whatever (brands of amateur radio gear) owners always blowing on about how their particular brand of gear was superior to anything else. In the greater scheme of things, who gives a rat's patootie?

This AAW forum is top heavy with people who own and love their Powermatic 3520s. My take on it is: if they have their own room where they can exchange tips and stories and whatever then the rest of us don't have to wade through it in the general forum.

My 2 cents worth.

WD8KGK

 

[Martin Braun]

Yeah, give those PM3520 guys some place to go hang out away from everyone else! They are so annoying. Hey wait - I'm one of those people. 😱

To be honest, I've surfed a lot of forums, and I've never seen any PM3520 owners say their lathe is better than other people's lathes. They are usually just happy to get it and enjoy it. Plus there is the whole adventure of getting it off the freight truck, jacking it off the pallet, etc. I would probably be even more happy with a big Oneway, Vicmarc, or Stubby, etc. But the lower cost & good value is what steered me towards it. I imagine that's why it's generated so much buzz. Hopefully, you haven't experienced any brand bashing by any PM owners, but I'd be interested to know if you have.

 

[blackhorse]

Greg,

I'm exactly where Martin is. I think the buzz on the 3520 is it's value for the money. Given more money, I would go with a Vic or Oneway. Maybe others were, like me, pleasantly surprised at the quality.

Having said that, I would now change my vote and go with a 3520 tips page rather than a separate forum. The main forum, IMO, should be to share about turning, the joy and satisfaction of it and what we learn from each other. Equipment should always be secondary.

I had more fun with golf when I accepted that I'll never, evr be the best but am not the worst (although I'm pretty close to the latter). I'll never own the best lathe and am grateful for what I have.

Let's stick together!

Joe

 

[hockenbery]

Jeff,

The Powermatic still doesn't have any unique features that make a subforum worthwhile.

This forum is about woodturning and powermatic owners seem to have alot to offer. Segrating their discussion is not good for the forum.

I can't think of one feature or quirk that is unique to Powermatics or even to the Powermatic/Jet 1640 family, with the possible exception of the yellow color.


many other lathes have
sliding head stocks,
lack index wheels,
have spring loaded spindle locks,
lack threads on the outboard spindle.
8x 1 1/4 threads


happy turning,
AL

 

[Jeff Jilg]

Well guys....I put it to a vote to see if there was an overwhelming majority of people who wanted to have a subforum. An overwhelming majority to me would be something like:
75 votes - create another subforum
25 votes - don't make a subforum

There was not an overwhelming majority vote in either direction.

This forum is for the membership. Heck, if the majority of the membership wanted to take 20% of all the AAW financial capital and buy lathes for 50 middle schools then it would happen. Or if a large group of the AAW wanted to have a special area in the AW Symposium gallery for penturners then we would do it (Hey - we already do that!) Or if a group of AAW members wanted to organize a Katrina relief effort and help people then we would do that!

There is a first time for everything, and sometimes we have to try new stuff to see if it works. For that matter, this forum software is new. Prior to April of last year the AAW was using 8 year old technology....probably good in 1997, but not very good as of 2005. (And again I would like to thank Chris Wright for his outstanding help in getting this new forum up and running).

So it doesn't matter to me whether the PM3520 has unique features or not. But it does matter to me whether people want a subforum or not - regardless of whether I want it or not. As a moderator and a board member I want to be open to new ideas and to enable goodness over time.

I was kinda surprised to see that this was such a controversial topic. Even if we had made a subforum and some folks didn't want it - they wouldn't be forced to post info there or even read it! 😱 As far as I know the AAW has never strapped anyone into a chair and made them post info or read info on the forums!

Jerry has done a good job of posting his nicely organized set of tips into the tips subforum here Thanks Jerry!