Powermatic owners in OR or No. CA

FWIW, I was looking at the Powermatic 3520A. I liked its heft (ca. 600#) and many of its features. I, too, wanted to buy my "last lathe" and wanted a tool that would handle my crrent and projected needs. After considerable soul searching, I decided on the Oneway 1640 for a couple of reasons. First, it's built with the excellent Oneway quality and attention to detail. Second, with the addition of a relatively inexpensive extension, it does either 24" swing outboard of the headstock (complete with banjo and tailstock...not a floor stand) or 64" spindles. Third, while it's not significantly heavier than the Powermatic, it feels sturdier with a heavy piece of wood mounted. It's certainly more expensive than the Powermatic, but well worth it, I believe...if you can try one at a store or club, you owe it to yourself to do so, IMHO.

Regards, Walt

Earl wrote:

I own a PM3520a and I have turned on the 24" shortbed Vicmarc. Both are excellent lathes and you have a tough decision. Much depends on the type of turning you plan to do. The PM gives you the advantages of a sliding headstock which can become a shortbed lathe if that is what you need. There are many turners in our NE Oklahoma club that have owned PM lathes for many years. Most of these turners are professional turners and use their lathes daily. I am reminded of a piece of advise that helps on all tool purchases: "buy quality tools and buy the largest lathe you can afford." When you are speaking of a

20" vs a 24" swing the deciding answer rests on you; "how large of pieces are you planning to turn?" Good Luck, from what I can see, you can't make a bad decision. Regards, Larry

Strange that you mention this, but the 1640 has also been on my list and I will certainly think more about it. The price is OK but I was concerned about the size with the extension. I wil have to decide to dedicate that much shop space to it! I know Oneways are top of the line so I will give it more thought. Thanks. Earl

Good pont regarding the space issue. Of course, you can always do as I have and hold off on the extension until you need/are ready for it. Still being a relative newbie to turning, I have not yet ordered the extension; when I do, I'll have to find room for the extra 2 feet, too. :) In addition, one needs room "behind" the lathe so as to be able to work on the extension from the other side, as turning is done with the motor in reverse so as to be able to work in what is then a "normal" (headstock-on-the-left) position.

Walt

Thanks, Larry. Found out a person here in town owns one so I tried it out yesterday and loved it. I don't think the 4" swing is worth $1000 when I can get that, anyway, with an outboard stand that I can make. Besides, I don't even have any wood that I could turn a 24" bowl of. LOL Nobody yet has said "You're nuts, Earl. If you can buy the Vicmarc, don't even think about the PM." So I'm definitely leaning that way but will keep sort of an open mind. Earl

Looked again at the stats, I just don't think the 16" swing is a big enough jump from my Delta. I know it's a much, much better lathe but I can't see spending another $1000 bucks, and then not only have to buy the extension but also another banjo and tailstock as I would want those for bowls. My mind isn't totally closed yet (:)) but getting close! Thanks for the feedback.

Earl

Ok, You're nuts, Earl. If you can buy the Vicmarc, don't even think about the PM.

Bill