Replies

1. 
   Jellyrug | Dec 10, 2004 03:34am | #1

   Andy,

   I did a lot of research and came to the conclusion that the Jet 1442 was my favorite. The only negative was the position of the motor, which in my view is not the best place.

   So, I went ahead and ordered one through International Tool, with a promised delivery of two weeks. In the mean time, I had some urgent jobs piling up.

   After two weeks, I phoned to follow up and was put throug to Jet, telling me I had to wait another month, as they were out of stock of the base. This was a Wednesday morning, I cancelled my order, called Grizzly and ordered their G1495 Heavy duty lathe. It was delivered from Washington, to my doorstep in California, two days later.

   I do a lot of lathe work and cannot fault this machine nine months later, for the class it is within.

   If I had to do this again however, I would take the pain in my wallet and buy something much bigger, $2000 - $3000. If you do a lot of lathe work, including turning green wood, something real heavy is just so much better. My Grizzly is far too light, from the toolrests to the bed and the frame. No problems with power, but chatter on the toolrests and transmission of vibration, if you swing a large piece of wood which is not well balanced. The Jet has a better frame, which will improve things, but it's still far from a true heavy duty lathe.

    

1. 
   termites | Dec 10, 2004 04:44am | #2

   I have a HUGE problem with chatter on my machine and have talked about this on this forum.   Is it safe to assume that a better, heavier machine will greatly reduce or eliminate my chatter problem?  Let's also assume it is not technique or tool sharpness that causes the problem.

   My question may seem obvious but my lathe experience is limited to my own equipment nor do I have easy access to another machine. 

1. 
   Jellyrug | Dec 10, 2004 06:03am | #3

   Chatter is caused by flexing of the structure you are working within.

   Could be a few causes, including your work piece being turned. You need to try and figure out where you are getting deflection, it can be the centers deflecting over the bed, the bed structure itself, or something as simple as the toolrest. Obviously blunt tools will magnify the situation.

   With a big heavy lathe, the bed, centers, as well as toolrests are of much heavier construction, eliminating the flexing in the machine.

   My Grizz normally does a good job under normal conditions, but at the moment I'm working with some Almond wood, which is real hard and heavy. No problem in the center of the toolrest, but when I get to the end of the toolrest the rest itself starts deflecting and the chatter starts. I have to manage this by keeping my tools real sharp and taking small cuts.

    

2. 
   walnutjerry | Dec 10, 2004 06:10am | #4

   Andy, Jellyrug made a good point in the weight of the lathe. If money is not a real problem then look seriously at the Powermatic 3520 or the next size up. The 3520 weighs over 700 pounds and lots of other good features--variable speed, reversing rotation, head will move all the way to the tailstock end where you can turn a table top if you wish.

   It took me 3 years to decide what to buy-----after talking with a lot of experienced turners, the Powermatic 3520 is what I settled on. The only regret I have is not doing it sooner.

1. 
   Biscardi | Dec 10, 2004 06:15am | #5

   I have been interested in Ernie Conover's lathes.

   Anyone out there have one?

   Frank

1. 
   AndyE | Dec 10, 2004 04:57pm | #6

   I had seen the ads for the Conovers for years and I guess they have stopped making them, no? Anyone know why? seemed like the ideal. set your own bed length. I have been thinking about playing with making my own out of some heavy oak stock, find a motor, get some belts and pulleys, how hard could it be, right? The biggest problem i could think of would be finding tapered mounts for the head and tail stock.

1. 
   Biscardi | Dec 10, 2004 10:35pm | #7

   Andy,

    

   Check out E-bay. I saw one there a ew months ago. With e-bay lathes you really have to be able to pick them up as the shipping is ruinous on such heavy stuff

   Frank

2. 
   jquinn | Dec 11, 2004 04:59pm | #11

   stopped making them 2-3 years ago per their website

3. 
   LeeTree | Dec 11, 2004 04:04am | #8

   Hi Andy,

   I started turning on a smaller lathe (A Delta Steel bed), and found that within a few months that I had outgrown it.  This out growing was because i wanted to more with the lathe than it was capable of.  The more I got into turning, the less capable it was. 

   I did lots of research before buying the Delta, and thought it was the greatist until I put a 12" out of round, wet piece of wood on it.  Besides the lathe walking accross the floor, I had chatter, and just about everything else.  It was maddening.

   So back to the researching of a bigger lathe.  I really bit the bullet on price, but let me explain.  There are really 3 big lathes.  John Jordon's, Oneway, and a gentlemen in WA (I can't seem to remember his name).  These 3 are the top of the line, etc.  After researching these 3, I came up with Oneway as their machine had a lower center of gravity, more add-ons, etc.  The Jordon was only a 2 HP and got hot after lots of use (thanks AAW).  The guy from Washington only does custom, so unless you really know exactly what you want.....

   Don't get me wrong, all 3 are great, but the Oneway was for me.  As soon as it arrived (which does take a few months), I chucked up a piece of wood, and was in utter amazment at how nice and smooth everything was.  I can now throw a 20" 100 lb piece of wood up and turn with no worries.

   So, my advice is spend as much as you can afford (and then some more), on the best lathe out there for you.  In the mid range ($2-3000), Powermatic and Oneway would be my two choices, but I know someone who has the Powermatic that wants to upgrade to the Oneway.  If you get bitten by the turning bug (for hobby or work), this is one investment you will not regret spending as much as you can.

   And, no I do not work for Oneway.  I am a hobby turner who does very little spindle work, and lots of hollow forms, and other totally unuseful stuff.

   Just my two cents, but I have been here, and want to try and save you from making the same mistake I did.

   - lee -

1. 
   DennisS | Dec 11, 2004 10:50am | #9

   LT -There's another lathe I'd put on the list of the "big boys" - the Powermatic 4224. 1000# of shear muscle. Not the fine piece of machinery your One Way is by any means but still a real workhorse............
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis

1. 
   LeeTree | Dec 11, 2004 06:11pm | #12

   Dennis,

   You are correct, the Powermatic is a big lathe.  I would argue though that the center of gravity on the Oneway makes it a whole lot easier to use.  I have used the Powermatic, and I think it is too top heavy.  I see in some other posts too, that someone helped me remember who I forgot.  It is the Nichols Lathe.  A great lathe, as long as you exactly how you want it configured.

   - lee -

1. 
   DennisS | Dec 12, 2004 09:34am | #14

   Hi Lee -When I first got interested in turning I took a day long class from a local turner. He had the big One Way but he used a smaller Nova for instruction. Never got to try out the 'big boy' but sure did look sweet. Everything about it is first cabin.When I went from the little Delta benchtop (with the stock stamped steel stand) to a bigger lathe is was primarily due to what some others have mentioned: No way could I do anything serious with respect to green wood turning of large pieces on the Delta. I was convinced, and still am that the heavier the lathe, the better. Looking at lathe specs (and prices) is what steered me to the Powermatic. It never occured to me to consider center of gravity but I can see where that would indeed be a factor in stability. Now that I've had the PM for a couple years I'm kinda wishing I'd held out for the One Way. If for nothing else the quality of the manufacture. All too often I find the banjo gets bound up on the lathe bed, .... little stuff like that that I suspect never happens with yours.The things dreams are made of................
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis

1. 
   LeeTree | Dec 13, 2004 06:04pm | #15

   Dennis,

   I live in FL very near the water, so I have to clean my lathe after each use, or I have the same problem as you do with the tool rest gettign caught up.  When clean though, you are correct, it is one sweet machine.

   I really struggled with spending the money for the Oneway, but haven't regretted it for one second since getting it.

   - lee -

2. 
   Peter36 | Dec 11, 2004 07:55pm | #13

   I own a Delta cast bed lathe. $600 not very expensive. I made an enormous increase when I bolted it down to the biggest piece of I beam that my local metal supplier had. I got a 5 foot long piece that must weigh about 70 lbs and now my machine runs drastically smoother. I built a custom bench to support it.

4. 
   jim | Dec 11, 2004 04:50pm | #10

   Andy;

   If you know what you want the guy to call is John Nichols, http://www.nicholslathe.com.  He will build you any thing you want up to 6ft diameter and 12 ft lenght.  Motors 3 hp or greater.  Plus great design features like the abaility to and sand or concrete for great incresases in stability.  Best of luck.

   Jim

5. 
   RickL | Dec 15, 2004 07:19pm | #16

   I would go used. Lathes don't have the same demand planers, jointers and table saws have so you can get a better deal on them. http://www.exfactory.com is just one of many places to look. Have you been to the many sites with dedicated turning forums?

   http://www.woodcentral.com is one of many places...

6. 
   Ribeye | Dec 15, 2004 09:23pm | #17

   I want to hear about the Craftsman Professional 15" Lathe (model #21715).

   I have the Craftsman Professional 22124 Table Saw and I'm tremendously pleased with it -- and I've been around table saws of all sizes for quite a few years. 

   (What I'm getting to here is that I've gone from being (very) skeptical of "Craftsman" to being pretty darned impressed with "Craftsman Professional" machines.)

   Right now (until the 16th) this lathe is on sale for 359.99.  I've looked at the machine and am impressed with what I see in the store.  I haven't had a chance to see one in action - much less use one - though.

    

   Does anyone have any experience with one ?

    

   --Steve

   http://www.ApacheTrail.com/ww/

   Penury is the Mother of Invention

1. 
   DennisS | Dec 16, 2004 05:30am | #18

   Putz ....If the lathe sitting on the floor in the store has a spur drive in the headstock and a center in the tail stock, bring the tail stock up to about 3" (or a little less than the travel of the tail stock quill) and run the quill all the way out until it just meets the point of the spur drive. This checks the alignment of head and tail stock. Don't know this lathe but many of the newer models are coming out with rotatable headstocks for larger outboard turning. This means alignment of the tail and headstock will more than likely be an issue.What sort of variable speed control does it employ? - stepped pulleys only or one of those variable pulley mechanisms? In my humble opinion, after using the latter on a Delta bench model lathe, they suck big time. Electronic control of the motor is much superior. Not being an electrical engineer I can't speak for the type of motor this requires but it's obviously not your standard type. My lathe has a 3HP 3phase motor with an on board rotary converter. Torque is (almost) constant through the speed range.Can you pick up one end of the lathe by yourself? If so, realize that you will probably end up adding weight to the machine in order to stabalize it for turning large green out-of-balance blanks. Spindle turning wouldn't present near the same type of problem as hollow vessels so if you intend on doing mostly spindle type work then weight won't be such a significant issue.At the price you indicate, the Craftsman lathe may well be a good value provided you understand its shortcomings. As you increase your interest in turning and broaden your horizons with respect to the kind of work you want to do, there's little doubt in my mind that you'll eventually move up to a heavier, more powerful and, of course more expensive lathe. But .... This one would be an excellent way to test your interest and enthusiasm for the craft of turning and to perfect your skills. Besides, in some ways I wish I'd kept my smaller lathe. Sitting on a stool at a bench lathe does seem attractive at times............
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis