The local Woodcraft has a $500.00 off sale on the Nova DVR XP. I asked a few questions on a prior post but would like to get various opinions on this lathe. The primary use would be turning of bowls, platters and vases. I currently have a Jet Mini I would likely keep that for pens and/or for a Beale triple buffing set up.
Anything in particular I should know about on the Nova.
Any rumors about the financial health of the parent company? When I see a sale like this I sometimes think they are gettiung rid of them before the company goes under or before they bring out a new model.
In my not so humble opinion - I spent 35+ years writing software and dealing with computers. I was the go to guy. I never got beat by the computer. That said, anyone that wants to put a computer chip in my lathe can do so over my dead body. I've got an older Nova 3000 (now called the Nova 1624-44). I have never run into anything that this lathe can't do. Way less money and I'd bet my butt you won't know the difference. If you want to see the kind of stuff I produce go to
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The upside, beside the savings, is that it's going to be way more dependable over your kids, kids grandkids lifetimes.
Woodcraft has had periodic sales on the Nova lathes, usually once a year or so. I know nothing about the company's health or plans, but I don't think the Woodcraft sale is anything suspicious.
I have the 1624 model and I'm quite satisfied with it except for occasionally wishing I'd spent the money for the DVR. You did note on the ad that you have to buy or build a stand for the DVR? I'm puzzled why they don't include the stand that comes with the 1624.
Is the stand for the 1624 a good stand or should one consider building one. I have heard both plus and minus for being stable on large turnings(12-15"). I was going to buy a PM but this is a good price but as you noted the stand will add another $250+
All I know is what I read in the paper. I do know I love my DVR XP. I have turned several hundred bowls on it without problems. The computer did go bonkers once, but all it took was to unplug it for 5 minutes for a hard reboot and everything has been ok since then. I fiddled with enough reeves drives and manual belt change speed control. I do unplug it when not in use if there is any chance of a thunderstorm. Just like I do my other computers.
Mine was made in New Zealand, cannot speak to the newer ones made in China.
Nased on the current feedback and the previous string of posts in March I put in an order at the local Woodcraft (Greenville SC) and should have it in about 2weeks. I also ordered the cast iron stand and the outboard tool rest. It would appear from pictures of the lathe that I could pivot the head and then be able to sit on a stool while turning. If this works it will be great since I have low back issues if I stand for too long.
The 1624 stand has been OK for me, but I haven't done anything large or unbalanced. I have thought of building a plywood sand box to bolt the legs onto. You only have to buy a stand if you get the DVR and the stand they sell you is NOT the same one that comes with the 1624. If you plan to get the DVR look at the Teknatool website, they have plans for a wooden base you can build for far less than $250 (if you're inclined to BYO)
I was going to suggest that you get the cast iron legs - you made the right decision. And yes, the head does swivel. But note that if you do that with a heavy piece, especially one that's out of balance, you're putting all the load to one side of the stand - may somewhat increase vibration and stability. With most turning that won't be a problem.
I can't speak for the DVR but I've had my Nova 1624/44 since June (having upsized from a Delta midi - very similar to your Jet) and it's a very well built machine. Got mine from Woodturner's Supply in Utah and it came with the extension bed and a Nova chuck for free, as well as being on sale.
I appreciate the modular design approach which allows me to upgrade to the DVR head should I ever want/need to.
The stock legs seem to be adequate, but I haven't really challenged them too much yet. I wore the bearings out on my little Delta by turning oversized/unbalanced loads. (one of the reasons I purchased the Nova)
Thanks for the heads up on the potential vibration issue with an out of balance object when the headstock is pivoted. I'll be sure to be extra careful if I need to do this for one of my projects.
Do you know for sure that this is an option? I've looked all over the Teknatool website and the forum they used to have and find no mention of them offering to sell the DVR head by itself. I would probably spring for it if the price were at all reasonable.
I wasn't sure how to go about upgrading to DVR head, only that Woodturner's Supply Catalog mentioned that option as one of the selling points of the 1624/44.
I'm assuming that the DVR lathe and the 1624 share a common bed, banjo and perhaps tailstock. (That would certainly streamline the manufacturing process.) And since any part can be ordered separately as a replacement in case of wear or breakage, then as long as either headstock fits the bed they should be interchangeable.
I have only done a little turning on one. I had a PM 3520A for 8 years, then got a Robust. I prefer a sliding headstock to the pivoting one. One reason is you have to extend the banjo way out for turning if you want to go larger than 16 inches, which I seldom do as the big bowls are a very limited market. An outboard, on the floor tool rest mount is more stable. Also, it is what I am used to. You could still use a McNaughton bowl coring system on it if you pivot, but the Oneway and Woodcut would not work on it.
I prefer the variable speed of the lathes with the 3 phase converters on them. More convenient, and I probably use the whole range of speeds as each piece of wood is different. On the DVR you have 5 or so preselected speeds you can program in, but have a very slow up or down button to push if you want to vary those speeds. Never liked reeves drives, and switching pulleys for speed changes, works, but true variable speed is better. Once you have it you never want to go back.
Consider the Jet 16 inch lathes, 1.5 hp, 120 volt (requires a dedicated 20 amp circuit) or the 2hp 3 phase model. I would rank both of them above the Nova. Any motor, 1.5 hp and above should be run on
220. I don't know if the smaller Jet can be rewired or not.
I don't like the 2 ft sections of the Nova beds/ways for their lathe. Just not as sturdy as a solid section. Also, if you get the sheet metal stand, the bed sits down on the metal, and it is difficult to get the shavings out without an air hose.
In my case, I have a very small shop and a 72 year old back :-). I find the pivoting head saves my back when hollowing. And by sliding the head to the end and using the outboard tool stand, I can turn an 18" bowl on a "mini" lathe.
BTW, my lathe sits on a floor cabinet with the left end up against a wall. Naturally that's where the outboard tool rest was mounted. I was going to mount it on the right end instead, but found there were no holes for the bolts. I started muttering about having to drill and tap for it until I realized that the lathe bed is symmetric - all I had to do was turn it around. Sometimes it takes a while for the brain to wake up :-).
I'm about ready to pull the trigger as I like the fact of this pivoting also which may help to with my back issues. The one remaining question is the stand and the weight of this lathe. If I build a stand out of 8/4 maple and weight it down somehow should this be as good as the case iron legs they sell for it. I currently have my shopsmith anchored down to the floor using 3" screws into the concrete floor to prevent it from wondering.
I have my DVR mounted on 2ft x 5ft bench with drawers and storage shelf under. It even has swivel rollers on the legs. I have a small shop and have to move stuff around allot. I just turn out of balance pieces slow till they are more balanced. You won't believe how smooth the Nova is.
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