Powermatic 3520a/3520b

Jul 27, 2006 5 Replies

Hello All,



Can anyone tell me the difference between the two? Does the 3520b have the ability to move the spindle head as the 3520a does?



Regards, Steve


Steven, I have the 3520b and I can't really remember the differences when I compared. Not sure what you mean by "moving spindle head". If you mean the headstock, yes, it can be slid down the ways to the other end.

As I understood, and saw, the 3520b was a number of improvements that some

3520a owners had asked for. One instructor at J C Campbell School in North Carolina said it had features that the 3520a should have had in the first place. They use some 3520a's in their school. However, to me, some of those differences were aimed at production turners.

Actually, the big thing at the decision time was that the closeout pricing of the 3520a versus the new 3520b seemed a lot better until I went to a Klingspor Extravaganza and they made a deal on the new one. Price diff got so close I couldn't pass up the new one. At the AAW in Louisville this year I noticed they've got the price as low or lower than what I paid.

FWIW, the 3520 was the Amercian made version with even more iron as I was told. I suspected that the "b" was a cleanup of the "a" design after it went to overseas for manufacture.

TomNie

This detailed comparison ought to do it for you:

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Steven trauthwein wrote: > Hello All,

Can the pin lock at the tailstock end of the 3520b be removed so you can remove the tailstock?

The main reason I am considering purchasing the 3520b is to be able to remove the tailstock, and move the headstock to the tailstock end of the lathe thus allowing you to be able to stand directly in front of you work.

Bob

Yes. And you can buy an optional outboard rest assembly. TomNie

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