>Woodcraft is no longer importing the Nova Mercury lathe. According to tech support, Teknatool raised the price higher than Woodcraft thought they could sell them for. Some stores may still have one in stock, but the only accessories left in the warehouse (for any who might be interested) are four of the outriggers for outboard turning. They had five, but i got one.
I'm still really a novice at turning, but i sure like this little lathe. I hate to see them go.
I heard that too, and it's unfortunate. My Merc is my backup lathe behind my Oneway. I recently did a demo, and took my Merc to use. What a sweet little lathe, too. I do think Nova started dropping the quality later, which also could be part of the problem, too. What I like about the Merc is the vs - which will get down to about 180 rpm, much lower than the Jet mini, as I understand it. Oh well, thank goodness you still have yours, right?
>I'm an owner of the 1/2 hsp Mercury too. My local Woodcraft store told me the same thing although not the point about the price increase. I speculated that part of this may be coming from competition from the Jet mini variable-speed and the clerk at the store confirmed that may be the case.
Checking the Teknatool web site, I found no mention of the Woodcraft situation or any indication that the machine was being discontinued. Woodcraft had a U.S. exclusive on selling this machine. I'm wondering now if some other retailer will pick it up?
The good news is that the lathe will not suddenly stop working although speculation about parts availability will be a concern.
>Jim, you hit it on the head. The dollar has slid badly against all European currency but even worse against Australian. I have been forced to stop importing Vicmarc lathes because the exchange rate has increased my cost by 40% in just a few months. Add to this the big freight forwarders want to be paid in the highest valued currency in the world (which now is the Euro) and you can see that is impossible to import from Australia at the present time. Forecasts are that the dollar will continue to slide for another 3 to 6 months and then possibly strenthen. The problem with all this is that the Taiwan currency is tied to the dollar and that makes the Jet mini a much better deal than the Mercury. Brace yourselves folks, the quality lathes and accessories are going to cost big bucks unless you wait it out. If you can find what you want in current inventories jump on it now. I think when Jet/Powermatic realize how cheap they are compared to other brands their price is likely to go up also. You heard it here.....
>I think that all this means is that Woodcraft has chosen not to be the importer for this lathe.
It is a good lathe in the newer 1/2 hp versions, and it is likely that someone else will start importing it into the US.
Even if that doesn't happen, I wouldn't be concerned about there not being a warehouse full of spare parts here in the US. There is almost nothing in the way of parts that isn't available from other sources. Outside of breaking a major casting, which isn't likely, the most common thing to break is a tool rest; and there are several sources for replacements. Those things that wear out (belts and bearings) are available from local sources at a lower cost than from the distributor of the machine.
Should you need factory service, Tecknatool is as close as a E-mail message, and from what I have heard, their response has been good, and better than from Woodcraft. Delivery from NZ can be almost as fast as within the US.
This will, IMHO, benefit our economy since our own industry will be able to compete. Remember, 50 years ago Japanese goods were very cheap, and often of inferior quality. That is not true anymore, they are excellent and expensive. Same thing is happening in other parts of the world. We are helping their economy, and soon the prices will go up too. GOOD FOR US !
In the meantime, I understand a new source for lathes is coming soon. I hear they will be branded "El Toro" although the minis will be called "El Torito". Shipping costs will be reduced due to the proximity of the manufacture.
The tool rest in these lathes will incorporate the latest technology and safety features to prevent catches, although I am not sure about the horns in the ends of the tool rest.
I hope the paint job on these lathes will not be too extravagant. I still prefer neutral colors.
>I had been putting off ordering a nova DVR until I got around to making a stand, but after reading this post, I ordered this morning before Woodcraft decided thay wouldn't carry this either.
Looks like I have to get started on the stand now.
>On Woodcraft's website now they indicate they are no longer stocking the non-DVR 3000 either. The DVR is still listed for the same (i think) price, though.