Replies

1. 
   kennedy136 | Feb 27, 2003 06:05am | #1

   Rockiness,

            You won't go wrong with any of them.  That said I would probably go with the Jet as it is similar to the delta but has the end of the base drilled for a bed extension.  I have the Delta myself and am very pleased with it but if I had it to do over would buy the Jet for the above reason.  It was not available when I bought the Delta or I would have gone that route at the time.  Jet is hard to beat for the money.

                                                              Mark

2. 
   Trees2dust | Feb 27, 2003 11:28pm | #2

   Rockiness,

   I would go with the Powermatic 3520A.  I have seen the PM, Jet and Delta, but not the General.  I ordered the PM and am still waiting for delivery (backordered till March).  Here's what I looked for before deciding on the PM, in the following order:

   1. Is it heavy duty? Min spindle size 1 1/4"; bed is thick and wide; tailstock and banjo are heavy duty; how much does it weigh?

   2. Is the design of the spindle drive sound?  By this I mean that the spindle should be supported on both ends with large bearings, with the drive pulley in between.  Compare this with the design of the Nova 3k for example, where the spindle is supported by bearings close together.  Another sound design is direct drive.

   3. Does it have adjustable headstock features, such as a sliding and/or swiveling headstock, without sacrificing criteria #2?

   4. Is the swing adequate? Min 20"; 24" would be nice. 

   5. It MUST have variable speed.

   6. Is the price competitive? Include tax and shipping.

   Additional notes:  In 1) adding weight to the base of the lathe isn't the same.  You want the weight to be close to the headstock to be effective.  In 4), you don't have to turn a 24" bowl to take advantage of the large swing.  The large swing keeps the bed from getting in the way of you or your tool handle.

   I haven't seen the General, but the Jet and Delta can't touch the PM in criteria 1, 4 and 6, and maybe others ( I saw them briefly at the local dealer but didn't consider them seriously, since I considered them to be in the same league as my current lathe, a Nova 3k variable speed). 

   You can get the PM for about $2350, including delivery to your shop.  I ordered mine from Joe Osolnik at http://www.osolnikmachinery.com.  Also try the Woodcentral turning discussion for more opinions, or better yet, see your local turning club for a hands-on trial (that's what I did).

   Rick

1. 
   Rockiness | Feb 27, 2003 11:46pm | #3

   Thank you! Is the HP of the motor at all in consideration???

1. 
   Trees2dust | Feb 28, 2003 02:21am | #4

   Yes, of course.  I figured that any lathe in this category would have adequate power.  My current lathe has 1 1/2hp, and I find it to be adequate even with the lathe maxed out with a 16" bowl blank. 

   HP ratings don't always relate to actual power at the spindle anyway.  More important than hp rating is the method of variable speed.  I stay away from mechanical variable speed, mainly because I have no experience with them, and also because they have a limited speed range.  My current lathe is a DC variable speed, and it works fine.  The newer lathes use AC variable speed.  Advantages for the user are quieter operation compared to the typical SCR type DC controller, less maintainance (no motor brushes) and depending on the controller model, various programmable options such as ramp-up/ramp-down rates.  Fun picking out a new toy, isn't it?

   Rick

1. 
   Rockiness | Feb 28, 2003 03:02pm | #5

   Thanks- the General's standard motor is 3/4 w/ option of 1 - think that's kinda underpowered?

1. 
   Andrew | Feb 28, 2003 08:32pm | #6

   Hp requirements depend on what your doing. I have an old general 160 (2 actually) and am very happy with it. I have a 1 hp motor and it is more than enough, but I don't turn large bowls. However, 1 hp is more than enough to turn almost anything within that lathes capacity. The general 160 isn't really in the same class as the powermatic though. However, the general 260 is comparable as it has a 20" swing and is heavier than the 160.

   If you want to turn bowls I would choose between the powermatic or the 260, however, if your looking to turn more spindles and smaller work the 160 is a very nice machine.