Musing about lathes Evolution and survival vs disappearance of species

I think it depends on who uses it. I see that all the time in my line of work. Some seem to think that if a famous woodworker uses a tool that a similar amount of competence will be transferred to them by purchasing a tool.

That said, I also think that if a quality tool is not promoted through channels properly it doesn't have a chance. With the prices of all the tools in woodworking these days no one wants to be the first to jump. We all feel a little safer in the water if we can see some swimmers that were out there first.

Another aspect is this: I have a friend of mine that is a hobby woodworker, and he only buys a tool if I have it. He has the same routers, drills, saws, table saws, drill press, etc. That way he feels like if anything goes wrong with it he can call me for a fix. Or if there is something he cannot figure out his own he knows I know the tools well enough to give him phone help.

Warranties/product durability are key for me. I couldn't give a crap about color or name. My shop and truck box looks like the inside of a Tim Burton movie. Lots of different colors. If I see a tool that is similarly priced, but I know no matter what the written policy is, they don't back their tools, I don't buy that product, even if it works better for the task.

Just my opinions of course.

Robert

There are design considerations that come into play. A common lathe headstock will have a bearing set with high radial and axial thrust qualities nearest the spindle at the inboard end. The bearing at the outboard end is not so heavy duty and its job is to keep the shaft inline and support the belt loads, it carries none of the turning load. While the shaft is firmly attached to the inboard bearing inner races, the shaft is allowed to float in the outboard bearing. This prevents heat form applying a damaging force to the bearings as the shaft lengthens.

Making both ends able to support turning is no easy task. It requires a lot more engineering and a more complicated assemply, which also means a more complicated belt changing, and increased cost.

Finally, in the Robust headstock, even if the outboard bearing was increased, you wouldn't be able to turn very large bowls since the motor would interfere. And, you'd need some sort of outboard tool post arrangement. I have found that all outboard tool post to be lacking in rigidity. Plus, you'd loose your handwheel, and finally, you'd need a new set of faceplates with LH threads.

Dan

The motor would interfere _if_ you, for reasons of your own, prefer to turn away from the headstock. No problem whatsoever if you turn the outside of a piece toward the headstock, then reverse to inside.

Maybe that's what they mean by

Seems to me that the upper weight of the wood you could turn on this would be a lot more than the weight of the tailstock. If you can get the blank on the lathe, you can probably remove the tailstock.

Speaking of wrassling, how do you adjust the legs if you don't like the initial setup?

Why not buy two Powermatic 3520A's for same price?

Anyone actually seen one of these in person? I always get a little jittery when a toolmaker shows a drawing of their product, rather than an actual product.