Full-size lathe advice needed

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eranox

eranox

Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2012
Messages
322
Location
Killeen, TX
I'm looking to upgrade my lathe in the next month or so. In addition to pens, I turn a lot of bowls and other wide turnings, and sometimes turn outboard. I do not have any need to turn long spindles. I have 110 and 220v power available.

Right now, my top contenders are the Nova 1624, the Jet 1642, and the Rikon 20" x 37" lathes--with and without EVS.

The Nova is on sale for $999, which makes it by far the least expensive. It is not EVS, but I can't tell how much of a pain it is to change speeds. Right now, I have the 12x33 3/8" Harbor Freight lathe. It's not EVS either, but speed changes are so easy that I don't miss it.

Does anyone have experience with these lathes? Is there another option I should be looking at? Any advice would be helpful.

Edit: Grizzly 22x42 is now in the running. I haven't heard much about these, good or bad, but it seems like a deal at $1550.
 
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Grizzly is closing their PA plant. Last week a couple of our club guys went up and brought back 6 of the 3HP 22" lathes. A couple of days later, another member went up and brought back 2 more!
These were under 1500 bucks. Grizzley had posted a 20%off on Sawmill Creek.
They also ship. Seems to be a solid lathe.

Otherwise, Nova DVR is the only Nova I would look at. We have 1. 16" and 3 20" models in our club.

I also second the previous post! All are top notch lathes. If I had the bucks and space, I would be looking seriously at Robust and OneWay.

Sounds like you need to get for all the HP and size you can get!

Hope this helps.
 
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eranox said:
Thanks, Charlie! I can't find that coupon, though. Do you happen to know where on the forum you saw it?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure all the machinery left is 20% off no coupon required.

I heard a couple weeks ago that the place was pretty cleaned out but apparently they have or had lathes at least.
 
Dan Masshardt said:
eranox said:
Thanks, Charlie! I can't find that coupon, though. Do you happen to know where on the forum you saw it?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure all the machinery left is 20% off no coupon required.

I heard a couple weeks ago that the place was pretty cleaned out but apparently they have or had lathes at least.
Click to expand...

Oh, I misunderstood. I can't get to the showroom, unfortunately.
 
Non EVS lathes do not exist. They are in ads just to trick you. :-)

I have a jet 1642 I recently bought used that will do both decent sized bowls and spindles. Happy with with. Can't imagine changing a belt as I inch the speed up constantly. And for bowls you can find the perfect sweet spot before it starts vibrating.

The Nova DV-R is the other lathe you should probably consider - especially if it ever goes on sale. Downside is I don't believe it comes with legs.
 
eranox said:
Dan Masshardt said:
eranox said:
Thanks, Charlie! I can't find that coupon, though. Do you happen to know where on the forum you saw it?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure all the machinery left is 20% off no coupon required.

I heard a couple weeks ago that the place was pretty cleaned out but apparently they have or had lathes at least.
Click to expand...

Oh, I misunderstood. I can't get to the showroom, unfortunately.
Click to expand...

They will ship if interested.
 
I was in exactly the same position as you a couple of years back -- the HF 12 x 33 lathe with the Reeves drive speed controller.

I bought the Nova 1624 from Woodcraft at the sale price.

For 2 years it has served me well. I use it for pens, short spindle stuff (lidded boxes, peppermills), and bowls -- though I haven't used it outboard.

I'm seriously considering buying the variable speed motor upgrade. This is the same motor and controller that go into the DVR, but it drives the pulley belt system rather than directly driving the spindle. I think the upgrade kit costs $899 -- almost as much as I paid for the 1624, but the total amount would still be less than if I bought the DVR plus legs.

In summary -- the 1624 is a good lathe and it's a bargain at $999. I'm not saying it's better than the other lathes that people have named, because I don't have firsthand knowledge of those lathes.
 
Charlie_W said:
eranox said:
Dan Masshardt said:
eranox said:
Thanks, Charlie! I can't find that coupon, though. Do you happen to know where on the forum you saw it?
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure all the machinery left is 20% off no coupon required.

I heard a couple weeks ago that the place was pretty cleaned out but apparently they have or had lathes at least.
Click to expand...

Oh, I misunderstood. I can't get to the showroom, unfortunately.
Click to expand...

They will ship if interested.
Click to expand...

The 20% off is only good in the PA location that is closing and for showroom pick up only. They will not ship 20% off items. They have info on their website for this event.
 
eranox said:
I'm looking to upgrade my lathe in the next month or so. In addition to pens, I turn a lot of bowls and other wide turnings, and sometimes turn outboard. I do not have any need to turn long spindles. I have 110 and 220v power available.

Right now, my top contenders are the Nova 1624, the Jet 1642, and the Rikon 20" x 37" lathes--with and without EVS.

The Nova is on sale for $999, which makes it by far the least expensive. It is not EVS, but I can't tell how much of a pain it is to change speeds. Right now, I have the 12x33 3/8" Harbor Freight lathe. It's not EVS either, but speed changes are so easy that I don't miss it.

Does anyone have experience with these lathes? Is there another option I should be looking at? Any advice would be helpful.

Edit: Grizzly 22x42 is now in the running. I haven't heard much about these, good or bad, but it seems like a deal at $1550.
Click to expand...
I had the Nova 1624 - 32 and was told when I bought it to get a VS model but I didn't but soon converted it to a VS having been turning for 6 months. Go for the Nova DVR you will not be sorry.
Personally I would buy a Oneway.

Lin.
 
I upgraded to a full size just recently, and I was considering the Grizzley G0766. There are several threads involving this lathe on Sawmill creek. Most who have bought them seem pretty happy. However, there is an issue with the height of the banjo. It sits too high for some tools. There is a thread over there where an owner had his machined lower. Later, I think the same person bought a Oneway banjo. So if you plan on going with this lathe, I'd really recommend the Oneway banjo as an upgrade.

My suggestion is to look around and try as many as you can. I looked at several, and turned on a few before I bought a Powermatic. I even had a guy let me try his Robust Liberty. Now that is a really sweet machine, but just way too much for me to justify.

I've turned on a Nova 1624, and it's certainly capable. If you're really on a tight budget, it's not a bad option. I guess I'm spoiled because I started with a VS lathe, and didn't want to step backwards in that regard.

I ended up getting a Powermatic. In addition, I bought the Oneway banjo. It really is night and day between it and the stock banjo on the Powermatic. My main reason to buy the Powermatic over the Grizzley was Service and Support. Powermatic/Jet has a great reputation for support of their products.
 
After turning for years on a Jet 1220 without VS I was introduced to the Robust line at SWAT. I was sold quickly on the Sweet 16. With the ability to turn 32" inboard, made in the USA, stainless steel ways, 2hp motor that is VS from 60-3000 rpm that is made by Leeson, and many other features, I didn't turn back.
I have never regretted it, especially with a 7 yr warranty and super customer service from owner Brent English who developed their line of lathes. A little more expensive but well worth it.
It is made in Wisconsin.
There are others that are probably as good, but Robust is top of the line.
Gordon
 
flyitfast said:
After turning for years on a Jet 1220 without VS I was introduced to the Robust line at SWAT. I was sold quickly on the Sweet 16. With the ability to turn 32" inboard, made in the USA, stainless steel ways, 2hp motor that is VS from 60-3000 rpm that is made by Leeson, and many other features, I didn't turn back.
I have never regretted it, especially with a 7 yr warranty and super customer service from owner Brent English who developed their line of lathes. A little more expensive but well worth it.
It is made in Wisconsin.
There are others that are probably as good, but Robust is top of the line.
Gordon
Click to expand...
Even though I didn't-couldn't-wouldn't justify the additional expense for a Robust lathe. I have to agree. If the Powermatic is the cadillac of lathes, the Robust is the Rolls Royce. And Oneway is right there too. My issue with the Oneway is their outboard turning. It's probably the best way for this kind of lathe, but it takes up a lot more room. I just couldn't figure how I could get it in my small space. The other issue is the metric spindle. It's not bad, but it limits your options a bit.

BTW, the Robust I turned on was in Buda. You may know the gentleman that let me try his lathe. Really a nice guy.
 
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