The current issue of FWW features a comparison of several Midi Lathes for new turner’s. I’ve read recommendations over the last three years praising midi lathes over the next larger segment- [$500 to $600]. The consensus being the midi lathes offer almost everything the more expensive class has at nearly half the price.
I’m interested in spindle and leg turnings initially, perhaps bowls in the future. I would purchase the bed extension with the tool. The Nova model features a convenient variable speed DC design with just a three step pulley. The company also specializes in lathes. The problem is that even with the additional extension length is just 20″, half of the other midi lathes. Of course Nova markets the lathe as a Mini lathe but was included with the review based on similar features. I’ve also read complaints about excessive motor noise in Nova’s larger 3000 series.
Any personal recommendations on this class would be appreciated.
Joe Coty
Replies
Joe,
Can't comment on the midi lathes, but I've had a Nova 3000 for almost a year. No excessive noise at all; it just hums along. (It's the Leeson variable speed motor.) I can even hear my radio while its running if I crank it up an extra notch (the radio. I've spent the last 10 years outfitting my shop, one tool at a time. This lathe is the only one I can say I'm 100% satisfied with. GP
Did you have an opportunity to compare with Oneway's 1018? It's more money though.
I've consistently invested in quality tools as well, with the "one" purchase mentality. I've built a cantilevered miter station featured in FWW a couple of years back. And I was hoping the lathe could fit behind the fence during storage and then be moved forward of the fence for operation. (I am working in a 20' by 20' shop.)
I'm glad your happy with your 3000 series. I understand the "Comet" is under a redesign, I'll be anxious to evaluate the new model. It seems the "Mercury" and all of Nova's lathes accept additional extensions providing unlimited length potential.
Joe,
I did consider the Oneway, having read some good reviews of their lathes. But, when I called them for a brochure, it still hadn't arrived several weeks later. I figured if they were that slow in getting out a mailer to a potential customer, their service, if I ever had a warranty problem, might be just as laggardly. Anyway, I don't see how I could be more satisfied.
One thing though: it sounds like you are looking for a lathe that you can store away on a shelf or bench when not using it. A midi lathe would be much more portable than a Oneway or the Nova 3000. Mine weighs over 400 lb, including the stand with ballast. Anyway, good luck with your decision. GP
You're right, the Nova Mercury makes more sense for my space considerations.
Thanks,
Joe
Joe,
I'm new to turning and read with great interest the articles you mentioned. last Christmas Santa bought me a Craftsman for about $450. Strange, but Santa used my credit card that is how I know the price. I'll be honest, I'm still trying to figure out what is wrong with this tool. It's got a long bed, with a 15" swing, morse #2 taper, live whose whatse, variable speed electric motor..two hp, and the head swings to the outside for larger pieces. It's heavy with a cast iron bed and I can add aditional stability with the base I built.
I've never heard a negative comment from other turners...but never a positive one either... Can someone help me understand the sacrifices i made by not paying three time as much for a Delta?
BG, Just read your message and I was just now looking at the same Lathe in the Craftsman catalog...It actually doesn't look bad for the money...But I am sure it Isn't 2hp
They say in the Ad it can generates UP TO 2HP...(sears does this all the time) so I wonder what the REAL hp is.
Anyway, have you done any large bowls with it? does it bog down?
makinsawdust
Ed,
I have not used the lathe for bowls yet. I've got legs and rolling pins galore all made from solid scraps or glue ups. The largest stock I have put on so far is some 5" stock 32" long...made some nice legs.
Yeah, your right about the horsepower thing...can't tell anymore what reality is on most of the equipment. About six months ago I was finishing up some legs with square tops. I had moved the 12 " tool rest out of the way and started to sand a little. As i turned around me arse bumped the tool rest and it swung into the spinning stock at the square end. It snapped the tool rest off from its base like it was a toothpick. The tool rest is cast iron so its strength is not all that much, but I was surprised form several points of veiw...and expressed that appropriately at the time.
Thanks for your comments, I looked at the lathe online at the Sears site and the ACTUAL HP is (1) hp with a peak of 2hp (whatever that is).
As you stated the cast iron in the wrong places is one of the differances between a similar model say Delta, I remember reading somewhere the tailstock is important too. Delta is beefier for suremakinsawdust
Joe,
I've got the Delta Midi with the bed extension and really like it. I use it only for turning legs and spindles. It's capabilities for bowl turning are rather limited with a 10" swing, and it can't do outboard turning.
The Nova just strikes me as costing a whole lot of money for a small lathe. I wonder if you'd be better to go with a full sized model and not have to worry about out-growing it in a year or so.
Jeff
The Mercury while diminutive does offer 14" outboard swing, however it seems to be advertised as a pen turner's lathe.
I'm still struggling to pull the trigger, but I have settled on the Nova line. I like the idea of commissioning a company which specializes in lathes.
I may go whole hog and jump to the new Nova DVR 3000.
Hi Jeff,
Just saw your posting after looking for info on midi lathes. I'm thinking of making baseball bats (30" - 34" long); would the Delta midi with the bed extension be long enough?
Thx,
Rob
Rob,
Mine measures 37" between centers, so there'd be no problem.
Jeff
I have had no problem with the Delta Midi lathe that I got 2 years ago.
here are some things i've done or acquired.
1) a jacobs 1/2" chuck on a #2 taper,
2) various live centers with removable center pins,
3) made my own center pins for the live center out of oak dowels,
4) made my own duplicator for knobs.
5) made a 10" wooden wheel for holding 1"x30" sanding belts.
6) various size spur drives,
7) make my own chisels (haven't bought any yet),
8) bed extension.
I lied. I have had a problem. The tail center does not exactly line up with the drive center. If I slip a piece of brass shim stock under the rear traveller foot, it lines up.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy
PlaneWood
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