PM3520A Help Please

Re: PM3520A Help Please

Jerry Whitaker

>Jerry, I recently bought one and I think for the money, there is none better. While the OneWay is said to be the best, I cannot see twice the money for a couple of minor details. This is the last lathe I ever intend to buy. The short tool rest is a good investment and the remote switch would be nice. However, the switch is never too far from the work unless you have the bed extension which will put you further from it if you are doing long spindles. The locking levers are excellent and effective. The headstock, tailstock and banjo all move smoothly and effortlessly along the bed. Also, the newer ones, mine included have a hole through the tailstock and inch markings on the quill. I do not know about Jet service yet and hope I never have to find out but they are selling these things like hotcakes, probably more than any other lathe on the market, so I have no doubt they will be there for you if you ever need service. And that yellow color that some scream about....it is not that bad. In fact I like it much better than the white on the OneWay. Buy it, have fun and never look back. Jerry

Re: PM3520A Help Please

Gary Bills in NC

>I bought a PM3520 last year and I am a beginer also. It was the best thing I could have done!!!! I highly recomend you buy it. I also would recomend the remote switch. There is often a large dangerously spinning piece of wood between you and the regular switch and the remote would be much safer than reaching past/through that hazard.

Re: PM3520A Help Please *LINK*

John Lucas

>Jerry

I just bought one in December after owning 5 other lathes and turning on most of the lathes on the market. I think it is the best value for the money. If your seriously interested in woodturning you should buy the best you can afford. You won't regret it. I say this because I have gone through 2 table saws, 3 bandsaws and 5 lathes. Each time I bought the best I could afford. Each time I upgraded I was amazed at how much more effecient the machine worked.

I have not had a single problem with my tool rest slipping. I liked the banjo that came on the first model of the lathe much better but it must have been too expensive. They changed to the 2 lever design. Most of the time I don't need both levers tight to work and often remove one lever to give my tools better access to the work. I view this as a plus because I find the locking lever often gets in the way on the any lathe. Being able to move it is handy.

I recommend the remote switch. For most turning it just sits there but when turning with the headstock slid toward the end for hollowing the remote switch is really handy and much safer.

I turn a lot of different size work so the short tool rest was a necessity. for other tool rest look at Best Wood tools.


http://www.bestwoodtools.com

PM3520A don't do it

Richard Allen

>Hi Jerry

I vote no. As though my vote counted for anything.

Get a jet mini and use that for a couple of months. It is a good lathe and you won't have to ask if you should get the PM in two months.

You will also have a lathe you can take outside or on vacation in the jet mini. There are times when ANY lathe might go out of service for repair. Having a jet mini as a "backup" will keep the pain of losing your main lathe for a few days or weeks away.

There is the possibility that you will not take to woodturning, though I can't imagine why that would ever happen. It is easy to sell the Jet mini for a $100 loss and hard to sell the PM for a $500 loss.

Good luck

Richard

Re: PM3520A Help Please

Dick Hines

>Save the money and don't buy the remote switch. Do like I did, when I insatalled the power plug on my 3520 I put it at the tail stock end of the lathe. If things go bad I can just pull the plug.

Re: PM3520A don't do it

Mike Schwing from Md

>As this comes from the man who counseled me to get a 3520 to replace my problematic Delta 1440, I'd take his advice! Was one of the best things I've done in a long time.

Re: PM3520A don't do it

John Lucas

>I bought my Nova Comet when my old lathe power supply died. I still have it and use it all the time. I don't think you can go wrong with a Jet mini either. If you buy the bed extension it will let you do chair legs and table legs as well as turn small bowls and other stuff. The jet runs really smooth. It's a good way to get a taste and it's way way way better than the Harbour Freight lathes that sell for this price.

PM3520A all the way!

Phil Murray

>Why make an intermediate purchase if you know that the PM is in your price range and will do the job for you? I love everything about mine and doubt I'll ever regret anything about my decision.

If you wanted a backpacking lathe then this is not for you, but it's the best for the money (less than $2200 in my case).

Go for it!

PM3520A glad i did

John Cahall

>My first lathe did great for 7 months and then I used a friends 3520. Bought the 3520 in June. If SWMBO is ok with it and you can afford it get a 3520. I also just bought a Jet Mini for demos etc, but don't ever see a need for a replacement for the 3520. I made an adapter for the spindle lock that I will be glad to send you when you get your lathe. You will enjoy it.

Re: PM3520A glad i did

David Galloway

>If you are interested, see my response on AAW.

David Galloway

Re: PM3520A Help: THANKS!

Jerry Hall

>Great responses. I appreciate the detailed and considerate messages and encouragement to move ahead.

I am off tomorrow morning to have some hands on time on a 3520 at a local turner's shop. I then expect to move ahead. Pretty exciting!

The 3520 I will be seeing is five years old, and predates the Jet acquisition of Powermatic, but I assume the machine is much the same. I have been told that the Jet version has a somewhat wider set of legs, different motor, dual levers for locking the banjo, hollow tail shaft, 1" dia post, and?

Thanks again for the help.

Jerry Hall