I'm looking for a larger used lathe and currently have a Jet JWL1236. I've been very happy with it but now its time to move up.
I'm thinking the priority should be a minimum of a 1 1/2HP -110Volt motor, electronic speed control, movable headstock, reversing, 1 1/4" spindle and indexing. Anything else?
Where can I start looking besides Craigslist and eBay? I live in the San Diego area.
Any tips on how to determine the condition of the lathe would be appreciated.
I think there was a post on the AAW site that asked why nice big used lathes don't show up for sale. The general opinion was that they are held on to almost till someone dies. Then they are often sold to a woodturning friend without an advertisement needed. Very rarely, you will see one on the AAW site. There was a couple in Florida recently on there, in the $4500 range. A really good used lathe is indeed hard to find.
I would keep your eyes open for a used Jet 1642 lathe or a used Powermatic 3520, which fit your desired list of features. Some higher HP machines may require 220 volt electrical service.
Although there are some other lathes (such as Grizzly) that might fit your search criteria, given the problem history of some of these middle-to-low-tier lathes that has been posted here and elsewhere, I suggest that you keep looking for a Jet or Powermatic. You can search for product reviews and questions about customer service, availability of parts, etc. to get an idea of what lathes to look for and what lathes to stay away from (you asked!). This advice will vary by individual turner.
Although a bit dated (2009) the table found at the link provides a useful comparison by features and sizes of lathes available in recent times. Some of the newer lathes may not be included on the list, so you may need to seek-out your own comparison data if you are considering these.
Good luck, and be patient as you look for used lathes.
Opening up to the option of 220v is going to help you a fair bit, I should think. If I was closer I would offer up my DVR XPas it is about to be replaced by something big from Australia with some weird moving bits.
Looks like a used Powermatic 3520 A or B would be right up your alley. If you find a 3520A (headstock is rectangular, w/out beveled corners, and tool rest banjo is not offset), be sure to check out the metal disk (about the size of a hockey puck) that clamps the sliding headstock to the bed. These were originally made of cast iron, which can break, and allow the entire headstock to come off the lathe! The newer ones are steel, which corrects this problem. This is an easy upgrade, and I'll bet Powermatic would rather give you the new one than face a lawyer representing the owner of a disembodied headstock with broken body parts -- just a guess, though.
I also think the Nova 3000 and DVR lathes are a pretty good value, though they are a little lightweight, and need to be bolted down to a heavy & rugged bench or stand to really work with larger chunks of wet wood. If you are good with machinery, you could also keep an eye & ear out for older cast iron lathes that were common in trade school shop programs, and are now sometimes on the used market. A Powermatic-90 can make a real good workhorse, and General Machinery makes a pretty good full-sized lathe, too. The really old cast iron industrial lathes are often valuable for woodturning as long as the bearings can be replaced. Good names are Oliver, Blount, etc...
BTW: providing 220V power to a lathe is a very simple matter if you have typical grid power from a local utility. If you don't know how to wire the circuit, check with any local electrician, for whom this will be a very easy assignment. 3-Phase power is another matter, but there are inverter solutions for that, too.
Use Search Tempest so you can search Craig's list by miles instead of city by city. It will list everything within say 100 or 200 miles (your option) and by selecting the display results together it makes a nice list. Find all of the clubs in your search radius from the AAW site and check their newsletters often, some of them have a for sale page. Be patient, took me eighteen months to find just what I was looking for.
I have a friend in Sebastopol, CA (about 50 + miles north of San Francisco) who is trying to sell a Powermatic 4224. It is in good shape. This is the older version and not the new one that came out recently. The headstock does not move. Firm price of $2800. Does not have the grill guard. The owner has had some health problems and can not stand at the lathe as needed. He is going to get a sit down lathe. Might be worth a trip north? I have not talked with him for a month or so ........so do not know if it is still available. But I will check if you are interested.
Don't let Grumbine's disparaging comments about the Stubby line affect you. He has incurable lathe envy. I don't think he understands what all the moving bits are about.....
My Stubby is almost 5 years old and I have not made it break out in a sweat and I have used it for everything from birdhouse perches to a 24" bowl to a 28" platter. I have several more platter blanks that will stretch the swing diameter close to its limit.
Enjoy and treat George well. I call my lathe "Anchorman" just to vex the inimitable Mr. Grumbine. By the way Bill, get well soon, I hope your foot heals quickly.
I'm defiantly interested in more information about the lathe. Some pics would be very helpful as i am not to familiar with this one. I would be a long road trip but perhaps well worth the effort. Thanks for your help.
I got to spend some time with Mark Salisbury last week and I quickly realized that the Stubby is the lathe I want, with all of the features I want like its small footprint.
I have no clue regarding distances between cities and states (being Canadian, eh) but there is a new-in-box 3520b in Corpus Christi. I just saw the ad over on the Creek.
I will check and make sure it is still available. It is a Powermatic 4224 - but not the new one. This headstock does not move. The price is really good $2800 firm. It is in good shape. I do not know where you live - but it is located about 50 miles north of San Francisco.
