Best Lathe for You? - Your Ultimate Wood Lathe
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- Опубликовано: 19 янв 2023
- This video is about selecting your ultimate lathe. I have targeted this video to you woodturners who have been turning a while. Long enough to know you love WT and perhaps you have outgrown your existing lathe.
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You can download demonstration handouts, downloadable copies of articles I have published, and other useful woodturning information available on my website www.mikepeacewoodturning.com/ 
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Thanks Mike
Great presentation Mike. Thanks a lot.
Very welcome
Thanks, Mike! lots of questions answered.
Any time!
Thanks for all the great tips.
You bet!
Thank you for this great advice.
You are so welcome!
Hi, I've been turned on a second hand record power dml36sh for about 4 years. Started to out grow it and wanted to turn larger bowls and platters. I've just taken delivery of my ultimate lathe, a record power coronet envoy. Also bought the outrigger and bed extension, what a world of difference a large cast iron lathe makes. Absolutely love it. Thanks for your great video's
Enjoy the Envoy! I got one a year ago and really love it. It gets up to speed a bit slower than I’d like, but that’s the only feature I don’t love. It’s really wonderful. I like the advice in the video: get the best you can afford.
Nice video. You are correct, once again you get what you pay for. My Laguna 1216 is a great lathe except for the lousy tailstock quill lead screw that bends at the handle end needs regular bending and cleaning to work well. Videos like this save people from making mistakes buying the wrong lather. Thanks.
Sorry to hear about your tailstock woes. I am surprised that you could put enough strain on the screw to bend it. 😬😬
Two years ago, I bought an ancient Rockwell Delta for $200 from a high school that was upgrading its shop tools. It could have been the brother the same lathe I learned on in shop in 1957. It served long enough for me to figure out what I wanted to turn. I considered remaining years, space in the shop, and budget. I bought the lathe you're leaning on in the beginning of this video with the bed extension and sold my old one to another retiree who was thinking of getting started in turning.
Sounds like it served its purpose. I think the Laguna 1216 is a nice little lathe. Wish it had a 5 year warranty like most others. Always a concern about the electronices failing after two years. I did have to replace the variable speed controller within warranty.
Outstanding presentation Mike! Years ago, I did some turning on a Shopsmith. When I retired, I bought a TurnCrafter to see if I really wanted to get into turning. That's my buffing machine now. I have a 12", a 16" and a 24" in my shop now and do use all 4 of them. I consider my 4224 as my ultimate lathe but would trump that if I could justify a Robust!
You covered all the bases for anyone in the market for a new/used machine! Thank you!
Take care, Dave
Thanks for sharing, David. With 4 lathes, sounds like you have it covered.
Another great tips video!
I think it's good to start with a used but reputable brand lathe and upgrade once you decide that turning is your thing.
I started turning on a used Jet 1014, too. Sold it two years later for what I paid for it, and upgraded to a Jet 1221 from the local WoodCraft store; they were selling their class lathes at a good discount (they do so every year or so), plus I got a full warranty from the date I purchased it. Eventually I'll upgrade again once I get enough room in my shop and my budget. Not sure what my "ultimate lathe" will be (maybe PM or a Record Power), but I've saved this video for when that time comes.
Hope to see you at the 2023 TAW 34th Woodturning Symposium.
Thanks for sharing. I won't be able to make it to the TAW symposium.
Love this video brother. I'm glad i came across in my research for the upgrade I'm looking to do. Hail from Vancouver bc! Cheers
Glad I could help
Thanks!
You bet!
Mike, I upgraded several years ago and searched all the various make of full sized lathes. I had list of had to haves and like to have features. The list reduced to the Oneway, Powermatic and Robust. The Robust won, even though it didn’t have a speed readout (that I haven’t missed at all). The main fact that is was made in the US along with using parts made in the US as much as possible. I had decided to save up and buy the best I could so I wouldn’t have to buy another, then another in steps to reach my goal. Thanks for a great video for someone looking to upgrade. Cheers, Tom
I know it makes you smile everytime you turn!
"Buy Once, Cry Once". You made me laugh out loud!!!!!!! This is one of the best overall videos on making that decision about a lathe I have seen! I got my Powermatic 2020 2 years ago when my Rikon did a dance across the shop with an out of balance piece of wood. I got the Powermatic for a lot of the features you have pointed out, and never had any regrets.
Glad you enjoyed it! A big PPM is a joy to turn on.
Mike, while all of your videos are good, I think this is the best to date. Thanks for the research you put into this and the presentation.
Wow, thanks!
Thanks, a very good video. About five years ago I bought a new General International midi lathe. It was a great lathe with some good features like a one inch tool rest post. It ran good for over a year and then it just quit. The motor controller was bad and I screwed around with General International for over six months and then decided that they were basically never going to get a controller for me. I bought a new Jet 1221 with a warranty and it has worked well.
My point is that any brand that sells lathes (especially made overseas) can have parts issues. I had a chance to buy a larger used Nova with their special variable speed, but declined due to possible issues. Online I eventually found a motor controller that worked with the General International lathe, and it is a toss up on whether I use it or the Jet.
thanks again for your videos
Glad you were finally able to get your General up and running. Not commonly found in the USA.
I just bought a Powermatic 3520C. I would have preferred to buy USA but just could not justify the extra $$$. Good review Mike. I think you covered all the important points. There is no best lathe for everyone. There might not even be a best lathe for any individual. I have already thought of things I might do differently. I think I can live with what I got. Thank you for sharing. Have a great 2023 and stay safe.🙂🙂
I know you will enjoy turning in your new shop.
Great video and information Mike.
A lathe you can look at for disabled woodturner in a wheel chair, is the Oneway 1236SD, which lets the bed swing down to allow wheel chair turner to use the lathe.
Take care my friend
Cheers
Harold
Thanks for sharing, my friend. Good to have options.
Great info, Mike. You might add “reverse” and set screw band to the list of desirable features. Pretty standard now, but still something to remember to check for (even on high quality used lathes). I started with a pen lathe, took a class and immediately upgraded to the Jet 12-21. Then I traded excess wood to add a 16” lathe that came with it’s needed repair parts. Fixed it, then upgraded to a used 16” demo lathe from our club, and sold that repaired lathe to another club member. Now I finally have my hands on one of the used lathes that I identified as a good fit for me, purchased from a club member whose health had declined. I may still get a different lathe down the road, but for now I feel I have finally acquired my two “keeper” lathes. Then again……..🤪🤣😵💫
Thanks for sharing Valerie. Yes, I will add that to my notes about reverse. I guess I assumed wrongly that all spindles have an unthreaded portion nearest the HS. Sometimes, a journey thru multiple lathes, can be part of the fun. Stay safe.
Lot's of good advice. My first 'ultimate lathe' was a Woodfast (made in Australia, not one of those made by Rikon) with a 16" swing. After more than 15 years, I finally replaced it with a Powermatic 3520C. The issue wasn't the swing. Mine was a short bed lathe, which is great for bowl turning, but not for turning longer spindles or deep hollow forms. The Woodfast served me well, but I much prefer my 3520!
Yes, the PM3520c is a nice lathe.
@@MikePeaceWoodturning no Mike. The 3520C is a great lathe. I love mine
Wonderful information fine sir.
So nice of you
One suggestion. If someone is considering buying a used lathe, have an experienced wood turner go check out the lathe with you.
Great tip!
@@MikePeaceWoodturning , Rikon has a lathe with many nice desirable features. The model is the 70-1824. The 220v model has
2 1/2 horsepower, with a rotating headstock. It seems like a good lathe, and Rikon seems to very good in fit and finish. Their customer service gets great reviews from tool owners.
Do you think this is a quality lathe?
It just went on sale for $2399 from $2999 thru ACME.
What are your thoughts on the lathe, and Rikon tools in general?
Hopefully you will answer.
I enjoy your videos.
@@davidgraham2673 Still selling a $2399 at Woodcraft. I am not familiar with this particular model. Never saw a big lathe like that with a DC motor. Better 5yr warranty than the Laguna 2 yr.
I'm just getting back into wood turning after 25 plus years. My last lathe was a 1941 walker-turner, unfortunately it was stolen from my new shop. After a lot of research I went with the Harvey T60s. So far I'm very happy with it. It's eerily quiet and the servo motor produces plenty of power. The fit-and-finish are more than adequate, most of the sharp edges hook them removed. The massive tailstock swings away if you want to move the headstock up for outboard turning or just get it out of their way so you're not bashing your elbow into a live Center LOL. The speaker control is nice. You cannot slow it down without doing something really egregious. Overall I'm very happy with it.
The specs look great but have never seen or turned on a Harvey.
@@MikePeaceWoodturning I think they're just starting to gain traction. They've done well at a few shows from what I understand. It really is a nice machine. They broke away from Laguna and grizzly 3 or 4 years ago and started Manufacturing in a different plant.
Lucked into a General 260-20 several years ago. Seller include about a dozen Sorby tools, stronghold chuck with extra jaws, face plates, 3 sizes of tool rests, inside and outside calipers, Jacobs chucks, and a 5 foot bed extension! Have not used that yet. Beall buffing system and a few other things I can't recall. Drum roll--$2000 for all.
A used quality lathe with lots of accessories can be a real deal.
I bought a second or third hand craftsman 351.21717 that served me fine for about 6 months. I'm getting my old Rockwell fit with a banjo so i can work while I'm waiting to buy a laguna 18/36 with 2hp and some other stuff.
Sounds like a plan.
@@MikePeaceWoodturning it certainly is. But I'm on to what you said about economics and how much I really need it versus how nice it would be to have. I'm going to swing for it when I've got my tax return. I'm going to have to play my hand pretty tight but I'm making it a goal.
Hi Mike
First time comment to your channel.
Really enjoy your videos very interesting,informative,regards to lathes,I inherited my father in laws small lathe and used it for a couple of years before finding it limited my turning to small bowls etc.next came a home made device of a car wheel brake drum attached to electric motor complete with exposed drive belt (no health and safety back then)just common sense!
Time to upgrade I bought a new Nova 1500 (nz1700.00) I think in those days (1982) they were a New Zealand made product and a 4inch teknatool chuck, I would love to have a variable speed feature but now in my 80s it’s really no big deal to change the pulleys to adjust the speed.only thing I changed was to change the motor to 2 hp as it had the ability (with a bit of diy) to run in reverse .I’ve turned on that lathe for 40 odd years haven’t replaced anything and it’s still running like the day I bought it.
It’s also one of my best friends.
Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge
Regards from NZ
Thanks for taking the time to share, Mal. If it meets your needs, sounds like you have your ultimate machine. I am encouraged to hear from folks still turning in their 80's still turning although I am not in a hurry to get there 😅
You didn't mention indexing. The PM3520C has indexing. I may never use it, but it might be a consideration for some.
Yes, the electronic indexing is awesome.
Mike Peace, I would like to see you review the Record Power Coronet Herald! Compare this to other Midi Lathes.
I did a review several years ago. Do a search on my channel.
👏
Mike, my Laguna 16/36 has a measurement scale
on the tailstock quill. Otherwise, nice vid.
Thanks for sharing.
You covered a lot of good information in this video sam
Can the quill on the 3520B be upgraded to the acme thread design?
That would be a question for their tech support. I do not know but guess not.
Thanks .. Why is it so hard to find or convert a good pool cue lathe.. Which kind of headstocks do they use that allows the wood to pass through the headstock?
You got me. I never heard of a secial pool cue lathe. Sounds like a custom item.
@@MikePeaceWoodturningyeah I've seen these passthrough chucks but it would also require the piece to pass completely through the spindle. I think maybe like on Taig lathes but most taig's I've seen are small. In my adventures I've recently discovered the beauty in a strong and balanced center rest or what ever they're called for support when working with something long and narrow.. Thanks for the reply!
i have a Jet 1840 DVR lathe. what is your thoughts on this lathe
I have never turned on one. Jet seems to make pretty good lathes.
I bought my Powermatic 3520b about 12 years ago and was shocked at the horrible finish of the castings, then I saw the crate said “Made in China”. That was a huge disappointment. I just bought a Milwaukee router from Home Depot and that also was “Made in China”. There’s a lot of folks out there that country of origin is important. Thanks!
Actually the PM is made in Taiwan.
When you get down to the nitty-gritty, the info us rookies don't know due to lack of experience, you say I'm not going to name names when it comes to a lathes shortcomings. Or what to look for and which manufacturers cut corners. This is really the most important information for me to know.
I bought a used Grizzly, 10x16, model go657. Of course there was no manufacturers manual, so I'm struggling to learn as I turn. I want to lower the belt and pulley range for more torque and its a mystery. Dismantling this lathe to change range is worrisome at best. Doing research and watching videos usually only point out the attractive features built into each lathe. I need to know the bad along with the good. Which lathes or features are likely to cause regret down the road. Looks like the mid size range is around $1000. To me, at 83 and on a fixed income, that is a significant chunk of change. I dont want to make a mistake. I've had this one since Dec. of 2022, less than 2 months, and have turned a few candle sticks, some light pulls, a vase and about a dozen bowls from scrap wood, firewood or my own glue ups. And I'm ready to move up. I won't consider anything in the large class, simply because I can't afford the cost and I don't really want to turn a 16x16 root ball since my biggest bowl so far is 8".
Don't want to make a purchase that I'll regret in a month or 2.
Knowing the bad along with the good is an advantage. I realize that you can't bad mouth any lathe, but you could point out things to be aware of and to be cautious of when moving up. I stopped your video in the middle to comment so I'll be really embarrassed if I jumped the gun and you do cover all of this later in the video.
Thanks
I guess if it was not worth watching all of the way thru it was not much value to you. Sorry for that. Did you try to find your manual on the Grizzly website? If not did you call Grizzly?
I did watch it complete but will have to watch again bc my memory isn't thenest and I watch about 10 a day so its all a jumble sometimes. I'll try to find it so I can review. BTW. I got the lathe into low range and that solved most of my problems. Actually, it was easy. Stressed out over nothing,, as usual. A new lathe is now on the back burner. Thanks for taking the time to reply to my whiny ass.