Have the itch to buy a new lathe and looking at the DVR 3000. Anybody out there using one? Anybody out there have any experience with one? Any advice/information/experience you can furnish will be appreciated.
Thanks!
Have the itch to buy a new lathe and looking at the DVR 3000. Anybody out there using one? Anybody out there have any experience with one? Any advice/information/experience you can furnish will be appreciated.
Thanks!
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Replies
Bodger,
Can't comment on the DVR model but I have had the standard model, the Nova 3000 (non DVR) for about 3 years, and am extremely well satisfied with it. It's not the biggest lathe for the money, but is one of the most versatile, solid, easy to use, and so far, very reliable. I don't know how the new model could be over $500 better than mine.
I see in the catalogs (Woodcraft, Woodturner's Catalog, and Packard) that the model I bought, with electronic speed control, is no longer offered. It's either the DVR for around $1800, or the manual speed change model for around $900. One plus the DVR info mentions is that it's designed to run on household (115V) current.
Gary
Bodgerman,
I've had my DVR 3000 for just a few months and so far it's been absolutely great! The electronic speed control, rotating headstock (locks at every 45 degree position), solid construction, 110v convenience, and other features are outstanding. I looked at virtually every other lathe in this price range, tried several of them in friends' shops, and have no hesitation to say I made the right decision.
The nature of the DVR technology is such that you get full torque at any speed, down to 100 rpm if necessary, which is important when roughing out large diameter pieces. If you want to turn on the left (handwheel) side, the motor reverses so you can still turn in the more familiar counterclockwise direction, as opposed to most lathes that require you to turn "backwards" while using the headstock setup. Nova also offers a vacuum adapter for the handwheel.
Another plus is that it is extremely quiet to operate. I work sometimes for several hours at once and really like this attribute...my built-in and well insulated dust control system is actually louder! No earplugs required!
Is it worth the extra $500 for the DVR features? If you work on lots of projects where you change speeds frequently...YES!!! Once you experience variable speed lathes you'll never want to go back to belts. This is true of other brands as well, and I found that I had to take the price plunge from the +/- $900 range to the +/- $1800 range to get variable speed control (true v.s., not just slipping pullys.)
I had the Delta and Jet in this price range, along with the Nova DVR 3000, but discovered that neither have rotating headstocks. To turn large diameter pieces on either one you have to either turn backwards on the headstock or slide the headstock all the way to the tailstock end to turn normal direction. Also, I found that when I'm face turning I can rotate the headstock 45 degrees towards me and still use the standard toolrests. Much less turning and twisting when you're hollowing out, and I believe that makes for safer turning, not just more comfortable and less tiring.
The relatively short standard bed - shorter that Delta or Jet and others - is actually an asset to me. I don't need to spindle turn more than the standard 24", but if I do there is a simple to add bed extension. Meanwhile, I save that valuable space in my shop.
Hope my experience with it helps. At this point, as you can see, I'm very pleased. BTW, I bought my DVR at Woodworkers Supply for significantly less than Woodcraft or elsewhere. It's not in their catalogue, but they carry it. Check it out.
John
A year and a half ago, I was seriously looking at the DVR, and then I tried one at Woodcraft--I then bought the Delta. For the same amount of money, It was both more substantial and more versitale. The DVR, although advertised to have great torque at low speeds did not compare to the delta.
Also, since I do a lot of heavy face turning, the extra mass in the Delta(especially when the legs are filled with sand) is a great asset. Also the Delta has a larger spindle at 1 1/4"-8tpi vs 1"-8tpi which will translate to better vibration control when using a chuck.
Incidentally, I looked the both the Nova and Oneway chucks, and found the oneway to be a much more solid unit.
Just my 2 cents worth
Peter
jpswoodworking.com
The Nova spindle is 1 1/4 in also.
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