Nova 3000 question

Re: Nova 3000 question

Ric Erkes

>how much of a pita is it to change speeds...

Don't really know, I put the belt in the middle and can't remember the last time I moved it. I don't do very much spindle work, so I don't need the high end speeds. The variable speed control takes it from zero to as fast as I need to turn a bowl in the middle range. Actually, it is not that big a deal if you want to move it.

Overall, I've been pleased with the lathe for the past 5 years, but am ready for an ungrade.

Ric

Re: Nova 3000 question

Thomas Saunders

>Hi Ric,

Thanks for your response. Have you had any major problems with the lathe in the five years you've used it? Are you going bigger, stronger, or just time for a change?

I am mainly turning miniature stuff at the moment but the business is evolving so fast that I don't know what is around the corner and I would like to be prepared.

I am a twenty hr round trip from my "local" supplier so it is hard to get a hands on look at one.

Thanks again for your reply,

Tom in Red Deer

Re: Nova 3000 question

Darryl Hansen

>It really is not too much a prlblem once you get the hang of it. Undo a "T" handle pull it up open the door put the belt on the front pulley and then the back pulley and push the "T" handle back down. On a cold day with golves maybe 20 seconds. I have had the 3000 for about three years. The shaft on the Leason motor broke within the first month. Craft Supplies replaced it immediately. No other problem with the machinery. I bought the NOVA stand, put a shelf between the legs and filled it with sand bags. Other than that the stock lathe has been great. . . stupid catches and all. I have turned a 60' hunk as well as "see through" goblets and pens. I'd definately buy it again.

Re: Nova 3000 question

Bob Levine

>Tom,

I have owned my Nova 3000 since 12/00. I would agree with Darryl on the belt changing. I have the DC variable speed motor/control, my belt changing is limited. I continue to grow into the lathe and would recommend it given the lathe you currently use. What I have found to be problems are all minor items; the tailstock tightening knob vibrating loose (regularly), tool rest gets grooved easily by square edge tools, poorly mating bed extensions. If you buy the metal stand fine. If you build a stand maybe you will avoid the two mistakes I made; situating the lathe too far from the front so you can't use the outrigger and not raising the lathe off the stand to easily clean under it (minor). The price has come down since I bought mine so now it is a better value.

Bob

Re: Nova 3000 question

Scott Hogsten

>I've had mine for a little over 4 years with the DC variable speed. It has been a very dependable lathe. I had a minor problem with the tail stock out of the box that Woodcraft replaced immediately but that's it. I have really used this lathe as well and it has taken everything I have thrown at it. Belt changing is very easy, loosen a t-handle, reposition the belt, and back to turning. Its probably not the lathe I would choose today (I would go for more capacity and greater HP) but it is a fine lathe for the price.

Scott Hogsten

Re: Nova 3000 question

Joel Hunnicutt

>I think in it's price range, it is the best option out there. I've owned mine for 4 years and have never had a minutes' problem and have probably turned 600 pieces on it. I, like Ric am thinking of upgrading, but I will never have anything bad to say about my Nova.

Re: Nova 3000 question

Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia

>I have been very happy with my Nova 3000. Belt changing is no problem. I usually leave it in the same spot unless I am turning a real big chunk of wood and want to slow down a lot. I am happy with my decision to make a Nova 3000 my first lathe. Now I am upgrading to a Oneway.

BTW I have my outfit, lathe plus a lot of equipment to go with it, for sale in the classifieds. If you want to ask me any quiestions, give me a shout.

Barbara

Re: Nova 3000 question *LINK*

Larry

>check with the Nova Owner's Group on MSN: http://groups.msn.com/NovaOwners/general.msnw?action=get_threads

There are many Nova 3k users there.

Larry


//http://groups.msn.com/NovaOwners/general.msnw?action=get_threads

Re: Nova 3000 question

GeorgeBalock

>Tom,

I am also a happy Nova 3k owner. I would reccomend the DC Variable speed if you can afford it. I recently turned a Red mallee burl cap bowl and I was able to adjust the speed so that the vibration was minimal. On out of balance pieces it is the stuff! Good luck, and I would take a look at Barbara's lathe if she is willing to ship it.

George

Re: Nova 3000 question

Peter Teubel

>Well, let me put it in perspective for you. My friend has a Nova with a 1.5hp VS DC motor. He can stop the lathe, change the belt and be back up to speed faster than I can simply change from 500 to 3000 on the DVR. I use my DVR for everything except things that require alot of speed changes (i.e. pens, ornaments, small stuff).

Changing the belt on the Nova is a little more involved than on a Jet mini. I have one of those too and I simply peel the belt from sheeve to sheeve as needed (no need to loosen the motor mount). Can't do that on the Nova...

On the other hand, once you experience electronic variable speed, there's no going back.

Re: Thank you all very much

Thomas Saunders

>For being honest about your likes and dislikes. It sounds like it could be the way to go. As I mentioned in another post, at this point I mainly do miniature stuff, 1 1/2 in diameter or less, much less!

My business is changing every day and who knows what tomorrow will bring. I do want to do more segmented bowls and such, but not a lot.

I rarely use the tailstock so that would not be an issue. I would not need the bed extension or the outrigger so that solves that problem.

What I really want is a quality machine. I have a tad over 600 hrs on my Jet and it is falling apart. I refuse to buy another Jet product. My Oneway Talon chucks are dissapointing for what they cost here in Canada. I will not give them any more of my money either. I will import from England instead. A Nova 3000 with variable speed would cost me 2000.00 here. I really do not mind spending the money if the quality is there. I guess I have just bought too much "top of the line" stuff and found the quality lacking.

Thank you all again for your comments. Looks like I need to do some more thinin.

Tom in Red Deer

Re: Nova 3000 question

Jim Moore, Tremont, IL

>Tom, I have a new DVR. I really like the new speed range of 200 RPM to 3500 RPM. The motor runs very smooth. I should sy I am new to turning and this lathe should do everything I will ever need a lathe to do. I bought an extension and the metal stand. As far as computers go, It did seem a bit wierd to put a surge protector in my shop for the lathe. And I make sure it is unplugged when not being used. Too me, it is not really not a big deal to increase/decrease speed. Rather than let it run and change in 5 RPM differences, I shut it off and then change speeds. This is faster.

Re: Nova 3000 question

Guy

>I've had 2 Nova 3000s. The first one had a bearing problem and Woodcraft replaced it without any hassles. I haven't had any problems with the second one at all. I initially bought it because of the quality and the possibility for expansion in the future. The manual speed change is pretty quick and no big deal. It has served me well without complaint. For Christmas my wife bought me a Vicmarc and it is absolutely massive so I am selling my Nova. I kind of hope nobody buys it so I can store it until we get our next house with a bigger play area!

Re: Nova 3000 question (long)

Larry

>I change belt position very frequently when working up green wood. For Example, I've been working the butt section of a black walnut tree. I usually end up turning a variety of sizes over the course of a day's turning, and I move the belt quite frequently, both to accomodate roughing and different diameters. I find it less of a chore to change belts than to swivel the head, and that's a snap. I've done one thing to make changing belt position vastly easier (that I'm sure will bring howls of objections from the "knowledgeable"). That was to remove the thin sheet steel red cover that regulates access to the belts. I found reaching in from the top to be a PITA. Reaching in from the side makes moving the belt a breeze. To address the objections that are sure to be made: 1. The cover provides NO structural integrity. 2. It DOES NOT keep chips from entering the chamber because there are no more without it than there are with it in place. 3. It is NO less safe for someone with a modicum of common sense. In fact, I use the hand wheel almost always slow or stop rotation. I would have to move to my left and deliberately reach far deeper than possible from a turning position in order to get my fingers caught, so even a careless person would probably be safe.

The 3K is (IMHO) vastly surperior to anything in that price range. I think that very few people NEED more (unless they are turning professionally, and I'm not even sure they would need it then).