OneWay 1224

If you want capacity buy capacity. The 1224 is the equivalent of a Lincoln the size of a Focus. I'm turning on a similar machine, a 12" Delta 46-204, which was called a medium duty lathe back when. Incredibly durable and smooth, but I jumped a chance to buy a lesser-built Nova 3000 for the capacity. I plan to let Blue take the continuous work, and baby the bigger guy. Unless you can get that lathe for the 3-400 that the old schoolhouse Rockwell or Deltas are going for, it'd let it pass.

After graduate school is done on the last kid, I'm getting some BIG iron!

I certainly would be among the last to find fault with a Oneway but I do agree with George's Focus/Lincoln analogy. You stated that you really want a "big boy" and increasing your swing capacity from 10" to 12" isn't really meeting the requirements most people would have for a big lathe. IMO, if the Oneway had a 14" -16" swing it would be a totally different situation.

Try and use your best crystal ball and determine just what you want to do in the way of turning. I do realize how dumb the previous sentence is but do your best. Do you really need a swing over 12". I have a 20" General and even though I have never turned anything at its capacity it sure is nice to have the bulk and the room. Can slide the banjo anywhere I want. Plenty of room for a steady.

If you really want big, give it a pass unless you are certain you can get it real cheap and have an easy time selling it (unless you are a lathe collector).

Billh

You're not really trading up all that much, except in quality, and the Jet Mini you now have is no slouch in that department. Going from a 10" swing to a 12" is a barely noticeable increase. If you need more spindle length, you can always get a bed extension for the Jet for about $50.

I have a friend who has a 1224 and he loves it. Says if he had gotten the

1224 first, he would never have bought his General 260VS. The 1224 is a great lathe. No question. Quality is never a question with a Oneway of any size.

I say save your money and take a real step upwards. I just traded up from a Jet Mini to a Stubby 750. (I say "traded", actually a misnomer because I still have the Jet Mini and have no plans to get rid of it).

I looked at and/or tried just about every lathe in between, including a Oneway 1224 and 2436. None was exactly what I was looking for. The Stubby is. I doubt Stubby is any better than Oneway, just better suited for my style of turning. Good luck in your quest.

Barry

Thanks to all for the input. I still haven't decided, but it would make a nice second lathe for the future. P. S. my wife asked me to teach her to turn! Who knows, maybe two new lathes.