Est. 1998 — 28 years of woodworking knowledge
US made lathes?
Joe Herrmann
>Other than the Nichols lathe, are there any lathes that are made in the USA? At one time I know the Powermatic was made here because I toured their plant in McMinnville, TN, but I'm not sure if they still are. Does anyone know which ones, if any, are?
Joe
Conover is US made
Bob Hackett
>
Re: US made lathes?
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>Vega
www.vergwoodworking.com
Mark
Re: US made lathes?
Fog Tanner
>Two years ago when I bought my Delta 16" steel bed lathe, they were still made in the US. I am not sure about their smaller lathe. The Powermatic is now proudly made in Occupied China. If you are looking for a higher quality production line lathe, you are going to have to go to Australia (Vicmarc, Woodfast), Canada (General, Oneway), or the UK (VB36).
I just received a Vicmarc 23 1/2" 300VL, which now makes my 16" Delta my mini lathe. While the Vic is a production line machine, by their standards, it is a handfitted machine - which here we only find in custom built lathes. The Delta is a good machine for what it is, but it is still a "mass production" line item. Sadly the only comparison is they are both wood lathes with a 1 1/4"x8 shaft capable of turning spindles and bowls made by people speaking some form of English. Other than that, there is no comparison.
Re: Conover is No More
David Linnabary
>Sad to say they are no longer being maufactured.
David
I wish......
TDaniel
>Joe, if the dollar stays as low as it now is, you will see American made lathes again. There will be major price increases again on lathes made in England and Australia, probably by fall if not before. I see no reason for Delta not taking the lead and designing and building a good American quality lathe....they can do it if they will. When Powermatic (US) decided to build a lathe they went to master turners like rude Olsonik and found out what was needed and wanted. Delta should do the same now while the window of opportunity is open. I doubt the dollar is going to improve while a war is waging so while the dollar is weak would be the best time for them to do something. Their last attempt fell short because they tried to compete with Far East imports instead of building something to compete with quality imports of England and Australia and Canada. Maybe if we would send a message they would hear us now.....?
TD
Re: US made lathes?
Fred Holder
>I believe that the Serious Lathe Company is still making lathes and tools. Their contact information is:
Address: 1618 NE First Ave Portland OR 97232
Tel: 1-800-211-1484 (503) 287-7281
Fax: (503) 287-7483
E-mail: Bernie@VersaSteel.com
I found their web site by simply searching on "Serious Lathe Company".
Re: Seriously
Mark Mandell - Gone Round In Jersey
>Fred,
While Mr. Mares'(sp) company is US and his tools are made here, I was informed by him (when I tried to buy one after he had stopped taking orders last year) that his lathes are all Asian-built.
However, perhaps with dollar weakness, that has changed.
Mark
I dunno
John Crissman
>TD,
Don't expect many new products, lathe or otherwise to come from Delta this year. They are in the process of closing their Tupelo plant to move it into another location. But more importantly, their parent company, Pentair, has had them and all of their other tool brands (Porter-Cable, Hickory, DeVillbiss) on the block since Feb.
If you think it can be done profitably, it may be up to you. I keep waiting for someone to referb all of the old lathes I see online with new VS motors, risers for the headstock, etc.
There you go guys. Run with it.
Re: Conover WERE USA made...
Peter Teubel
>
Re: US made lathes?
Charlie Romano
>I went through this process about two years ago and the only US production made lathe of any size that I found was the Delta 1642. It also had Baldor components.
One of the suprising things I did find (at least to me) was that the Vicmarc VL300 "was cast in Thailand and machined in Australia". This was told to me by the factory. I'm certainly not implying anything here - they have an excellent reputation - I own a VL100.
Charlie Romano
Re: Seriously
Guy
>How about Nichol's lathes? When I was hunting back in December I emailed them and they were still making their custom lathes, not cheap but then their quality is supposed to be without question. Just my .02 Guy
Dollar isn't weak against .....
TDaniel
>all currencies. I think the Taiwan currency may be tied to the dollar? The dollar is especially weak against the Australian currency and almost as weak against the British pound and European money. Also, keep in mind that the international shipping companies want paid in the highest value currency so if the dollar is weak it takes more dollars to get the goods here. Shipping lanes from Taiwan are far cheaper than shipping from Australia which compounds the problem further. No company can compete with China except in quality, but how many of us are willing to pay for higher quality?
TD
Re: US made lathes?
Jack (Turtle Workshop)
>Since I live about 5 hours south of Portland I decided to visit the Serious Lathe Company.
To put it in plain language, "This is lathe hawg heaven." I mean it. The highest quality in every aspect. The guy who runs the place is a brilliant engineer and is into some very serious vacuum stuff too.
The tools have my drool dribblings all over them.
If you have to ask the cost then don't go there. I can't buy since I'm still working on my first million...
Jack
Re: US made lathes?
Jack (Turtle Workshop)
>Hi Again,
Bad news. I just talked to Bernie up at Serious Lathe and the firm is up for sale. God, how I wish I had the green to buy the place. I consider Serious Lathe to be an institution. Not just another business for making bucks.
How about one of you rich guys out there buying the place and letting in continue as is -- a well run, high quality, concern?
Oh well, if wishes were horses we'd all ride.
Jack
Wake up, Guys.....
Jesper, Sandved, Denmark
>We are living in a globalized World economy. Companies are in business to make money and will produce where it makes the most economic sense. For a relatively small scale production like wood lathes, this is not going to be in the USA or in the EU.
Even if it were, the majority of the components will be from Worldwide sourcing.
The quest should really be that the Brand owner be responsible to their consumers and insist on quality and performance at a reasoanble price.
Re: US made lathes?
RevDoug
>The machine you pull together yourself will most definetly be US made as long as you live in the US.
Turn 'em round,
RevDoug
