I'm agonizing over a lathe purchase, HELP! ( Long)

Re: I'm agonizing over a lathe purchase, HELP! ( L

Rodney in Maypearl, TX

>If I lived that close to the Buffalo River or White River, I'd be backpacking or shooting the rapids instead of fooling with a silly old lathe :)

I doubt if you are going to find anyone that owns one that will tell you not to get the 3520. 2 hp 20" swing over the bed, practically unlimited swing by sliding the headstock to the end. Silky smooth and brute strength -- beauty and the beast.

But I couldn't ...

Clem Wixted, Jonesboro, AR

>...take it backpacking or fishing in the Ozark, Boston, or Ouachita mountains :-)

Re: I'm agonizing over a lathe purchase, HELP! ( L

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Clem,

You can get an adapter so that all your spindle accessories will work on a larger lathe. I was in the same situation as you. I turned for 4 years on my Jet Mini, and accumulated a ton of chucks and faceplates, etc. When I moved up to a larger lathe last year, I was suddenly down to one 4" faceplate. I spent $60 for an adapter from Best Wood Tools, and now can use either one.

I personally prefer the spindle height much higher that elbow height, because I almost exclusively do bowls, but if the spindle height is too high, you can construct a small platform to stand on.

Mark

Re: I'm agonizing over a lathe purchase, HELP! ( L

Steve Lewis

>Clem, If you are serious about turning, then buy the PM 3520. It is more than twice the lathe than the Jet 1442. The 1442 is the best lathe for the money on the market, but is not in the same league as the PM 3520. Another note; 99% of turners always regret not buying the bigger lathe and end up doing it later anyway. I ditto the remarks by Mark. Good Luck and Happy Turns! Steve Lewis

The backpacking trips are...

Rodney in Maypearl, TX

>for liberating burls and such. You are blessed to live in such beautiful country. I read somewhere that AR is 2/3 wooded! If you get down into the Ouchitas, try the little "Caney Creek Trail" over by Shady Lake.

Re: I'm agonizing over a lathe purchase, HELP! ( L

Keith Tompkins

>Clem, I suggest selling the old Walker-Turner, since it is old and obsolete.

Send it to me, I'll be glad to take it off your hands!

Seriously, if you can get the Powermatic, just do it, keep the mini for small stuff, etc.

Re: I'm agonizing over a lathe purchase, HELP! ( L

Barry Turner

>Why? I mean, why are you agonizing? The 3520A beats the Jet Mini and 1442 hands down.

I think you will like electronic speed control much better than the Reeves drive. It's much quieter and smoother.

Speed control is less important on the Mini, because you can usually just pick a speed and go with it. Unless, of course, you are turning something that approaches the limits of the lathe's swing.

Re: I'm agonizing over a lathe purchase, HELP! ( L

Earl

>I started with an old Grizzly. Upgraded to the Delta equivalent of the Jet. It took about a year until I got sick of the Reeves drive, the noise and the vibration. Ungraded again to the Powermatic. I seriously doubt that I will have to upgrade again. Buy the Powermatic and skip all the in-between steps.

Earl

Re: I'm agonizing over a lathe purchase, HELP! ( L

Richard in South Carolina

>Get the 3520.

I have one and I am short. I purchased floor mats that are about 1/2 inch thick, plied up 3 of them and presto I'm just the right heigh.