What we need

[DWFII]

What Powermatic and Jet need to do is make a less expensive version of their lathes in a "shortbed" model. Perhaps with the option of adding a ways extension later on. But with the popularity of bowl and HF turning, I think they would sell many more short beds than long beds. The Vicmarc 300 is a great example but too expensive especially with the added cost of importing from NZ (?)

Heck, I'd be lot happier (and I'm pretty happy right now) if my Jet 1014 (midi) had about two or three more inches of swing and perhaps a rotating headstock. At that point, I believe I'd have all the lathe I need for a good long time...maybe the rest of my life.

I'd like to see a shortbed (16") version of the powermatic 3520 or the Jet 1642. It would fit in my shop a lot better than the full scale lathes and be just as useful if not moreso.

'Course if I could afford a Stubby....🙂

I wonder if Jet or Powermatic ever looks in on these forums?

Just a thought...


DW
In the High Desert of Central Oregon

 

[Mark Mandell]

The Long and The Short of It

DW,

That's why they made the headstocks on those two lathes moveable. You can slide them to make a short bed for access from the end. I couldn't fit a full-size bedded lathe in my shop and still be able to use the shop.

I was therefore forced to go with the Stubby 😀 😀 😀

M

 

[Sascha]

that's right, i was forced to get a stubby 1000 because NO other lathe would fit,hehehe 😀 😀 😀

now i just can't wait until it gets to the U.S... just a few more weeks.

sascha

 

[Ron Sardo]

Heck, I'd be lot happier (and I'm pretty happy right now) if my Jet 1014 (midi) had about two or three more inches of swing and perhaps a rotating headstock. At that point, I believe I'd have all the lathe I need for a good long time...maybe the rest of my life.

😉 That is called a Jet 1236. Rotate the head 180 degrees and you have a short bed lathe.

 

[DWFII]

It's not the short bed I'm looking for, it's the whole thing. What good does it do to slide (or rotate) the headstock if the whole dern lathe takes up near six feet of shop space? What I want is a Jet mini on steroids (call the commissioner!!)...taller and a little beefier.

I started out with a Grizzley mini...and I guess that got me started but when I got my Jet and turned it on for the first time, I thought "dern! this here's a real lathe!"

I only turn on weekends...so really, what I'd like is a little more capacity not necessarily all that much more lathe.

Of course the Stubby, now...but no...I'll never convince SWMBO.🙁🙁😀


DW
In the High Desert of Central Oregon

 

[Doug Dubowski]

I think the Nova 3000 and DVR fit the bill you described. Both are short bed lathes with reasonable swing (16") with a swivelling head for those that need something a little larger. The bed can also be extended. Variable speed to boot with the DVR.

DGD

 

[TEK]

Another vote for the Nova

I think the Nova 3000 and DVR fit the bill you described. Both are short bed lathes with reasonable swing (16") with a swivelling head for those that need something a little larger. The bed can also be extended. Variable speed to boot with the DVR.

DGD

I have the Nova 3000 and am very happy with it. It is a pre-DVR model.

 

[Mark Mandell]

DW,

Taken a look at the Vega 2400? 24" swing, 17" between centers. Might just fit your criteria, but you won't get one for JET Mini prices About 2G$ from Packard for the 1-1/2 hp 220 model, $500 more for another 1/2 hp. Both variable speed.

Mark

 

[Dtoggs]

Forced To Go With A Stubby!

DW,

That's why they made the headstocks on those two lathes moveable. You can slide them to make a short bed for access from the end. I couldn't fit a full-size bedded lathe in my shop and still be able to use the shop.

I was therefore forced to go with the Stubby 😀 😀 😀

M

I had to laugh,you must have a reserve bigger than most of us turners ha ha .Paul W

 

[DWFII]

Yeah, I've looked at the Novas. That might well be the limit of my finances too. But I hate the thought of having to make a bench for it. Not making excuses...I could do it, but I'd rather be turning.


DW
In the High Desert of Central Oregon

 

[Allen Alexopulos]

Cast Iron Stand for the Nova Lathes

DW,

Teknatool now markets a cast iron stand for the Nova 3000 & DVR:

I use a Nova 3000 equipped with Leeson reversible/variable speed motor and an outboard tool rest. The cast iron stand wasn't available when I purchased the lathe, so I took some time away from turning and built my own stand.

Best Regards,
-Allen

www.lathescapes.com

 

[Mark Mandell]

I had to laugh,you must have a reserve bigger than most of us turners ha ha .Paul W

No much of a reserve, Paul, just one less relative, and a neighbor who came home from work at the WTC early on September 11th.

Felt very strange spending that much on something for myself.

🙂

 

[Whit]

DWFII,
Make the bench. Make YOUR bench, not somebody elses idea of what you want. Oh, and make that sucker heavy, heavy, heavy.

Whit

 

[Jim Carroll]

The cast iron stand is not available for the nova lathes.
They have been out of production for some time due to the increase in cast iron prices in India where they were cast.
Teknatool have not updated their web site.
There is a possibility of them getting them made in the future but that is still a ways of.

It is sometimes better to make your own stand as you can make it to suit your own height.

 

[Allen Alexopulos]

Another Source

Woodcraft is advertising a stand for Nova lathes on their website:

When I built my stand for the Nova 3000, I sized it for my elbow tip height and included features for my specific turning needs (ex., a bench vise on the tailstock end of the ways). I was fortunate to have materials left over from other projects and all of the machine tools that are customarily used to do cabinet work. Many turners don't have easy access to all of this stuff, so purchasing a stand may not be that bad a way to go. This is particularly true if the price point is low enough to be afordable and the quality of construction is reasonable.

Best Regards,
-Allen

www.lathescapes.com