Help me choose a new lathe

Re: Help me choose a new lathe

Dick Hines

>Can't go wrong with the PM 3520. I have one and it has done everything I ask. Big stuff to pens.

Re: Help me choose a new lathe

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Okay Mike, I won't tell you. However, if I can entice you up here, you might end up telling yourself. ;-) Seriously though, I would also suggest that you look at the Jet 16" or the Powermatic machines. If at all possible, test drive one (or even better, several) before plunking your money down.

I forget offhand where in Joisey you are, but in Southampton PA, Bucks Co, not too far from Dominic, is Woodworker's Haven, and they have several machines you could try out. They sell them as well, and are great guys to deal with.

Bill

Re: Help me choose a new lathe

Fog Tanner

>The steel bed 16" Delta is light years ahead of the Shopsmith and I like it better than the Jets. But, and there is always a but, I am very biased towards my new Vicmarc 300VL. Does pens to bowls, a Rolls Royce of lathes.

As with anything, you will get a hundred different answers telling you why the lathe they bought is the best. Like asking a Ford or Chevy guy which is the best - its the one they are driving or they wouldn't have it..same with wives ,dogs, and horses - prettiest, smartest, and fastest (you pick the order)...

If you can, look at each one, use it and talk to some professional turners who use these things on a daily basis to make a living. That was one of the reasons I leaned towards the Vic. Plus I didn't want a movable head lathe again, coring bowls can unlatch the mechanism and that is an interesting experience - but one that I really don't want to repeat.

Good luck on your quest.

Fog

Re: Help me choose a new lathe

jg

>What about the Nova 3000 DVR? Anyone using it?

Mikey, Mikey, Mikey!

Dominic Greco in sunny Richboro, PA

>Now you know what lathe I'm gonna suggest! :>)

The Jet JWL-1642 is a great lathe for the money. The 1 1/2 HP version is selling for about $1700.00 nowadays. Stop by and talk to Frank or John at Woodworker's Haven in Southampton PA and they'll give you the straight scoop.

But,.....if you have some more cash on hand, I suggest the PM3520. Mike Schwing (among MANY others here) can give you the low down on that lathe.

Rumor has it that there's this guy in Richboro who I hear owns one of these lathes. If you're willing to put up with his weird sense of humor, he may let you look at his lathe. :>)

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Mikey, Mikey, Mikey!

Michael Stadulis in New Jersey

>Yo Dom,

How ya doin' ? Do you have a PM these days?? Thought you were a Jet guy? Damn, you're going thru lathes like sandpaper.....

The PM seems like a nice deal and its 650 pounds too!!! WWW carries them in addition to Jet?

Mike

Re: Help me choose a new lathe *LINK*

Fred Holder

>I've had a Nova DVR 3000 lathe for two years now and am very pleased with its performance. I had to add an addition a bed extension to enable the use of a Jamieson Boring Bar System and of course to get more between centers space. The new cast iron legs look good, but mine performs very well on a bench made from 2x6's. The top of my bench is two 2x6's that are spaced apart in the middle to allow the chips to fall through rather than build up under the bed of the lathe.

I would strongly recommend a Nova DVR 3000 with an additional bed extension and with the cast iron legs. With that combination, you would have one fine lathe.


Fred Holder's Domain Site

Re: Help me choose a new lathe

Michael Stadulis in New Jersey

>Hi Bill,

I get to WWW every so often since it's fairly close to where I work. The thing that scares me is that just about any mediocre machine might seem much nicer than a SS ....so I'm concerned that I'd be impressed too easily. Does that make sense? I'd like to know about minor features too. From indexing heads etc..etc. to whatever else makes sense for the money. I guess that I need to get up your way soon. .

Mike in Gloucester County, South Joisey.....close to Fazzios, so eat your heart out in Lehigh County. Dom knows what I mean about Fazzios, and I know he's jealous that he's an hour plus away..... and I'm only 15 to 20 minutes.

I meant WWH...not WWW

Michael Stadulis in New Jersey

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Re: Mikey, Mikey, Mikey!

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Mike , I'd go for the big 20" General, variable speed. You can justify the price by telling yourself it's just a big spindle lathe.

You're a sick man Mike!

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>Posting about Fazzio's like that!

Dominic

I have the Jet 1642

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>Mike,

I've had the Jet JWL-1642 for the past couple years and really love using it. Remember the review I wrote on it? So far, this lathe has taken everything I could throw at it. I don't see myself upgrading any time soon. (Although if I hit the lottery, a Stubby Lathe would be nice!)

To my knowledge, Woodworker's Haven doesn't carry Powermatic lathes. Just the Jet and Delta lathes. From what I understand, there are a number of internet sources/mail order houses that sell the Powermatic for a bargain price. Ask around. I'm sure more the knowledgeable people here will weigh in.

See ya around,

Dominic

That's what I thought you had.....

Michael Stadulis in New Jersey

>....But you said that "someone near R'boro had one of these lathes" and I thought you meant the PM. I hear that your machine is outfitted w/ the PM leg set.

I'll have to stop in sometime. What's best for you?

Mike....who knew that the Fazzios comment was "playing dirty"....

Re: Help me choose a new lathe

Bill MacLachlan

>I have had the DVR for a few months and am very impressed. I especially like no belts and changing speed by pushing a button. Seems rugged and should help me grow a lot.

Bill

Re: Fazzio's secret

gtools

>If you guys keep mentioning Fazzio's the masses will converge and clean the place out...nuts and bolts room as big as a house 50cents/pound....boneyard shopping at its best...if you need it for your shop its prob in there somewhere....plan on spending the day if your a newbie.....leave the wife/kids home...gtools

Re: Help me choose a new lathe

Arch

>Hi Mike, I doubt that you can get definitive help in deciding on a one best upgrade. This endless and unanswerable debate has too many variables, strong opinions and good machines of differing designs, etc.to be resolved. Many of us 'outgrew' home-mades, shopsmiths. dunlaps, and AMTs, but look at the great work, even by today's standards, done on them. The Lindquists are an example.

The flip side to your query can't be answered either: does the lathe make the turner or does a great turner (or more likely writer) enhance a lathe's repute? Probably a wash since most of the current crop of great turners use the best and most expensive lathes.

However, I think questions about all things related to woodturning are good and ought to be asked again and again. Keeps us up to date plus a large part of the satisfaction of any hobby or endeavor is in gabbing about it. Not too sure about the rest of you, but after this long winded non-answer gab, I ought to have a lot of satisfaction. Arch

Thanks Arch....Mike

Michael Stadulis in New Jersey

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Re: Help me choose a new lathe

RonZ

>I own the VL300 and the VL100. Shipped straight from Australia it's the best bang for your buck. Got an excellent review from the most recent Woodturnere's magazine from the UK.