lathe recommendation

I've had very good luck with the lathes from Teknatool. I've owned a Nova Comet and a Nova 3000 and currently have a Nova DVR 3000 and a Nova Mercury Mini Lathe. The Nova DVR 3000 will likely cost you close to $2000 by the time you include shipping and perhaps sales tax. In that price range, I feel it is the best buy. I've had mine for about a year and a half and am quite pleased with it.

Fred Holder

Nova DVR

and if memory servers me correctly woodcraft has a sale on the DVR right now

Fred Holder wrote:

PM 3520. Real iron, and the headstock slides for the end for the final cuts without having to screw around with toolrest extensions and such.

I'd have to concur. I have a Jet 1442, which is a fine machine, but had Uncle Sam not reaped too dearly of my reserves for (choose one) 1) new lathe, 2) emergency funds, 3) additional taxes, (he chose #3), I'd have a

3520 myself. For my money the Powermatic offers the best price for weight, power, features, construction, and precision on the market. Your $2500 will buy a lathe comparable to those costing at least $1000 more. My two cents worth . . .

Max

Thanks alot for the input guys. I have asked around here locally and also considering your responses here I have decided on the Powermatic. Now I just have to figure out how to get it up my very steep driveway to my shop.

============================== You can use a team of mice, but you'll have to use a whip! {:-)

Ken Moon Webberville,TX

Friends. Lots of friends. Young friends, strong friends. And lots of beer. The darn thing weighs 700lbs.

Max

only 700 pounds? let's suppose your driveway slopes at 45 degrees (which it won't), in that case you put the thing on rollers, and pull with 350 pounds of pulling force. Of course your driveway isn't 45 degrees - 22 degrees is considered very very steep - if I did my calculations right, and ignoring friction you would need about 250 pounds of force to pull it up a 22 degree slope, 120 pounds to pull it up a 10 degree slope (still pretty steep), and

60 pounds to pull it up a 5 degree slope. so, the key is wheels (and maybe a pulley and rope). Or, take the ways and the motor, and whatnot separately and then it's a lot lighter - that's how I moved my lathe (fairly heavy at about 800 pounds)

The trig is helpful, but strong young friends work most efficiently for cheap beer. Much simpler. :-)

Max

================================= About 220 mi (20 east of Austin) ....... Back is OK, legs don't work so well; been in a wheel chair for past 4 years. Ken