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Big Lathe Upgrade Time

3K views 29 replies 17 participants last post by  AndyJ1s 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Ive been collecting and drying wood for years in anticipation to jump from my jet mini up to a big bowl lathe.
Right now I am looking very closely at an oliver model 2018 and the Oneway 1640. I have never used a large lathe and really dont know what to look for and what to run away from when it come to quality and features. Im open to other brands and I think my max budget will be about $4,500. The oliver comes in way under budget and seems to weigh alot more than the one way. Other than that I do not know very much. Can you please share thoughts and opinions? Id also love to hear feedback from users of similar sized lathes using other brands. Its a big purchase for me and these things are so heavy I want to make sure 100% I make a good choice. Thanks!
 
#3 ·
I have the Powermatic 35-20C, am very pleased with the lathe, it's heavy and stable, the head slides anywhere on the bed, the controls for the vfd are on a cable and can be moved where its convenient. and a tail stock swing away att. is available, this is great for hollowing out large bowls.
 
#4 ·
+1 for the Powermatic 3520C … I've had mine for about a year-and-a-half, and couldn't be happier.

I'm pretty sure it will be the last lathe that I ever buy!
 
#5 ·
I went thru the same thing you are going thru now for a few years and finally pulled the trigger last February. My shop is full of manuals I downloaded. Some makes are buying parts from the same factory in China. They seem to work OK, but all had issues I didn't like. For instance, Grizzly had a serious import tariff charge. Baily uses some of the same parts as Grizzly. I made a list of features I wanted such as 220v, variable speed and torque, sliding headstock and tailstock, 3 phase converter, self ejecting tailstock and responsive customer service. My decision was Laguna 1836 and I am very happy with it. Some of the figures you mentioned were twice the price of the Laguna. Good luck. I am sure you will be happy with your choice because it seems like you are being cautious with your decision.
 
#6 ·
I made the move about 10+ years ago to the PowerMatic 3520. It was almost half the price then that it is now.
I can't think of a single thing I would change about it. I have turned items from small pens to 18" bowl with no problem. Oneway and Laguna both make good lathes so it comes to what size and features you want.
Good luck
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
The Powermatic 2020 is cheaper than the 3520c by $800. From what I am reading it is the same lathe on a smaller platform. I really want to turn big bowls, would a heavy outboard stand on the 2020 be more sensible than the 3520c. If Im not mistaken, the outboard stand is an extra accessory for both lathes. Powermatic is becoming a more appealing option now.

Btw are you all moving these things with a shop crane or something?
 
#8 ·
Only one would throw out of the mix is the Oliver. Only reason for that is not the same company that built great woodworking machines once. Just like the rest of the companies listed here are tool importers, but unlike the other no track record for handling problems. Not saying other companies have stellar customer service & support but at least have track records!

Oliver 2018:
https://woodworker.com/oliver-clasic-lathe-2hp-1ph-220v-mssu-175-124.asp

Oneway 1640
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/oneway16401-12hplathe.aspx

Grizzly G0766
https://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G0766-Variable-Speed-Wood-Lathe/dp/B0121UXCYW/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=77928002401361&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=grizzly+g0766&qid=1574373655&sr=8-1#customerReviews

PM 3520C
https://www.amazon.com/Powermatic-1353001-3520C-Lathe-Risers/dp/B077Q9LYQT

PM 2020 if buy this lathe forget about the outboard stand, you can build a better and safer one yourself.
https://www.amazon.com/Powermatic-PM2020-30V-Short-Lathe/dp/B00Q7SE8XY

Outboard stand:
http://www.powermatic.com/us/en/p/outboard-turning-stand-heavy-duty-for-jet-models-3520-3520a-3520b-3520c-4224-and-4224b/6294732

Revo 18/36
https://www.amazon.com/Laguna-Tools-MLAREVO-1836-Lathe/dp/B00YX8162Q
 
#9 ·
I don't know how much the bed extension is, but another 18" coupled onto the 20" bed would give you 3 more inches than the 3520. It would also give you a few more inches in swing, and could still use the banjo. Powermatic is a good lathe. ....... Jerry (in Tucson)
 
#10 ·
The Powermatic 2020 is cheaper than the 3520c by $800. From what I am reading it is the same lathe on a smaller platform. I really want to turn big bowls, would a heavy outboard stand on the 2020 be more sensible than the 3520c. If Im not mistaken, the outboard stand is an extra accessory for both lathes. Powermatic is becoming a more appealing option now.

Btw are you all moving these things with a shop crane or something?

- blueridge
We got the 2020 (and some accessories) for my wife earlier this year during the 10% off/free shipping sale. The 2020 comes in a big box and we moved the parts around on a stool: head stock, bed, and legs. We purchased some 800lbs casters for it, but haven't put them on yet.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
So I own the Jet 16X42 and it has been a fine machine.
However if I was to buy another and budget permitting I would pick the Laguna 24X36.
I have used the 24×36 many times now, and love that lathe.
And with the reduced budget. which is my reality I would go with the grizzly GO766.
While I have not used that lathe, I have several friends that own it. and it has worked very well for them.
I really did not know about Grizzly at the time I purchased my Jet. And so I did not give it the consideration that it should have.

So I have no opinion about Oliver, although looking at it just now it looks like a beast.
I have some limited time using a Oneway lathe, and a PM 2020B. And own a couple Oneway chucks, that I really like.
All the lathes I have time on, other than my Jet.
A PM 2020, Oneway, and the Laguna 24X36. Are the lathes that Jimmy Clewes has in his shop.
Living in the same city as Jimmy has given me the opportunity to turn with him frequently.
And since he added the Laguna. I grab it every time I go there. lol,

So what I like about the Jet, Laguna, Grizzly and PM over the Oneway, and Oliver. Is that the head stock is adjustable, in that it will slide down the bed.
The PM and the Laguna have shorter Beds. The PM 2020B is only 20" between centers. And if all your ever going to do is bowls that will work fine. Now not to rule out PM, they have lathes with longer beds,

But with the longer bed you have the option to do more if you want. ( long tool handles, big vase or even spindle work). And Just last week I did a little hollow form, and had the head stock moved all the way to the end of the bed. way more comfortable standing at the end, than leaning over the bed.
If you look at all these lathes, for the most part the only real difference is the Swing of each model, and paint job of the brand.

So the Laguna features that I like, what makes it different. Is the Drive unit itself. I am tall, and I really like the angled controls right up on top. easy to see and operate. And the drive spindle has the cone shape to it. That has been a really cool feature too. Gives you more room to work. And last, the 24X36 I have used has a second remote control panel. When working at the end of the lathe, sometimes it is nice to not have to reach past you spinning work to adjust or stop the lathe.

Wild wood, great info you got there.

Well, a little long winded read here. Hope it helps.
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey Jerry, think OP talking about outboard turning stand which sells for $500 to $540, versus bed extension selling for $425+change most places.

You definitely right bout that longer thingy!

- Wildwood
I made my own outboard turning stand using a small tire filed with cement, a 1 1/2" pipe with reducer fittings to bring it down to a smaller pipe at the top that accepted the stem of the tool rest. Drilled and threaded a couple of holes in the pipe to use a 1/4X20 star head bolt to lock the tool rest in position. Tire was free, a bag of premix cement, some pipe and fittings; don't recall the cost but it was probably less than $50. I have used this same combination to make a movable stand for my grinder, using a flange to mount a board on top to hold the grinder.
 
#14 ·
I have a Luguana 18-36 and I am pretty happy with it. There are some things I would like to change, but all in all for the price it is unequaled. If I would have had a 4500.00 budget, knowing what I know now, I think I would look at the powermatic 35-20. Maybe the grass is greener on the other side, but I have turned on one multiple tiimes and it seems very nice. The Laguana has a lousy positioning for the speed control and is easy to bump, but I needed wheels and the Powermatic wheels are not well designed in my mind, but if you can sit it down and basically never move it, it is an extremely nice lathe. I also did not have a metal lathe at the time, so I made some adapters for the 5/8 post tools rest with files, they seem to be the right size but worked terrible. The tool rest tightener is really touchy…..in retrospect, get rid of anything that is not a 1" tool post, at least if you have a Laguana.
 
#15 ·
Moke I am confused about your comment on tool posts. Please clarify your last statement. On my Laguna the tool rest tightener requires a strong turn or the tool rest could move. I wonder if other owners experience this. I know Grizzly has an odd diameter tool post and no after market items are available.
 
#16 ·
Mike many folks with grizzly lathes have taken the 25mm (63/64") hole in tool rest base and drilled out to 1".

Think with all info and opinions posted OP has to decide between long or short bed lathe and brand. Guess like most posters in the thread long bed the way to go but not our choice!
 
#18 ·
I have a problem with my Laguna tool rest as well. You do have to crank it down pretty tightly. The Laguna post is tightened by squeezing the post rather than having the screw press against it. The post on the one that comes with the lathe is exactly 1" (+/- .001) by my measurement and it does seem to lock down well enough. I needed a shorter tool rest so I bought a 1" Nova post with interchangeable heads and it is a few thousands (.9945") smaller so you really have to crank it down to prevent it from moving-so much so that I worry that I might strip the threads. I checked with Nova (Teknatool) customer service to ask about the tolerances of their post and their kurt response was that it was within spec and sent me a list of different length posts I could buy. It seems like a 1" post should be closer to 1"? So while technically this could be called a problem with the Nova tool rest, the design of the Laguna banjo requires the post to be exactly 1".

Anyone want to buy a Nova tool rest? LOL
 
#19 ·
Sorry I didn't get back sooner Mike….busy time at work. The factory tool post is .999 when I checked it. And it works well My attempt at making an adapter came in at .968 and .976. Keep in mind that I was making them at that time with the Laguana and metal files. I then put a set screw in to hold the old tool rest. Neither of them work well, I recently bought a metal lathe and made a post that came in at .998 and it works fine, but the diameter of the tool rest gets clogged and needs cleaning more often than I feel it should. Like Lazyman said it squeezes the post together so depending on the diameter of the post it is not as easy to use as some of the others. I find myself needing to raise or lower the rest and fudging on the hold of my tool instead, because it's a hassle. In my mind the answer is buy all new 1" posts and quit trying to "make do"......which I will be doing soon.

I am going to make a magnetic round cover out of some sort of plastic to cover the speed dial Anyone ever tryed
to drill a large bored through an earth magnet?

Make no mistake, it is an awesome lathe. It moves well on it's $500.00 wheels (shameless editorial comment)....and turns anything smoothly and is a joy to use, except for these two items, which I am trying to make work arounds. My suggestion was to look at the 3520C, and not have any work arounds.
 
#20 ·
Sorry I didn t get back sooner Mike….busy time at work. The factory tool post is .999 when I checked it. And it works well My attempt at making an adapter came in at .968 and .976. Keep in mind that I was making them at that time with the Laguana and metal files. I then put a set screw in to hold the old tool rest. Neither of them work well, I recently bought a metal lathe and made a post that came in at .998 and it works fine, but the diameter of the tool rest gets clogged and needs cleaning more often than I feel it should. Like Lazyman said it squeezes the post together so depending on the diameter of the post it is not as easy to use as some of the others. I find myself needing to raise or lower the rest and fudging on the hold of my tool instead, because it s a hassle. In my mind the answer is buy all new 1" posts and quit trying to "make do"......which I will be doing soon.

I am going to make a magnetic round cover out of some sort of plastic to cover the speed dial Anyone ever tryed
to drill a large bored through an earth magnet?

Make no mistake, it is an awesome lathe. It moves well on it s $500.00 wheels (shameless editorial comment)....and turns anything smoothly and is a joy to use, except for these two items, which I am trying to make work arounds. My suggestion was to look at the 3520C, and not have any work arounds.

- moke
Could you just bore out the hole to take standard 1" parts?
 
#21 ·
Ive been reading alot today about the Grizzly G0800, apparently these have some unusually high grade components
Is anyone here turning on one of these? Im kind of hoping a black Friday deal pops up for pm, laguna, grizzly, oneway. If anyone spots a deal with a distributor please let me know!
 
#23 ·
BTW, I found a klugey workaround for the Nova tool rest in the Laguna banjo I mentioned above. I first simply tried wrapping a peel and stick paper mailing label as a shim-fully wrapped and then only half way around and the paper was too thick to get the post into the banjo. I noticed that the peel off backing was much thinner (.0025 vs. .008) so I simply slid that in (only on one side of the post) as I was inserting the post and it locks down well enough that I don't feel like I am risking stripping the locking bolt. Yeah, it is sort of a pain but it will work when I need to use that tool rest. It would be better if I could figure out a way to permanently attach some shim stock to get the extra .002-.004" but it seems like it will work until I find another tool rest that works or a better workaround.

Not a great design where needs a .002-.004" tolerance.
 
#26 ·
I have to say this is extremely tempting right now..

https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/216/6354/powermatic-PM2020-Lathe

- blueridge
So wait till Friday, and check home depot's web site.
So prices on these big tools are controlled, and you will notice everyone has the same 10% sale at the same time. So it typically makes no difference where you buy. Price it the same.
https://www.homedepot.com/s/powermatic%2520lathe?searchtype=text&NCNI-5
Last year my Christmas present to myself was a jet jdp-17" drill press.
I knew about the 15% sale. And was sitting in the parking lot of my local woodworker
tool store waiting for them to open.
Thought by mistake they were opening early that day. So one last look at the internet options for that drill press.
And it pops up on home depot of all places for something like $650. And free delivery to my local store. I do remember
It came to $729 with tax. And was going to cost $900+ everywhere else.
So jet had a 15% off. and they dothat most every black friday. But Home Depot site had it advertised at that moment with a 28% off sale.
I don't know why or how, but I got it. Now I wonder if the do something like this more often.
 
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