>I'm in the market for a new, large lathe. I think I've read every bit of information available for just about every lathe currently made. My main choices are the Oneway 2436, Powermatic 4224 and Serious Lathe 2536. The Oneway sems just a touch over rated, and I have to wonder abut the real build quality of the new Powermatics. The Serious lathe looks like a very heavy duty machine, weighing in at 1200 pounds with the largest spindle shaft of all but the VB (it uses the same headstock, spindle and drive as their dedicated 44 inch bowl turning lathe). 3 HP motor is standard, and it's a grand less than the Oneway. Problem is, I can't find much mre info about the lathe or company history, durability, etc... Is there anyone that owns one, or has used one before? Any input or personal opinons on the Oneway or big Powermatic would be appreciated as well.
I've been turning on an old Powermatic model 45 that I picked up 10 years ago for $300. It just isn't cuttin the mustard anymore, and it's time to move on.
>Can't comment on the Serious Lathe and have only seen demonstrations on the Vic but I've turned on the oneway and the Powermatic. I would go for the Oneway. It is very efficient and the company stands behind everything. You might want to take a look at the Stubby lathe as well. I would put it in this category.
The Serious Lathe company was being sold over a year ago. Nice lathe, but you don't want to get a lathe that has dubious support.
I have a Oneway 2436 plus attachments. I very much like the lathe.
The fun part is, all of the top end lathes are terrific lathes which will last you a lifetime. You can't make a bad choice. Turning on a Oneway, Powermatic, Vicmarc, Stuby, VB or Nichols will be a pleasure that will give you no regrets.
I went through the choice a couple of years ago. My choice narrowed down to Serious Lathe and Oneway. At that time Bennie (owner of Serious Lathe) was still taking orders for lathes. I decided on the Oneway. If Bernie had a bed extension for the bowl lathe I likely would have selected it. I didn't bother to ask Bernie if I could get a bed extension or I might be turning on a Serious Lathe today.
I wanted a lathe with few limits. 48" outboard and 8'+ between centers eliminated the limits. I had worked with a lathe that had a contraption for outboard turning. I knew the Oneway solution was rock solid for outboard work.
There are very likely woodturners within 100 miles of you that have every high end lathe made. You should plan a field trip to try them all out. You aren't going to know which is the best lathe for you from a few hours of turning. But you might eliminate a few because they don't work with your style of turning. You will also get a chance to talk to some turners who have lived with these lathes. That might help you feel more comfortable with your decision.
If you aren't sure where to start talk to the president of the nearer clubs to see if her (or she) can help set-up some lathe time.
>Serious is no more (at least for machines), John Nichols went bankrupt, and Poolewood has gone out of business. The Stubby is now being imported (I have a 1000) by Bill Rubenstein in St. Louis (see link). If you'd like a test drive on a Stubby, e-mail (drop the 2) your location and information, and I will pass it along to the Stubby User's Group.
A serious lathe you should consider is the WOODTEK� NO. 1 WOOD LATHE. A Friend of mine help design this lathe and he could tell you more about this lathe and why it�s the best lathe on the market. Its way out of my price range and skills level. Take a look at the specs. I do know the high points he always mentions are the Meehanite� GC-40 cast iron beds, 16" long x 2-1/2" dia. spindle shaft, Surface-hardened tool rests, state-of-the-art pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller. I�ve seen this lathe demo and it is very impressive, very quite, quite massive and heavy. If price were not an issue this would be a lathe to consider.
>the Woodtek lathe has been dropped from the line. I had read on this board that it was going to happen, and then my catalog came in. Sure enough, no lathes on those final pages. I was sure disappointed. I had thought for some time about making a special order on one (I didn't want the long side, only the big swing/short bed and motor). Too bad it had to go. Never did hear why it went away.
My friend told me that Delta bought the No.1 lathe from Woodtek. You should see this same lathe with the Delta colors. I always hated the green and yellow. My friend told me that delta has been looking for quite awhile for a HD lathe to add to there line and it looks like they have it now. I have seen people mention at this web site that they have seen the No.1 lathe at shows with the Delta colors. My friend told me Delta took the No.1 and painted it and took it on the road, it was still green and yellow underneath.
>I called Woodworker Supply (Woodtec) to see if they were discontinuing the No.1 lathe and if so what the new discontinued price might be, and they are not discontinued. I was told its been 5 years in design and there is no plan to stop selling the No.1 and they sell 12 to 15 a year, not may at that price. There web site and new catalog still list the lathe. I looked at the Delta web site and no new lathe. I don�t know anything about this Black & Decker thing. Who knows?
>Don't know what color it may end up and really don't care. I know where to buy a can of spray paint. Maybe now that Delta/B&D owns it, a bowl turner can get it in the configuration we want without having to pay the price for the right side with the smaller swing.
I for one am looking forward to seeing it on the open market again and what B&D do with both configuration and price.
Thanks for your post. I followed your lead and went to the catalog. Went straight to the inside of the back cover (the usual place for the No. 1) and sure enough, no lathe there. So I did the not so male thing, I looked in the index (we don't need no stinking index). Holy cow! There is the Woodtek lathe No. 1, rught there on page 204.
I still think it's a bit over priced in order to get the larger swing. If what we are hearing and reading is ture, that Delta/B&D have purchaced the rights to this machine, maybe they can bring the cost down.
>At the Orlando symposium I seem to remember a lathe in the Delta booth that looked like a carbon copy of Woodtec NO 1 lathe. Only with Delta paint on it .
You might call some of the folks at Delta, see if it's real or not.
>Thanks for all of the input! I forgot all about the Woodtec lathe. If it had a 24 inch inboard capacity, I would seriously consider ordering one ASAP! I don't like the fact that you need to buy the whole set up to get big bowl capacity. I am going to give them a call to find out about other options. I want to end up with at least 24" capacity, and don't want to go too far over the $4000 mark. I also want this to be a purchase that will keep me happy for many years (the wife says this one better last a looooonnnnggg time). I'm in the Bloomington, Indiana area. If there are any large lathe owners (any brand) out there, that would be so kind to let me have a quick once over, I would really appreciate it; Please send me a message if you're near by (100 miles +-).
>OK... after I posted my last message I went back to the Poolewood site to look at an outboard turning rest and there are no Poolewood lathes on the website!
I almost ordered an outboard rest through Ellsworth before I started nursing school last year, but I decided to wait until I finished this spring. Did I wait too long? The catalog I just recieved has the full line of Poolewood lathes.
>Looks like you did, indeed, out-last the company. David said (mid-November) he's getting no more, and I believe he explained that they are all done without going into specifics. I remember considering asking him if the plans & patents were being sold, but decided not to. Since you bought your machine from him, I'd suggest you contact him direct as to status.
That was my Second Choice lathe (after my Stubby, of course |;-}} ).
Our President Deryl Duer had a Powermatic 2442 for sale. He may still have it. If you are interested He's in the AAW directory in Tenn. He lives just south of Nashville. Not a bad Drive from Indiana. I have relatives up there. You might be able to convince me to drive it up. If you can't find him e-mail me and I'll give you his number.
>Sam- put yourself out of lathe misery and buy the Stubby! I have turned on most every machine made and love my "Studly," and the importer is in St.Louis. If you are passing thru the central KY area anytime soon stop and I will introduce you to a brute of a machine with a sweet disposition.
>Thanks Jamie, I was just down that way (close, anyway) last week. It's hard to say with my schedule, but I'll take you up on it next time I'm headed that way!
