Powermatic 3520a

OK guys, your comments have been informative and very appreciated. The Vega is too far into bowls and the others keep me anguishing between cheaper to start with and just go ahead with the full thing one time. Objective is mainly bowls but not exclusive. Could be small work as well - like ornaments.

Prices have really risen it seems, especially in today's freight world, i.e. the DVR3000 just jumped from $1800 to $2000 at Packard + frt. When you get around $2,000 it looks like the 3520a ($2,299 best $ inc frt) is a strong contender with enough features to be your final lathe. "Seems" like the

3520b hasn't got that much more to offer versus the new price increase. A 3520a user might disagree.

Again, folks, your time to respond is respected and appreciated. Hope it helps others as well.

TomNie

Reply to
Tom Nie
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I wonder if there is ever such a thing as a "final lathe" unless of course the boss (read wife) says THAT'S IT !

Reply to
Bill Gooch

I've got a 3520a, and I agree that the upgrade to the b is a bit wishywashy.

The 3520 line is great. solid, strong and heavy....

I also have a 3520 for sale (couldn't get the extension bed anymore, and I needed the extra length). If your looking for a reasonably priced machine, and don't need more than 35" between centers, drop me a line...

--JD

Reply to
jd

I have a 3520a. I think it's the best lathe in its price class by far, massive and powerful (although I did add 350 pounds of sand, a 1,000 pound lathe is better than a 700 pound lathe). The sliding headstock is a joy for bowls and hollow forms. And unlike a short-bed lathe, the 3520a has enough length to slide the tailstock out of the way without needing to remove it when working on most projects. I bought mine from Osolnik Machinery (Rude's son, if you didn't know).

-mike paulson, fort collins, co

Reply to
Mike Paulson

I bought my first lathe 70 years ago. (1936)....Many lathes later, I can tell you that is no "final lathe". Ther'll always be something newer and better.

Wally

Reply to
Wally

I think you are on the right track. I, too, have the 3520a and still can't think of a reason to get a bigger lathe. Maybe if I had unlimited funds, more features might be fun, but when you can swing 20" over the bed and much more off the end... what more do you want? I seriously thought about the DVR in that price range but without the heft and stand and the ability to do bigger things easily, the Powermatic won out. Earl

Reply to
Earl

I see it so often, guess I'll throw another of my "know-it-all" questions in for thought. Why would the weight of the stand mean anything in a purchase decision? Make any stand that suits and add what weight you need. Better yet, balance the rough pieces better and be safer and easier on your lathe.

Note that I am jealous of 3520 owners, but I would pitch the stand and build one more suitable if I did get one. I can't devote that much footprint to empty space in my shop.

Not jealous of DVR owners, because I've got a lot of the same stuff in the

3000.
Reply to
George

In a sense you are right, and I have always done that with any lathe I have owned, until I got the Powermatic. The 3520a has one of the best stands I have ever seen, solid cast iron, no sheet metal, cast in lugs to lay shelving on, feet wide enough to sweep between with a push broom and to to help control any tendency to rock. It's a fantastic stand. It's not a stand really, but legs that attach to each end of the bed. Most of the weight is in the bed and headstock. You won't believe how massive the bed is. I have made some really excellent HEAVY stands for other lathes I have owned, but it would be pointless with the Powermatic, the stand that comes with it is too good.

Easy to say, but not always realistic. You'd be amazed at how much even a slightly unbalanced piece can rock your lathe. Production turners need to get things done fast, and a large number of hobbyists just don't have the time or patience to baby each piece through the roughing out stage. And then there are the pieces that will be unbalanced by design - vessels with natural elements (holes, bark inclusions, etc), off-center turnings, multi-axis turnings, the list goes on.

-mike paulson, fort collins, co

Reply to
Mike Paulson

I would totally agree with you. Not to nitpick, but my comment was "...the heft and the stand." I was thinking of the overall weight--700 pounds, hard to beat. And I was also thinking of the included stand as opposed to the DVR where you have to build/buy the stand. I was not thinking of the weight of the stand. The heft and weight has far more to do than just having a balanced piece of wood. It is the stability, the solidness, the lack of vibration... and I admit I love standing next to the lathe and wondering if it's on or off because it's so quiet--also due the "heft."

As for the stand, it's footprint isn't that much bigger than the lathe. If you can fit the lathe in your shop, the stand will fit. But there are many lathes where I would certainly pitch the stand (my ol' Delta!) Earl

Reply to
Earl

I should add that there is one big problem in buying a lathe like the Powermatic. Once you buy a great piece of equipment it will make everything else in your shop look really cheap! My contractor's saw, my Elephand brand band saw, my cheezy no name grinder--they are all now junk. I now need another $10,000 to upgrand everything else to the same standard! Earl

Reply to
Earl

Just for the record, the stand (legs) on the Powermatic are essentially the same ones as on the Jet 1442 and 1642 lathes. They add roughly 150 lbs. to an otherwise reasonably heavy group of lathes.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

Jeff.. that being the case, I'd recommend getting the legs...

I didn't bother with legs with my jet mini.. you can use that thing on a workmate..

When I got the Jet 1442, the deal included the legs, and since it was a floor model, it came fully assembled... Love the legs.. Very sturdy and the lugs for the shelf, bolt holes for add-ons, etc. are very nice..

mac

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Reply to
mac davis

Hope I didn't give the wrong impression, Mac. I got the legs, too.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

No, Jeff.. right impression.. I was adding my "stamp of approval" to yours.. *g*

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Reply to
mac davis

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