What is best lathe manufacturer?

actually, it made perfect sense.

as i am planning on getting a jet mini jml-1014vs for the moment, i am looking to plan for the future (this fall and beyond).

i just learned from one of the other guys on this NG that he mounted a block of wood on his nova DVR and it weighed 96 pounds (he sent me a picture).

when i learned this, i got to thinking that i might be shooting just a little TOO large on the future lathe. I know you can turn chessmen on an giant. But, will i REALLY turn a gargantuan piece of wood? I am not certain at this moment.

I am certain that for the next couple of months, I may be posting some newbie questions until it get it worked out.

i am still very interested in building my own large-scale lathe. I am not planning on doing it to save money but for the experience.

Rob

Interesting. It still should not have vibrated. Something must have been wrong with it but nobody at the woodcraft store has the time or cares to mess with it. When I was going to woodcraft or Rocklers to look at lathes the majority of the sales people were of little help. The guy that knew about lathes and turning was usually not in. I found other customers far more informative.

Your best bet is to check with a local turning club or woodworking club.

Two things to remember. Free advice is often is worth what you are pay for it. It is only an opinion. Complainers always speak louder and more often than people that are happy.

PS as for the DVR the geek >no, it was a nova 3000. I have heard that nova is coming out with an

I'd love to see that pic.

I started out with a really crappy Grizzly on which I've been turning for 1 1/2 years. I was looking at the Jet Mini when my wife gave me the grizzly (Oh well what was I to do then). The grizzly really crapped out on anything larger than 5 inches. I did do a 9 inch bowl but it took several days because the slightest presure would bog down the lathe.

If you want practice sharpening chisels get a weak lathe.

However, the grizzly provided me with a learning lathe to get a taste. The jet mini would be a good learning lathe. Many never seem to need anything else. Once you decide to move up you should be able to sell the mini someone will buy it. I can only hope that someone will buy my grizzly.

My interest has gone to larger pieces but I needed a lathe that could handle it. I selected the DVR based on my requirments.

Rob McC>actually, it made perfect sense.

i sent it to your email account.

please look for it.

I've seen the Oneways in action etc and I ended up with a Vicmarc VL300 longbed, 24 inch swing, 50 inch between centers. The Oneways are well made but I like cast iron and the Vics are of the same quality as Oneway, just made of cast iron. I made a stand out of plywood (6 sheets of it) and got a 3HP 3 phase motor and controller. Total was just under $3000. Very very smooth, total weight for lathe and stand is around 1300 pounds (+/-). Have only recently finished it. This weekend I'm going to chuck up a 24 inch by 24 inch chunk I've been saving for this. We'll see then how good it really is. Testing so far shows tons of torque, smooth as silk running, and all components work smoothly. Feels solid as a tank. Get whatever one you feel like and have fun!! Just my .02.