Mid-Range Lathe

[rhull]

I've been thinking that I might like to upgrade my (full-sized) lathe to something a bit beefier.

The Powermatic 3520 is a NICE looking lathe, but $3000 is too high end for a mere hobbyist like me.

I'm using the HF lathe that I got for...whatever it cost me...$200 or so.

I do bowls, I do spindles (pens and such, occasional larger round things for flat projects).

What's out there as a good mid-range priced lathe? I'm thinking in the $500-$1000 range. Anything? I would want something that would be worth the money for the upgrade features.

I'd have to save up for this, whatever it is, so I'm a ways off from any potential purchase...

[TDHofstetter]

Grizzly sells a pretty decent 14" lathe for just under a grand:

grizzlytools.com/products/Heavy-Duty-Wood-Lathe/G1495

Just OVER a grand if you include shipping.

Nothing in CraigsList in your part of Maine?

[rhull]

Feb 11, 2010 22:08:00 GMT -6 TDHofstetter said:

Nothing in CraigsList in your part of Maine?

Rarely. I check from time to time (both Maine and New Hampshire) and am always disappointed at how few woodworking things there are.

[TDHofstetter]

Want me to look around here? I c'n check Mass & NY, too - they're kinda' within my range.

There's also the Nova 1624-44 ($1200), the Jet 2442VSK ($1250). There just don't seem to be very many lathes right in that price range of $500-$1000, though.

[Ruffnek]

Rob,

For the price range you specified, $500 - $100, you are only going to get a slightly upgraded model of the lathe you have now if you buy new. It will likely be a Reeves drive with minimum speed in the 450 rpm range.

The next step up from the 1236 or the HF equivalent is the Jet 1642. It goes for around $1650 at Amazon for the 1 1/2 hp version. It has EVS - Electronic Variable Speed, so that you can go from nothing to 3000 rpm.

I, too, was eyeing the PM 3520B for a long time but have been looking hard at the Jet 1642 since Marc got his. The 16" of swing is huge for a bowl and big enough to turn cowboy hats, which I want to try someday. In addition, the headstock traverses along the ways, allowing outboard turning off the end of the lathe.

The $1650 is a lot but it buys a lot of lathe.

[rhull]

In reply to Tim, I've seen the Grizzly model, but it doesn't seem to be a big-buy model. For popular Grizzly machines where one can find a lot of feedback, I'm relatively comfortable spending some money. But for rarer ones that are pricey, it makes me more hesitant. I know some people have had bad luck with Grizzly machines (e.g. Cody + sander, IIRC).

Maybe I'll take another look at the Jet 1642 at my local Rockler/Woodcraft. They're probably priced about the same, but they do run promotional sales sometimes...

In the meantime, I guess I'll keep saving, and watching Craigslist.

There just don't seem to be very many lathes right in that price range of $500-$1000, though.

That's what I was finding too...and the reason I asked the question.

[scottd]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000789HF/ref=s9_simh_gw_p60_t4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1ED08XCXGB75NYJ0KH6G&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

I was at Rockler this weekend and was looking at the Jet 1442 ($1200 there). Its a well built machine and is available without the leg kit. Still more than your given price range but closer.

Scott