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Sweet Sixteen

H

Howard Beaver

Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
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Location
Paddock Lake, WI
Lately there have been some in depth discussions about specific lathes. Can anyone comment about the Robust Sweet Sixteen?

I have followed most discussions on this and other discussion groups over the past several years, and heard lots of great things about One Way, Stubby, Jet and Powermatic lathes, (I'm missing some other brands, no slight intended, I can never remember the seventh dwarf!) and some very mixed review of other brands, but only vague references to the Robust line. I have never heard anything but good comments about Brent and his lathes, but nothing very specific.

I am in the market for a new lathe, and I would prefer to buy American, especially as I am also a Wisconsinite, the Robust line has peaked my interest. Any direct experience comments would be appreciated.

Howard
 
No direct experience but I've talked to people online and in person, everyone who has it is thoroughly happy with it. It's a high end lathe, if you've got the $$$ it's certainly worth your attention.
 
I've never seen an actual Sweet Sixteen, so I can't speak to that, but the American Beauty is tough as nails, quiet, and smooth as silk.
I can't imagine Brent building the Sixteen to a lesser standard of excellence, my take is he just doesn't operate like that. Real agreeable fella too.

Both service and attention before and after the sale is flawless, I've never experienced better, and I've bought a lot of tools in the last forty years.

I doubt you would be unhappy to have stainless steel ways either, which is not an option on most lathes. Oneway is the only other that comes to mind, and with them it's not standard.

I'm not totally sure about this, and someone will correct it if it's not right, but off the top of my head I can't think of another brand of lathe that is manufactured in the USA, so if you prefer to buy American you're not overloaded with choice at the moment. Damn shame but there it is.
 
I have had my American Beauty for almost 3 years now, I think. I love it. A bit on the expensive side, but worth it to me. I was wondering when Brent made his Liberty lathe (gap bed 16 inch lathe) why he didn't just go with a sliding headstock. Well, now he has. It does have a vector drive, which I can't really explain, but there is only one speed range or set of pulleys. With the vector drive, you don't need the multiple speed ranges. I prefer a bigger motor with more torque for production work, but if I was going for a 16 inch lathe, I would get the sweet 16. If you do have problems with it, when you call up you talk to Brent, not some tech who has to look things up in a manual. The only problem I had with mine was that I wanted the speed parameters tweaked a bit.

robo hippy
 
The article, Upgrade Your Lathe, from the American Woodturner, Winter 2009 Vol. 24, No. 4 will give you some information to begin your search.
 
Brent is a wonderful guy. It would be well worth your time and effort to talk to him and make the trip to his shop to see the lathe in person and go through all it's functions. Then you'll be more informed about it than anything you could read on the net.
 
Howard,
There will be a sweet 16 in one of the demo rooms at Hartford.

Robust will have a booth in the trade show at Hartford along with Many other top quality lathes.

Robust is growing company with a good reputation. You don't hear as much about Robust, just because more people own Powermatic, Oneways, stubbies, and jets etc. Robust was founded in 2004 and the other companies have been selling lathes for 15-20 years.

The AAW trade show is about the best place in world to look for a quality lathe. You can test out the machines, how they feel to you, and how they match your turning style.
Stubby, Vicmarc, Oneway, Powermatic/Jet, and Robust all make a machine that may be right for you. You may not turn the way I do and consequently would not appreciate features I use every day. I vice versa may not care anything about a feature you would not live without.

It is rare to find an unsatisfied owner of quality lathe.

The AAW Trade show is open to the public. Anyone who can drive to Hartford in 5 hours ought to make a day of it. Of course best of all is going to the symposium and seeing the big show.
There is so much to learn at the AAW it makes us wish we were issued larger brains.

happy turning,
AL
 
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There is so much to learn at the AAW it makes us wish we were issued larger brains.
Click to expand...

i agree with Al. i have only been to one national symposium, and it was overwhelming, just enjoy, the trade show would be worth a visit for it alone, save a time for instant gallery, and the rotations are great.
 
Howard,

I just saw the last issue of Woodwork Magazine. There is an excellent article about David Ellsworth in this issue and it shows him working on his 25" Robust lathe. He is somehow affiliated with Robust and has them in his studio. I cannot imagine David endorsing this lathe if he isn't absolutely happy with it.

I have had a Robust since September of 2006. Brent has upgraded a few features since then, one of which is the banjo. I chose to get a new banjo at a greatly reduced price and I am extremely pleased with the new one - it is rock solid. At this point I can enthusiastically endorse the Robust lathe and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys quality machinery. And I can also say that Brent is one fine individual who is a pleasure to deal with.

Go for it!

Respect the bandsaw,
 
Hi Howard,

While I have not had experience with the Robust Lathes, I would have to say that if I had it to do all over again, I should have saved up for the Sweet 16 or better still, the American Beauty. People sometimes forget about the 'total cost of ownership' which includes support.
While most quality lathes have few problems, I bought my Nova DVR/XP in 2006, and it is down for the second time with issue the same problem I had before. While Tim (US support - he's the only one) is a great person to work with, having to ship stuff across the country to get it serviced is a pain and takes time. (The first time my system was down for 6 weeks.)
Since you are from Wisconsin (I was born in Racine) getting support from Robust would be relatively easy if you might happen to need it. Along with the their 7 year warranty, I don't think you could go wrong with either of their these two lathes.

Hope you enjoy whatever lathe you select.
Cheers,
Larry
 
ED and Larry

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. I'm still working on the long campaign of convincing my lovely wife, and your comments will go a long way toward that end.

Howard
 
Robust fan!!!

I believe that Robust should be considered any time someone wants the highest quality and best service. They are also made in the USA which I fully appreciate.

I would rather spend a little more money and end up with a product I am very satisfied with than save a little money and be marginally happy.


Don Geiger
 
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