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Powermatic 3520 max length between centers

T

tedeast

Joined
Nov 11, 2005
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Hello all,

I am in the process of upgrading to a larger lathe and have narrowed my search to the Jet 1642EVS or the Powermatic 3520 a/b. I'm am reluctant to go with the Powermatic because it's listed as 34 1/2" between centers and my first project planned for the new lathe is to turn 36" spinals to match a custom railing. Can the Powermatic be stretched to 36" between centers if the head and tail stock overhang the bed slightly, without compromising safety? I would really like to avoid having to purchase the bed extension just for one project.

-Ted
 
You can overhang the head about 3/4-1.0 inch and that's about it. For the tailstock, about the same. You can always buy the 18" bed extension.

And for your spirals you'll need to take into account whatever you are using for drive spur and tail center. If you have narrowed your selection to those 2 lathes it would be very much worth your while to go and look at each machine in person. There may be other things you like or dislike about them.
 
Just as an FYI, with the Jet you can get either one of two different bed extensions. One is 20" and the 2d one is about 57". I have the 20" extension and I can go about 60" between centers right now. Get the long one and it's about 8'.

Paul
 
Powermatic

I am a big fan of my PM 3520. To do your work you would need the extention that Jeff mention in his reply. I wish I had one as I recently did some spindles and found the "hang off the end" situation quite unnerving. There is too much to risk in doing that and I turned the job over to someone else. You could not be unhappy with a 3520 b. Phil 🙂
 
Another item to consider in the 3520b is that it has a spindle holder on the far side of the lathe. This lets you mount a turned spindle as a reference piece that you can use as a guide while turning the current spindle. The reference piece does not turn at all. It just sits on the far side of the lathe about 12" above the bed, mounted between extended centers. It wouldn't be that hard to create this setup yourself, but it is one of the new features on the 3520b.
 
I was wondering can the 18" bed extension be used in conjunction with the 50" bed extension? Can the 18" bolt on to the end of the 50" extension? Does the 50" have provisions on the end to add another extension?

-Ted
 
I don't know about PM, but you can with the Jet bed extensions. In fact with the Jet, I wouldn't be surprised (if you had a level enough floor) you could connect more than one of the longer bed extensions onto the same lathe (each one comes with a set of legs) as each end has a set of connections.

I found the pdf on the Jet setup a while back but I don't remember where I found them. Good luck

Paul
 
PM 12020 ( 120" bed 20" swing)

I made my own bed extension. PM wanted $900 for another full length bed and that was still too short. See www.turningaround.org in the tips section. My phone # is on the site if you want to call. I will sell my extension for $300 and make a new one to 12'.
Addation
I used 3" angle iron 1/2" thick for the ways and 2" square stock for the legs. 1" angle iron used to join the ways. Also posted a outrigger for my banjo so I could turn some 32" column bases.
 
Last edited:
Akranson

I looked at your shots of your lathe extension, impressive. Did you find another lathe bed and join them together? That's a heck of a deal you're offering, $300 for the extension. With the Jet, the 20" extension was $200 when I bought mine and the 57" was just over $500 (Amazon had free shipping). If I had the room, I would have gotten the long extension but this was all I could fit at this time.
 
bed extension

I used 1/2" by 3" angle iron and welded my own bed extexcion. The $300 price would pay for the materials to make a 12' bed extension. As a FYI neither the lathe or extencion are bolted to the floor. I static balance any looooong stuff.
 
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