>I am now finally about to purchase my "last" lathe and have decided on the above two lathes. Main interests are spindle turning, hollow forms and bowls. I am strongly leaning to the 1640 with the 2HP motor which presents ~$2000 savings over the 2036 with the same motor which will pay for all the toys I want/need to purchase with the lathe.
I am not hung up on 16" vs 20" swing I think 16" will cover much or all of what I will do and one can add the outboard attachment.
My question is is the 2036 really worth the difference and if so why. Thanks for reading and I appreciate any feedback you may have.
But for another couple hundred you are looking at the 2436, and an 8" difference. THAT is worth the extra money.
I will guarantee that, should you stay active in woodturning, you will one day find yourself wishing that you had that extra 8" swing. Why not get it now?
If you like to start bowls from rough wood between centers or use a tail-center to add support while turning a bowl, the 16" lathe will forever restrict you to making bowls that are 12" diameter. There is an attachment that will allow you to use the tail-stock on the outboard short-bed, but that will never be the same as having the 24" swing over the entire length of the lathe.
Should you ever want to turn tall forms that require using a steady rest, you will find that the rest will use up more of that 16" than you are willing to sacrifice. Losing 6" to 8" of swing to the rest is a lot on a 16" lathe, but not nearly as much on the 24" lathe.
>I agree with Russ. I have a Vic 200 with 16" and a Oneway 2436 and I know the 24" is better and worth the money. I also have the large outboard on the 24 and use it much ot the time. I rgh. inboard and move to outboard for the finish for most bowl work. I keep the Vic jaw chuck outboard and have a handwheel chucked up when I work inboard.
Yes, if you get the 2436 it may be your last lathe you need to have.
>I totally agree with Russ,I've had a few lathes over the years, my last one is a 24/36,you will not regret the oversizing like you might the undersize.Read his post carefully.....take care and have fun......
I'm missing something. Why would starting with rough wood or using the tailstock limit you to a 12 inch bowl on a lathe with a 16 inch swing? Is there something about the geometry I am missing? I routinely start with rough wood and use my tailstock on my Jet mini can can get 9 inch bowls out of a 10 inch swing. Admittedly, I've not seen a 1640 in person, so I may be missing something really obvious here?
>Yes, you can turn the maximum sized wood that the lathe will swing; but with the larger lathe and larger pieces of wood, there will be a lot of times when you would like to get the tool rest under the work to reduce the tool overhang, and that takes up 2" over the bed, or 4" off the diameter.
>Raffan says that 85% of the bowls he has turned are 12" or less. If you feel that will work for you then go for it. If you're not sure, then go foe the 2436 and not the 2036 [unless you can get a used one at a good price]. If you really want all your options covered, get a Vicmarc VL300 with 3hp. You'll save money compared to the 2436 and and you can outbord turn from the center to the floor and the outboard tool rest is cheaper than the Oneway system.
>Dave - I went through this mental anguish about 18 months ago and ended up buying the 2436. My justification - I figured the next ten years are going to be the best remaining and why not have the best. As someone stated earlier, your widow or kids can recoup the money in the end anyway. I figured if I was going to spend $5K, why not spend $8K. Haven't been unhappy yet. I also agree with the earlier comment about the 20" vs 24".
>You can turn from the Center to the floor (or more if you dig a trench) on a Oneway 2436 or 2036. All you need to do is use the Powermatic outboard tool stand (fairly cheep item). I looked at getting a Vicmark 300 and eventually decided on a fully loaded Oneway 2436 as their wasn't much difference in the price to my house (the Vickmark shipping was substantially higher).
>Dave, I went with a 3hp Oneway 2436, with the 17" multi-extension and an extra banjo. I usually have the multi-extension mounted on the outboard side but can fairly easily mount it on the inboard side for longer spindles. For bowls, I rough them inboard (where the tailstock comes in handy) and then finish them outboard. It's nice not having to take on and off the heavy Oneway tailstock. If I ever need to turn something really large outboard I plan on getting the Powermatic outboard banjo.
>I am by no means an expert however, I have a little bit of insight on the PM4224. I had a grizzly Lathe for about 2 weeks before deciding 1)I was hooked on turning and, 2)I was tired of chasing my lathe around the garage.
So...I started looking at the big stuff with the idea that I would rather buy 1 lathe that will last a lifetime instead of going through several smaller lathes on my way to the one I really wanted.
From my very junior point of view more is definitely better;more horsepower but especially more weight. Even if you never turn anything larger than 12" the added weight smoothes out vibrations which makes it much easier to get a clean cut. At least that is how it has worked out for me.
So I went with the PM4224 because it has a 3HP motor and weighs a wopping 1000lbs. It also seems to cost significantly less than the 24" Oneway (about $3600).
>Mike, I read Russ's response before I read your question. Don't ask, I'm dyslexic, I guess, but the logic he uses is flawless. If someone is buying his / her last lathe, they should definitely go for the whole banana, because a person will almost always question the decision, and most often regret it if they don't get the largest and best one out there. (I personally don't believe the Oneway IS the best one out there, but don't want to start a flame war). This is especially true when the cost differential is so small, in relative terms. All too often folks make that decision before having enough experience to really know what they are GOING to want, instead of what they want right now. Many is the turner I have heard just this type of sentiment from, and I can't think of one that didn't regret compromising as a result of cost. If you're good enough to justify a large lathe, you will be able to sell enough to pay the difference.
>Russ, I don't routinely turn outboard, but when I do, I find no problem. I just reverse direction, and turn away. I initially wanted the outboard setup since I felt it would afford the same access to hollow vessels and bowls that a VB does, but in practice, I find the short bed more comfortable, because I can lean against the end of the bed, providing a stable stance.
Bill, not to argue, but the thread pattern on the spindle is the same, so I don't need any different adaptors, the chuck stays tight on the spindle, so there's little difference actually.
I just wanted to sat thanks for all the responses to my message they were both interesting and thought provoking hopefully soon I can contribute in such a way to this forum which in my opinion along with the hand tool forum is the best on the web!
Oh, by the way I placed an order for a 2436 on the weekend so I was listening!
