Replies

1. 
   Thorvald | Mar 19, 2009 03:02am | #1

   Jim,

   Can't speak to the virtues of any of these machines since I've never owned them.  However, I would recommend that you rethink your placement of "500 lbs" on the negative side of the ledger -- where lathes are concerned, the heavier the better as long as your floor can handle the load.

   Verne

   If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is there to cut it up and make something with it . . . what a waste!

1. 
   JBarthell | Mar 19, 2009 06:27am | #3

   Thanks for the feedback Verne,

   Yeah the floor can handle it but I reconfigure the garage/workshop depending on the project so everything is on mobile bases… yes I can move 500 lbs on a mobile base but it starts getting hairy. I have an 800lb milling machine I wouldn’t dare try to move…. Though I would probably sell it as it is an overgrown drill press at this point. (I use to own a bowling pro shop).

   Anyway, Thanks again, I do appreciate the feedback.. I am currently leaning toward the Laguna… (won’t take much to get me to cross the line).

   Anyone know why it was left out of the magazine review? I find that troubling.

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   Jim   

2. 
   ndmatt | Mar 19, 2009 05:53am | #2

   I recently bought the NOVA 1624-44.  It's an awesome lathe!  Very heavy duty and with 8 speeds you can do pretty much anything you want.  Personally, I don't think it's worth it to pay the extra $$$ for the electronic variable speed.

   I bought mine at the local Woodcraft, and it came with cast iron legs which do a great job keeping the lathe stable.  I don't know where you're looking at purchasing from, but you might want to double check and see if legs are included.  Also, you can add on as many bed extensions as you want for an unlimited bed length.

   I guess you can tell I'm pretty partial to the NOVA.  BTW, my local woodcraft has them on sale for $899 now.

1. 
   JBarthell | Mar 19, 2009 06:34am | #4

   Thanks Matt… (NDMatt is that North Dakota? Been through there several times had a job interview in Minot once…)

   Yes it is on sale and it does come with legs though it sounds from the magazine review like they are the weak link in the picture?? Your experience sounds different though… You have no stability issues?

   And that $1000 savings would buy a lot of other toys… err tools.

   Thanks for the feedback…

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   Jim

1. 
   ndmatt | Mar 19, 2009 06:45am | #5

   I haven't had issues with stability, although I've never used another lathe so I have nothing to reference to. Maybe if had tried a oneway I'd think differently.ND is for Notre Dame, my alma mater, although North Dakota is somewhere I'd like to visit. Good luck with the purchase.

3. 
   docotter | Mar 19, 2009 08:07am | #6

   Except for the Nova 1624, they're all electronic variable speed. A *good thing* in my book. If you plan to turn bowls, the more weight the better. When you put half a log on the lathe you don't want it spinning too fast, and you don't want the lathe hopping around on you. The Novas are small lathes and are difficult to compare to the bigger Laguna and Jet.

   FWIW, whatever you pay for the lathe, it's pretty easy to drop another $1K on turning tools, chuck(s) and jaws, Richard Raffan books, sharpening accessories, etc...

   That said, whichever of those you choose, none of them are bad choices for what each is. A quality lathe is always resaleable for a reasonable return if you decide that you've outgrown whatever you have.

4. 
   Lumpy | Mar 20, 2009 02:39am | #7

   I don't often post on forums but....

   There were many issues with a Laguna lathe posted on a woodturning website last fall. Parts that were promised under warranty were never delivered etc. you'd have to read the 10 or so pages to believe what went on. I believe the fellow fiinally got his money back after months of wrangling with Laguna. His experiences would certainly make me wary.

5. 
   ChristopherL | Mar 20, 2009 07:54pm | #8

   Hi-

   I have the Laguna 18/47 and I love it.  It came in January with no problems, everything has worked just fine and I've been really pleased with the extra heft and the quiet power of the 240 volts. 

   I set it up by myself (not recommended) and I think that the minor inconvenience of running another dedicated 240 outlet was well worth the effort.  The price was more than I wanted to spend, but it was on sale and they were offering free shipping.  As a previous post said, don't underestimate the amount you will spend on extras (chucks, face shield, good quality hss tools, etc.)

   So far, it is the tool that has given me the most satisfaction (I have a smattering of Delta, Bridgewood, MiniMax.)  Good luck with your decision.

   Chris

1. 
   JBarthell | Mar 20, 2009 09:47pm | #9

   THIS is good to hear, thanks Chris for the post, I was getting worried because they called yesterday, the lathe is back-ordered so they sweetened the deal to the point I couldn’t refuse. Like you said free shipping, plus they waived the residential delivery fee, plus they have a few of the premium chucks on sale for $175. Then to top it off he said, go to the site, pick out any 2 turning tools and he will throw those in also, I couldn’t pass that up and committed to the deal…. It should be here in 3 weeks, just enough time to get the 220 run…. Or is it 240? Whatever, again like you said it is more than I wanted to spend but I feel the tool is worth more than I am spending… (does that make sense?)

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   Jim

1. 
   ChristopherL | Mar 21, 2009 12:11am | #10

   Great!

   I'm no electrician, but I believe it is actually a range (220-240).  I know there are a number of people on this forum who know a lot about this stuff.  I run the lathe on a dedicated circuit with a 20 amp breaker wired for 220-240.

   I did load it with a hand truck in pieces down a flight of stairs.  I then assembled the two legs and the bed and levered it into place.  I think it is really a two-person operation.  The manual is pretty useless but everything is fairly intuitive.

   Enjoy

   Chris

1. 
   JBarthell | Mar 21, 2009 12:21am | #11

   Should be interesting... I asked about it yesterday, I was told it really is pretty much assembled in one big 500lb box ;-) may need to get my engine hoist back from my neighbor =8-O "Watch yer step, 'scuse me, could you hand me my testicles please, they are over there on the floor!"...

    

   Jim