Replies

1. 
   PlaneWood | Nov 05, 2003 07:11am | #1

   Get it, you'll enjoy it!

   I have the Delta midi lathe and it's been fine for what I do.  I did make one modification.  The tool rest holder had to be slid all the way to the end in order to take it off the lathe.  With the bed extension on, that became a hassle for me.  So, i ground down opposite sides of the 1/4" circular washer underneath so that after disengaging the holder, I could lift it straight up and off.  Due to the nature of what I'm doing, that is one big advantage.  I've also added a manual duplicator of my own creation.

   But, like a hand plane, it's sometimes just pure-d fun to put something on the lathe and make shavings!

   oh yeah, rig up a good DC or get a big broom and garbage can!

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

2. 
   gpwest | Nov 05, 2003 08:47am | #2

   Ron,

      I've had a Nova 3000 for 2 years now: if you enjoy it half as much as I do mine you'll be in lathe heaven.  These are not the biggest lathes around but they are among the most versatile. Also, Woodcraft is a good company to deal with. I bought a Nova chuck for my lathe last Christmas; it arrived with some chipped threads on the center screw. Woodcraft sent me a new one just from my one E mail.

     From your post, I assume you are getting the standard 1 hp lathe with 8 speeds, not the DVR model which costs around $1800.  My lathe came out before the new DVR model, and it is the one with the 1 1/2 HP Leeson motor, electronic variable speed; I think it was around $1300.   I would buy it again in a heartbeat.  Turning on the lathe takes a lot of concentration, and it's great not to have to shut the motor off to change speeds.   Hope you enjoy your new tool, I know you will.    GP

3. 
   LEIFBENDEKE | Nov 13, 2003 06:56pm | #3

   Ron

   I i had the Nova for a while  , but turned it back in favor of the jet 14-42 .

   jet was more stable , and better for the money .

   the thing i did not like about the nova was the time delay whenever you turned it on , or whenever changing speeds .  its a dacent lathe , but i like the jet better

   leif

4. 
   fdampier5 | Nov 14, 2003 03:55am | #4

   Ron,

     I know this sounds wacko, but have you checked out Sears?  No not that flimsy tube thingy that really shouldn't be called a lathe, but the 2 hp variable speed lathe?  It's got a solid cast iron bed, the head pivots for bowl turning and all of the goodies..

   On sale I got mine under $500.  and with the ten percent discount if you open a credit account (which I did but never used)  and They gave me $80 off since it was a floor model..  I think it wound up being a shade over $400. 

       It's sweet being able to change the speed by adjusting the dial rather than moving a belt.  They wanted to sell me a stand but I can build a really heavy solid one for a lot less than what they wanted for the stand, so I passed.  I also passed on the "chisel set"  and bought some decent chisels from Rocklers.

     I've used it for a ton of stuff, right now I've got a Vega duplicator on mine for the spindles I'm making but there are lots of other gadgets to buy.