Which Lathe?

[DavidCBaker]

I’m struggling with whether to get the Nova Galaxy DVR or the Laguna 18/36. Other than the motor that drives the two and the pulley/lack of pulley difference, what else should I consider? I don’t ever want to buy another lathe.

I had my eye exclusively on the Laguna and didn’t see any drawbacks. Then I discovered (a bit late in the process) that Nova makes a lathe, too, and I really like their drill press. It’s just an amazing piece of equipment.

Money isn’t really a consideration in the purchase given how long I’ll have it—more features and longevity and ease of use.

Would you be kind enough to give me your opinion? Primary use will be bowls and spindles.

 

[SaanichDennis]

I had one of the early DVR lathes and liked it.  About the only negative was getting the swivelling headstock to align precisely with the tailstock when you swung it back was tricky.  The head and tailstock never were very well aligned.  This made drilling out pepper mills more difficult.  The ability to turn larger items by swinging the head stock is a bit of a red herring anyways since the lathe doesn't really have the power to turn something that big.

But, if you say money isn't really an object, then you should consider the lathe I replaced my DVR with.  I sold the DVR and bought a Oneway 24/36.  There really is no comparison between the two in terms of power, precision and quality of manufacture.  They're Canadian made and the Canadian dollar is pretty low right now, so they're a pretty good value, although still much more expensive than the other lathes you're considering.

Robust's American Beauty is another very highly regarded lathe that is in the same class as the Oneway.  They're made in the US.  I've never used one but people rave about them.

 

[dltflt]

If I had the room, I would probably get the American Beauty from Robust. 

 

[DavidCBaker]

Thank you, Dennis and Don. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me your thoughts. I wasn't are of either of those models.

 

[tjbnwi]

I have 2 Laguna machine that have given me nothing but grief since the first day. I have received 2 phone calls over the issues (one per machine). They're promises to get back to me have gone unfufilled.

I've done every thing I know to get these things right.

For the record, I've spent years adjusting various machines, some with tolerances down to 0.0005".

Tom

 

[Birdhunter]

I second the Oneway suggestion. I have the 24/36 lathe and it is a masterpiece. The Oneway customer support is excellent. Their chucks are outstanding. I looked at a lot of lathes with cost not being a factor and selected the Oneway.

 

[RussellS]

For lathes, I really like the sliding headstock models.  You can slide the head towards the end and basically have a short bed bowl lathe.  Or leave it at the end and have a long bed spindle lathe.  Better for your back to NOT bend over the lathe when hollowing out a bowl.  Better to hollow a bowl by going straight into it from the end.  Like with a short bed lathe.  Or a sliding headstock lathe when the head is slid to the end.  With the fixed head Oneway model, you must buy a separate short bed and mount it on the outboard side to get the short bowl lathe.  Extra expense.  Now if all you will ever do is turn table legs, then by all means get the Oneway fixed head lathe.  But if you turn bowls, then get the sliding head, short bed lathe style.  Robust in Wisconsin is sort of the premier sliding headstock lathe.  And Oneway is the premier fixed head lathe in Canada/US.  But the Powermatic/Jet 3520 has many fans too.  Its made in China if that matters.  Stubby and Vicmarc from Australia have sort of died out over the past decade or two.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have turned large natural edge bowls 16" and larger out of burl mesquite on my Oneway lathe. I would agree a headstock that would move close to the end of the lathe would be very nice for bowls, but the Oneway will work.

I really like the way the tail stock locks into place. I just flip the handle and the tail stock is firmly in place.

 

[Wooden Skye]

If money was no object, I would probably get the American Beauty from Robust.