I used a shopsmith as well. I can tell you that the belt changes would be a small price to pay. At least for me. I had to use a allen key to move my tool rest and banjo. It was quite the operation to make small changes. I now have a Laguna 1524. It is sooo much better obviously.
We have a black Friday sale at local handy man store. They have one of these for 43% off normal selling price. 11 sold in one day. I'm hopefully picking up the last one for myself tomorrow. It will be my first wood lathe ever - I've never even turned wood before...but it looks like an awesome hobby. Started woodwork about 4 months ago and I've found myself down a rabbit hole 🕳 😳
Thanks for the information sir. It was very informative. I have an older Craftsman lathe and it has done well for me. I am looking around for a newer one with variable speeds. Like you, I have to balance performance with budget. Thank you sir and may God bless you and your family.
I have had mine for about 11/2 years ! I have add a bed extension on it! I was taking the tail stock on and off ! I had an old craftsman! I just ordered a hand wheel.
Hello sir. Thank you for posting this. I Just came across your video. I have been turning on a shopsmith for a while now and as much as I love the SS, I only use it as a lathe. I've been shopping for an upgrade for almost a year and I keep coming back to this one. The biggest issue I have with the SS is the vibration from out of balance work. Does the nova handle these issues better than the SS?
Yes I am very satisfied with the nova 1624-44. I believe the big difference is the DVR. On the galaxy. I looked into the updated an it was close to a thousand dollars. Way outside my budget. Changing belts can be bothersome but not a deal breaker for me. Hope this helps. Have a blessed day.
I honestly think it’s a great machine, however I got tired of constantly changing the belt. I tried to find the upgrade for variable speed but it was going to be several months. Long story short I bought a new lathe with the variable speed. I sold the Nova and it is still going and the guy is well pleased with it.
@@vinsavmom thank you. Appreciate the response. This machine has just about everything I’m looking for, but the Galaxi does have it all. Too expensive though, but was hoping the motor upgrade would be an option down the road.
I owned the series 1 of the 16-24. While a good lathe I didn't think it was a great lathe. The spindle pulley would rub against the pulley cover and make a horrid noise. I'd have to continuously loosen the grub screw and knock it back into place. I fact it got that bad the retailer replaced the entire head of the lathe. It was a very noisy lathe due to the pulley. It wasn't accurate and I sold it and purchased a Vicmarc VL 150. I hope they have ironed out some of the issues in the current model. Good luck with your turning.
Let’s say your wanted to swing the head at 22.5 or even 45 deg to do a bowl in the 14 to 16 inch range would you use the banjo or would you need the optional outrigger attachment? Thanks
Mark Maurer I agree. I knew if I purchased a lathe it was going to have to balance performance and budget. I felt like the 1624 was the best fit for me. I wish you good luck in your search for a lathe. Have fun and stay safe.
Depending on how out of balance the blank is. I had a 15” ash blank that was way out and it gave me fits. Care must be taken when preparing your blank. Have a blessed day!
I just purchased a new but previously owned 1624 recently. I'm having some challenges changing the belt. It appears that the cam only travels about 1/2" which doesn't give much slack, and not enough to easily move the belt - nearly impossible. I'm not sure if I've put something together wrong or not. Has anyone else had this problem? Also, thanks for the heads up on the handwheel. I keep reaching for one and it isn't there. I'm surprised its an option. Know where I can get on?
On my lathe I have no problem changing the belt. I would read over the assembly manual to see if it is assembled properly. I purchased my hand wheel on Amazon. Good luck. Happy turning.
Hello there Mr Scott from across the pond in South Africa One major Q that's worrying me How Rigid and Accurate is the Tailstock on these Lathes ??? I need drill most Pen Blanks without compromising ACCURACY Do kindly let us know TIA ATB TC aRM
To be honest the tailstock is sloppy on the bed of the lathe. The height is dead on but side to side is sloppy. I plan on taking it to the machine shop that I worked at and making shims for it. Hopefully this will help you out. Good luck! Big Dee
Yes I have the lathe bolted to the floor. Because the feet are adjustable there is still a little shaking turning out of balance projects. It does prevent the lathe from walking across the floor. I hope this helps you. Thanks for watching. Have a blessed day.
Awesome video, looking at buying one of these, your break down helped greatly :)
Good review .. I love mine . I got that great price also . I bought the outrigger with mine . Worth every penny
I used a shopsmith as well. I can tell you that the belt changes would be a small price to pay. At least for me. I had to use a allen key to move my tool rest and banjo. It was quite the operation to make small changes. I now have a Laguna 1524. It is sooo much better obviously.
We have a black Friday sale at local handy man store. They have one of these for 43% off normal selling price. 11 sold in one day. I'm hopefully picking up the last one for myself tomorrow. It will be my first wood lathe ever - I've never even turned wood before...but it looks like an awesome hobby. Started woodwork about 4 months ago and I've found myself down a rabbit hole 🕳 😳
Thanks for the information sir. It was very informative. I have an older Craftsman lathe and it has done well for me. I am looking around for a newer one with variable speeds. Like you, I have to balance performance with budget. Thank you sir and may God bless you and your family.
Thanks for your video. I'm looking at the Nova 1624 as an upgrade from my 12" Rikon. The only thing I thing I think I will miss is the variable speed.
I have had mine for about 11/2 years ! I have add a bed extension on it! I was taking the tail stock on and off ! I had an old craftsman! I just ordered a hand wheel.
I hop you have great luck with it and years of enjoyment.
Hello sir. Thank you for posting this. I Just came across your video. I have been turning on a shopsmith for a while now and as much as I love the SS, I only use it as a lathe. I've been shopping for an upgrade for almost a year and I keep coming back to this one. The biggest issue I have with the SS is the vibration from out of balance work. Does the nova handle these issues better than the SS?
Yes it does. I am now able to turn bowls up to 12” from out of balance blanks with no problems.
Do you still have this lathe and still love it? I am looking at the new Galxi DVR and wonder if its the lathe for me.
Yes, I still have the lathe. I still enjoy having it. I just recently turned a 14 in. Soft maple bowl and it performed perfectly.
Do you still have this lathe and love it? How is the motor different for the Galaxi. I see DVR upgrades for this/
Yes I am very satisfied with the nova 1624-44. I believe the big difference is the DVR. On the galaxy. I looked into the updated an it was close to a thousand dollars. Way outside my budget. Changing belts can be bothersome but not a deal breaker for me. Hope this helps. Have a blessed day.
Two years later, would you still recommend this model?
Have you made any changes or additions to the machine?
I honestly think it’s a great machine, however I got tired of constantly changing the belt. I tried to find the upgrade for variable speed but it was going to be several months. Long story short I bought a new lathe with the variable speed. I sold the Nova and it is still going and the guy is well pleased with it.
@@vinsavmom thank you. Appreciate the response.
This machine has just about everything I’m looking for, but the Galaxi does have it all.
Too expensive though, but was hoping the motor upgrade would be an option down the road.
I owned the series 1 of the 16-24. While a good lathe I didn't think it was a great lathe. The spindle pulley would rub against the pulley cover and make a horrid noise. I'd have to continuously loosen the grub screw and knock it back into place. I fact it got that bad the retailer replaced the entire head of the lathe. It was a very noisy lathe due to the pulley. It wasn't accurate and I sold it and purchased a Vicmarc VL 150. I hope they have ironed out some of the issues in the current model. Good luck with your turning.
Let’s say your wanted to swing the head at 22.5 or even 45 deg to do a bowl in the 14 to 16 inch range would you use the banjo or would you need the optional outrigger attachment?
Thanks
Mark Maurer you could easily hollow the inside of the bowl in either the 22.5 or 45 setting with the banjo.
D. Scott thanks for the feed back deciding on the right lathe is a hard thing to do.
Mark Maurer I agree. I knew if I purchased a lathe it was going to have to balance performance and budget. I felt like the 1624 was the best fit for me. I wish you good luck in your search for a lathe. Have fun and stay safe.
The-Man-Who-Chortles it was on sale at Walmart.com
The-Man-Who-Chortles I just happened to look I the right time.
Where did you find one for that great price? I’ve been looking for sales with this bad economy but not much has dropped yet.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. This helps so much. I think it's time to pull the trigger on the 1624. Stay safe and have a great day sir.
Thanks for the review. How stable is it when rough turning large bowl blanks?
Depending on how out of balance the blank is. I had a 15” ash blank that was way out and it gave me fits. Care must be taken when preparing your blank. Have a blessed day!
Good 👍👍
I just purchased a new but previously owned 1624 recently. I'm having some challenges changing the belt. It appears that the cam only travels about 1/2" which doesn't give much slack, and not enough to easily move the belt - nearly impossible. I'm not sure if I've put something together wrong or not. Has anyone else had this problem? Also, thanks for the heads up on the handwheel. I keep reaching for one and it isn't there. I'm surprised its an option. Know where I can get on?
On my lathe I have no problem changing the belt. I would read over the assembly manual to see if it is assembled properly. I purchased my hand wheel on Amazon. Good luck. Happy turning.
Hello there Mr Scott from across the pond in South Africa
One major Q that's worrying me
How Rigid and Accurate is the Tailstock on these Lathes ???
I need drill most Pen Blanks without compromising ACCURACY
Do kindly let us know
TIA
ATB
TC
aRM
To be honest the tailstock is sloppy on the bed of the lathe. The height is dead on but side to side is sloppy. I plan on taking it to the machine shop that I worked at and making shims for it. Hopefully this will help you out. Good luck!
Big Dee
I wish i could find one for 750$
Do you screw the lathe down to the floor?
Yes I have the lathe bolted to the floor. Because the feet are adjustable there is still a little shaking turning out of balance projects. It does prevent the lathe from walking across the floor. I hope this helps you. Thanks for watching. Have a blessed day.