Thinking of another lathe

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joefrog

joefrog

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Joined
Mar 14, 2012
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409
Location
Birmingham, AL area (Alabaster)
I'm considering another lathe in addition to my Delta 46-460. Maybe something a bit larger, maybe another similar sized one. Anyone have wonderful experiences with one?

A local has this one for sale:
Grizzly.com

I'm overwhelmed!

Thanks for any pointers and advice!
Joel
 
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I have a Jet 1642 which is a nice complement to my Jet 1220. Heavy duty, nice electronic speed control, 16" swing over the bed, and dead on accurate. I bought it over the summer and love it for my heavier turnings. I like having the two different machines. The bulk of the 1642 is very noticeable when hollowing out bowls.

My turning club has a Nova DVR, which is very nice to use. I feel comfortable with it even though I only get to touch it once every couple of months. It is a little shorter than the Jet, but still long enough for basic spindle turning.

Both go for about the same starting price at Woodcraft ($2300-$2400) but you have to add legs to the Nova and Jet has frequent 10% off sales which makes the Jet closer to $2000 and the Nova more like $2800 if you go with the Teknatool legs. You might be able to find either one used. I think you would be happy with either one. I have not used a Grizzly so can't comment there.
 
I have a pitifully small shop. It's an out-building that is crammed with everything I had in a huge 28' x 16 space before I remarried. Add that to the reasoning of having a similar sized lathe. And yes, on occasion I'd like to leave it set up for dedicated purposes.
 
if you're considering moving up to the 16" range - I'd look at a Jet rather than a Grizzly.

reasoning - the Jet has a true variable speed, the Grizzly has a reeves drive - and the slowest speed is 600 RPM.

an unbalanced bowl blank running at 600 RPM will dance that lathe all over the shop...until it reaches the end of the power cord. :biggrin:
 
Here's another thumbs down on a lathe with a Reeves Drive. I bought one once when I didn't know any better (jet 1442). Now that I know better I wouldn't take one for free.

Ed
 
parklandturner said:
Here's another thumbs down on a lathe with a Reeves Drive. I bought one once when I didn't know any better (jet 1442). Now that I know better I wouldn't take one for free.

Ed
Click to expand...

Just in case anyone's offering, I would take one for free. ;-)

Common advice seems to be though that most reeves drives will eventually need to be rebuilt.
 
A reeves drive has an adjustable pulley. Moving the handle changes the effective diameter of the adjustable pulley which changes the speed. So instead of moving the belt to different size pulleys you "adjust" the adjustable pulley. This adjustable pulley is what inevitably becomes a major headache and point of failure.

Ed
 
The Penguin said:
if you're considering moving up to the 16" range - I'd look at a Jet rather than a Grizzly.

reasoning - the Jet has a true variable speed, the Grizzly has a reeves drive - and the slowest speed is 600 RPM.

an unbalanced bowl blank running at 600 RPM will dance that lathe all over the shop...until it reaches the end of the power cord. :biggrin:
Click to expand...

In addition to the dancing and high speed, the reeves drive is actually only about ten speeds. Also, when the sheaves (pulleys) wear out, they will cut the belt to shreds very quickly. I gave mine away to a novice with his complet4 knowledge of what he was getting into. I now own the DVR XP and love the solid feel, true variable speed, torque, and outboard capability. You can use the legs or put it on a bench. It truly is a fabulous machine. (Have I raved enough about it?) I still want to get a second lathe in the 24" or bigger capacity for turning large bowls. But that will wait a bit.
 
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