So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Barry Turner

>I looked at lots of Oneways and Powermatics when I was lathe shopping. When I got down to the nitty gritty.........I bought a Stubby 750 and am very happy with my choice. Why? Too many concerns over PM's quality control issues. Oneway? Oneway 2436 is essentially a spindle lathe that happens to be large enough to turn bowls on. I don't turn very many spindles. Stubby is essentially a bowl/hollow vessel lathe that you can also turn spindles on. Very versatile. I doubt quality control will ever be an issue with either Oneway or Stubby. You ought to make this decision based on the lathe's intended purpose. Hence, my choice of a Stubby 750.

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Russ Fairfield

>Your nearest dealer may be Woodcrafters in Portland, OR. (Do not confuse with Woodcraft, the national company) They usually have several lathes on display and in stock. Give them a call at (503) 231-0226

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Round & Round

>Russ, thank you very much for this information. I'll check with them next week! ROAD-TRIP!

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Jimbo13

>Got my 2436 used - don't ask why it was for sale as there are only two reasons anyone parts with one of these and it wasn't the good one.

If I had to buy new, I'd be looking at the 2436 and the Stubby 750, as Barry mentioned. I would disagree with Barry that the 2436 is essentially a spindle lathe (that's like saying that a Hummer is essentially good for driving to and from the grocery store). The bearings, spindle, mass of the machine, etc. are all geared for turning big off balance chunks of wood.

Ok, as for why I like it:

- no part of the bed gets in the way when I turn

out board

- 36" between centers. While my interests are

in bowls, hollow forms and sculptural pieces,

I was able to take a commission turning some

35" spindles for a fireplace mantel.

- wheel kit makes it pretty easy to move, if

that is what is needed for your space. Came in

real handy in a household move and now while

I move things around the garage while it gets

converted to my shop.

- with the large outboard attachment you can go

to 44" diameter (although the Stuby 1000 gives

you that)

- available in different heights. If you can,

spend some time in front of one doing the type

of turning you plan to do the most of.

Personally, I like the spindle height to be a

little lower than typically suggested. Less

fatigue when turning for long sessions.

Many use a guideline that is more appropriate

for spindle turners than bowl turners.

- made in Canada - hey, I'm from there

- and best of all - I don't want to be refered to

by others as "the guy with the stubby" :-)

What I don't like:

- all those round surfaces make it difficult to

find a place where the remote on/off will

sit without easily being knocked on the floor.

- would be nice if the height was adjustable.

While a good height for bowl work, it would be

nice to raise it up about 4 inches for

hollowing and spindle work.

- the off white paint looks like crap after a

while, but hey, its a tool, not a car.

Hope the above helps.

Gidday,

Jim

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Barbara Gill, Remlik VA

>I looked at a Stubby and a Oneway. One of the deciding factors for me was that I never heard a Oneway owner altering the lathe so hollowing could be done. I joined the Stubby newsgroup and it seemed that over half of the posts were how to change the lathe. I stated this observation on another forum and was corrected by several Stubby owners. By the end of the thread there was a discussion on how to extend the bed to allow the use of a hollowing rig. :-)

I never had heard any complaints about the Oneway quality or service. I bought a 1640 and have been very happy. My Kelton hollowing rig fits on the long bed without any problems. I am 100% happy with my Oneway. Also, the customer service is awesome.

Also...

Barbara Gill, Remlik VA

>With the outboard turning extension and tailstock riser you have everything. Outboard turning is like a bowl lathe. I found out a long time ago that as soon as I say I won't need something (i.e. a long bed because I don't turn spindles) circumstances will change and I will need what I decided I would never need. That is how I got into turning in the first place.

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

William-Pa.

>Don't have my 2436 yet, :( but waiting impatiently. Oops, that "im" somehow got in front of the patiently.

I had an opportunity to test drive one, this is some of my observations

It was very quiet. Motor purred like a kitten

Powerful. We put up a big, bulky blank and it handled it like a champ. I would be willing to bet that we could've put a nickle on edge and it woudln't have budged. Coring? at 3h.p., the coring knives went through that blank like it was butter.

Fit and finish.

The controller arm. Some see it as a no issue, but I kinda liked having the controller near me for any type of start or stop or speed adjustments.

17" Outboard extension, you then have the best of everything. Great for hollowing or bowl work.

Customer Service and Oneway reputation.

The cons: All their products are on the pricey side. However, that said, you also get high quality products that will last your lifetime and probably more.

Tell you the truth, it sounds like you already know in your heart that you want a Oneway. Settle the angst once and for all and do what I did.

Go get one :)

William

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Brian McKearney

>I've been following this and the other post and lots of great points were raised. I purchased a Oneway 1640 last year and couldn't be happier with my purchase. In that price range, I could have easily gotten a larger capacity lathe from Powermatic. However, I don't think that Oneway and Powermatic are quite in the same league - yes they both sell lathes that can spin similarly sized pieces of wood, but I believe that the overall quality of the Oneway far exceeds that of the Powermatic. I have nothing against Powermatic and honestly I was pretty well set on purchasing one until I attended a woodturning symposium in May 2003 and saw my first Oneway in person. At the time, I owned a Delta 12" and I was blown away at the quality and stability of the Oneway 2436 that I saw. When my 1640 arrived, I'd have to say that it exceeded my expectations - everything on it is top-notch - something that I cannot say about any other tool that I've ever purchased, and I don't typically buy junk. It's just that when you buy a Oneway (and I'd guess that this is true about Stubby and a few others too) you're buying the best.

Another thing that factored into my decision was Oneway's customer service reputation - it's first class. I did contact them prior to making my purchase with a couple of questions and they were very helpful and had a quick turnaround. Having purchased a Oneway product, I feel comfortable that if anything goes wrong, then they're there to help me out and make it right.

One last thing to consider about your purchase is this: If you buy a Powermatic now, will you always be asking yourself if you should have gotten the Oneway and would you be waiting for the day when you can make yet another upgrade? Since I got the Oneway, I'm comfortable knowing that I don't have to worry about these questions and second guessing myself forever.

Enjoy the purchase process and have fun looking around at all the fine lathes on the market!

--- Brian

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Barry Turner

>It took me a long, long time to decide between the Oneway 2436 and the Stubby 750. I finally decided that purchases of the like should be made while considering the equipment under consideration to be "tools". "Tools" ought to be purchased with the job-at-hand in mind. That's what I did. I'm not saying Oneway is a "bad" lathe, for it most certainly is not. A Stubby just fit my current needs a lot better.

By the way, A Hummer is not all that great as a "tool" for trips to the grocery. Won't fit in the parking spaces, guzzles gasoline, takes up too much room in the garage, attracts too much attention from car thieves, etc.

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

JamieDonaldson

>Comparing Oneway to Powermatic is apples to oranges and more because of the cost differential. The Oneway is twice the price of the Powermatic, and adding the Oneway outboard turning parts is another $2500.

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Round & Round

>While I appreciate you taking the time you comment, this post was not a comparison post, or a which lathe is better, or even why I bought a Stubby. I simply wanted to hear from Oneway owners, as to WHY they bought their lathes and to the many of them that have responded, I give you a hearty Thank You! I have decided that the Oneway should suit me just fine and not have me wondering if I should have got something else down the road. I look forward to finding a nearby dealer and seeing one firsthand.

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Barbara Gill, Remlik VA

>For the 1640 the cost of the 24" extension plus the riser block comes to right about $500.

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Jimbo13

>Barry,

Wasn't thinking that you were saying the Oneway was a "bad" lathe, I was just disagreeing with the comment that it is essentially a spindle lathe, although it may look like one from a distance.

Gidday,

Jim

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Duane C.Leach

>I am very comfortable with my lathe too Brian. I just love how it feels to turn on a quality piece of equipment.

Over the past several years I have taken every opportunity to turn on different laths. I took the time to look for the pros and cons of each. I forced my self to look only at the good or bad qualities...Not the brand. What features and what type lathe would fit my style of turning best? A bowl lathe or a spindle lathe. A short bed or a long bed and on and on.

I took the plunge and ordered my new lathe.It seemed like it took for ever to get here. I have turned on it almost every day for the past two years and I just love it. It's kind of like the feeling you got when you were 16 and got your first car. WOW what a ride.

Like many of you folks, I am very proud very comfortable with my big lathe.We seem to fit each other. And I can not think of any reason why I might replace it or UPGRADE as they say.

Ain't turning fun when you have great big lathe to turn on.

Duane

Oh! Did I tell you folks my lathe is a Powermatic 4224.

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Barry Turner

>Well, even if it's only a spindle lathe, it could sure turn some humongous spindles, couldn't it. With a 24" swing, it can turn just about anything within reason. I liked some of the other features of the Stubby, like the sliding, pivoting bed, the auxiliary bed, the small footprint, being able to turn from the end of the lathe, (saftey and comfort factor). Oneway is also a great lathe. Probably looks nicer than a Stubby. Like I said, it was a tough choice between the two.

Re: So, why did YOU buy a Oneway Lathe?

Jimbo13

>Barry,

If I was buying new (got my 2436 used and for a reasonable price) it would be a hell of a difficult decision and would probably lean more towards the Stubby for the type of turning I do for many of the reasons you mention. I really like the fact that there is a vacuum port built in along with the way you can manipulate the bed.

On the good side, given that I have the 2436, there is nothing that I've asked it to do that it hasn't handled. Being able to shorten up the bed (ala Stubby) would eliminate the need to move the piece from the inboard side to the outboard side for more comfortable hollowing. Would also elimate the need to keep the floor space on the outboard side clear.

As for big spindles, I've been working on an idea for a sculptural piece for the last year or so (a move from NJ back to TX in has slowed things a lot) that will be, in essence, like turning a large spindle. A couple more months and the shop will be set up and I'll let ya know how it went.

Gidday,

Jim