vega 2400 or powermatic 352

Differently capable lathes; what do you turn?

Jay in TX (formerly from Ohio)

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Re: vega 2400 or powermatic 352

Russ Fairfield

>Not the "better" choice, but a "different" choice, because you are looking at two different things.

The Powermatic 3520 is a 20" long-bed lathe that you can make into a 20" short-bed lathe by moving the headstock to the end of the bed.

The Vega is a 24" short-bed bowl lathe that is what it is, and there is no way that you can make it into anything else.

The choice depends on whether you only want to turn bowls, or a whole bunch of different things.

Re: vega 2400 or powermatic 352

Rodney in Maypearl, TX

>You can slide the headstock to the end of the ways on the 3520 and turn larger than 24" dia. if you have an outboard tool rest (either $OEM$ or shopmade). The theoretical limits are the distance to the floor (maybe 41") and the faceplate/chuck holding capacity.

Re: vega 2400 or powermatic 352

John Trant (Baltimore/DC area)

>My minimal experience with either lathe may render my response irrelevant but I have pondered your exact question myself quite a bit. The good news is that you will get a fine lathe with whichever one you decide on.

Even though I had eyed the Powermatic for a long time, I purchased the 2400 for turning bigger bowls than the 3520a will allow without using a free-standing toolrest stand. Personally, I think these outboard stands (at least mine) is inherently dangerous since they want to tip into the turning. The most inportant factor for me was that the 2400 will be more comfortable when hollowing out bowls and hollowforms. Bowls of all sizes, vases, lidded boxes, and ornaments are my typical turned wares. I also have a Nova 3000 with variable speed DC motor (16" swing x 44" bed) which I will use to turn everything else. If I had purchased the Powermatic, I would have sold the Nova (probably ... maybe). I haven't decided about the mini-lathe yet.

NB: If the 24" Powermatic had a sliding headstock, I would have purchase that lathe instead.

John

Re: vega 2400 or powermatic 352

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>1) You can turn up to 17" spindles on the Vega2400.

2) If I have to go longer on a spindle, I use my Jet Mini with a bed extension on it. Most normal spindles do not need much HP.

3) A big long lathe just would not have worked in my shop.

4) I think you will be happy with either machine. They were both top of my list, but circumstances made me choose the 2400.

Mark

Re: vega 2400 or powermatic 352

John Lucas

>Russ

The powermatic is 35" between centers but and your right you can slide the headstock out so that the spindle overhangs the end. If you use a free standing tool rest you can turn quite large. John

Re: vega 2400 or powermatic 352

Terry Merrifield

>I have the vega and it will actually turn almost 26", does 24" very comfortably. I got it because of the small footprint

For the record, Russ was refering to the 20" swing

Jay in TX (formerly from Ohio)

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