Hi Ernie I have asked you in the past and I value your opnion. I at the moment have a lathe that I purchased at Lee Valley tools years ago when they sold power tools and I worked there. Busy Busy sold the original design from Taiwan. It has 2 round bars for the bed amd a heavy head stock as well as tailstock. I am starting to really get into making bowls etc. but I don’t find it adequate now. I am looking at the General 160-2 which in Canada sells for $2900.00 on sale and I have recently looking at the One Way Lathe. I have also looked at the powermatic on line but it is considerably more. What is you opinion of the three that I mentioned. Thanks Ernie. or any one else that have these lathes your input would be appreciated.
Have fun woodworking but respect your tools
Replies
The General is a well built machine but a dated design with mechanical variable speed. Variable width pulleys are vibration prone when new and it never gets better. The Oneway is probably the best lathe in the world today and something all Canadians can be proud of. (My grandfather was from Woodstock, New Brunswick so I am 1/4 Canadian.) I worked on the design of the Powermatic and think our team did a first rate job of giving the 3520B all a modern lathe needs. It has all the features of the Oneway with a more digestible price--at least in the states. The One way has the best fit and finish on any lathe today--better than the Powermatic.
With best regards,
Ernie Conover
Hi Ernie thanks for the input on the variable speed set up, so what you are saying is that the General has a belt that slides on the pulley to change speeds and the One Way and powermatic is electronic? By the way Ernie trying to find a price for the One Way 1640 is very hard. Ernie would you know if there are any Canadian distributers for Powermatic.Thanks Ernie Mark
Have fun woodworking but respect your tools
Edited 10/1/2007 9:09 pm ET by woodman1549
Correct. The General is mechanical and the other two are electronic. I am checking for dealers in Canada for you.Regards,
Ernie
Thank You Ernie I really appreciate the help. MarkHave fun woodworking but respect your tools
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled