Load Lathe

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
R

raar25

Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2011
Messages
770
Location
Glastonbury CT
So upgraded from my delta 46-700 to a new Craftsman 2 hp VS lathe with 15" capacity over the bed and I was psyched when I turned my first bowl at 400 rpm. The power was much nicer than the Delta and the chips were flying everywhere. Than I moved on to my first pen. When I dialed up the rpm to the 2400 rpm it was so loud that I was a little afraid and turned it off. Then I retried it and it was running ok but I could not stand at it without hearing protection or my head would be ringing after a few minutes. I give up, time to buy that new Grizzly and get a lathe that really meets my needs. Anyone need a slightly used lathe??????????????:mad:
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
If you "upgrade" to the Grizzly", you are likely getting a the same lathe as the Craftsman at a greater price....they are the same lathe (both made by the same Chinese company).

For a Lathe in that HP range, I'd look at Nova, Jet ,Powermatic or OneWay. AT LEAST, with these companies you are upgrading.

My experience with Grizzly has NOT been good.

Respectfully submitted.
 
raar25 said:
When I dialed up the rpm to the 2400 rpm it was so loud that I was a little afraid and turned it off.
Click to expand...


Was it a high pitched whine, or a lower pitched growl? Do you know if the lathe has a "reeves drive" or is it all electronic? If the speed control knob is a small potentiometer, then it is electronic and the bearing is a likely source. If the speed control is a larger dial type, then it is a "reeves drive". These are noisy and likely normal operation. If the lathe is new, contact Sears.
 
I had one a few years back with the Reeves drive. I had a very bad experience with it. I had purchased the extended warranty and had the repair man out often. I turned a lot of bowls and every month or so the Reeves would jam and had to be taken apart and cleaned, get too much dust in it. Also had bearing problems. Probably cost Sears 10 times what I paid for the warranty. I got rid of it and bought a Powermatic 3520 with bed extender and have never looked back! Great lathe.
 
This unit is used I bought it for $300 and the noise is high pitched which may be bearings and possibly gears since it does not have any belts, but I doubt it is gears based on the pitch. I am sure this is not at all like the grizzly, jet, nova or any other item currently on the market as a current model because the electronic motor drives through a gear pair and shaft and yes it is definately made in china like almost every other lathe under $4k. I have read some good things recently about the latest grizzly models and the price is right.
 
Take a look at Robust. They are not inexpensive but they are made in the U.S., including the motor. If you turn much green wood the ways are stainless steel, no worries about surface rust.
 
I appreciate all of the recommendations but when it comes to buying the new machine I cant get past the price difference. Even if it needs help when it first shows up the grizzly is so much lower in price than all the rest, I dont know how to justify an extra $1000-$2500 for no extra capacity. although I understand the comments on resale, when does anyone ever sell a lathe of this type? I have been looking for months and no one sells a lathe with 16" EVS so I dont see that as a real factor. With regards to made in the US, I would pay more for Made in the US but the price would have to be within reasonable range of the alternative. Even a 50% difference I would consider, but not 2X-3X again for no extra capacity. But if anyone knows of a lathe that can turn 16" dia has electronic variable speed and is made in the US for <$2500 please let me know.

So for now I decided to dig into the current loud lathe last night and it does appear to be in the motor bearing area near the handwheel. I ordered two new bearings for the motor and new brushes so lets see how that works.
 
Well a new option presented itself last night. I received a sale flyer from WC and they are putting their Nova DVR XP on sale $500 off. So the choice just got harder. From the reviews and videos I have looked at , the reviews all seem great on this lathe expecially with respect to the quality of the product. It is also only a 24" long bed which is a benefit because my workshop space for the lathe is limited (I dont do many chair or table legs).

So I open it up to comments on two issues: Does it really have enough power to turn a 20" dia bowl and has the direct drive motor shown to be durable ? My concern is 10 years down the road since I would need to go back to Nova for parts what if they dont carry everything ?
 
I'd wait to make any decision until you get the bearings replaced. You may love the lathe you have with new bearings in it!
 
raar25 said:
Well a new option presented itself last night. I received a sale flyer from WC and they are putting their Nova DVR XP on sale $500 off. So the choice just got harder. From the reviews and videos I have looked at , the reviews all seem great on this lathe expecially with respect to the quality of the product. It is also only a 24" long bed which is a benefit because my workshop space for the lathe is limited (I dont do many chair or table legs).

So I open it up to comments on two issues: Does it really have enough power to turn a 20" dia bowl and has the direct drive motor shown to be durable ? My concern is 10 years down the road since I would need to go back to Nova for parts what if they dont carry everything ?
Click to expand...

I have had the Nova lathes and can speak highly of this lathe and they have be around a long time. I actually had a 24" block of wood on mine (outboard) and the lathe was chained to the concrete. Was slow going for a while but once I got it round it was no problem. I would not hesitate to but this lathe again. JM2CW. Here you can see what a Nova can do

Lin.
 
Last edited:
Nova DVR XP It is

So I ended up getting new bearings and new brushes for the used craftsman I just bought and it got a little quiter especially since the motor would not stay running. This lead to buying new motor form someone on craigs list which got the machine running but even with a new motor it was very loud at 2000 RPM. So after turning a couple things I found out it was not only load but clunky and not at all pleasant to work on. So after spending more time with the used machine doing repairs than turning not to mention when it did run it was so loud it gave me a head ache, I gave up and sold it on e-bay today. Then I went out with the wife and bought a new Nova DVR XP on sale at the local woodcraft tonight. This machine is rediculously quiet and vibration free. Hopefully by sunday I should be get some time to turn something.:tongue:
 
raar25 said:
Well a new option presented itself last night. I received a sale flyer from WC and they are putting their Nova DVR XP on sale $500 off. So the choice just got harder. From the reviews and videos I have looked at , the reviews all seem great on this lathe expecially with respect to the quality of the product. It is also only a 24" long bed which is a benefit because my workshop space for the lathe is limited (I dont do many chair or table legs).

So I open it up to comments on two issues: Does it really have enough power to turn a 20" dia bowl and has the direct drive motor shown to be durable ? My concern is 10 years down the road since I would need to go back to Nova for parts what if they dont carry everything ?
Click to expand...

When I bought my lathe, a Jet1442, I was looking at the Nova DVR... I liked the direct drive motor idea... the manager at the local Woodcraft said they had only sold one Nova DVR in the previous year and the guy brought it back... he claimed to have broken the motor shaft? -- not sure how that would have happened, but I opted to go for the JET since it was on sale. Other than the Reeves Unit, which I have a little trouble with, the lathe has been a workhorse for the past 5 years... I was looking at the Grizzly's and liked what I saw, but I'm more or less a hands on shopper and wanted to see and touch what I was getting before I spent that kind of money...

To answer your last question, I've heard good things about Nova's customer service.
 
Last edited:
Ok, so I got the Nova lathe Friday night and finally got it bolted down and cleaned up enough last night to turn a pen. All I can say is OMG what an incredibly smooth and pleasant machine to work on. Now I realize how loud and shaky everything I have worked on for the last 37 years has been. I can now tell when the vibration is coming from the part and chisel vs the drive system or tail stock flex. I have noticed two down sides 1. now I can actually hear how loud my dust collector is and 2. My wife can pretty much ask for anything and I cant say no.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom