Which Oneway Banjo for 3520B

[Leo Lopez]

I know this topic has been discussed extensively in the past, but I would appreciate further clarity. I have read posts from those who recommend Oneway's 20" Banjo on their PM3520B lathe. However, when I tried to order this banjo today, Oneway responded by saying their 16" Banjo is the correct one for this lathe. I am thus confused and don't want to order the wrong banjo. Help Please, Thanks

 

[odie]

Here's a link to a thread on another forum where the same question was asked:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthr...jo-do-you-have-on-your-Powermatic-3520b-Lathe

 

[john lucas]

Personally I prefer the Powermatic Banjo. when i lock a Oneway banjo It seems I always have to really pull to unlock it. I don't push down hard to lock it and they do hold very well but unlocking has just always been hard. Maybe it's just me but it's happened on more than one lathe. On rare occasions I have had my Powermatic tool posts rotate so I just tighten the handle a little more. I've demoed on 2 Robust lathes and they only take 2 fingers to unlock. Don't know if they would fit the powermatic but that would be my choice if I was going that route.

 

[hockenbery]

I prefer the ONEWAY banjo. ONEWAY has sold a bunch so take their advice.

The ONEWAY bango is easy to lock and unlock with two fingers. It also has the best post locking mechanism and it can be rotated so that the handle locks in any position you like. It slides easily and locks positively.

The Robust is a fine banjo too. I don't care for the tool post lock. It is the same one used on the first powermatic 3520s - two nuts on a screw that squeeze the post. Unless you unwind the post locking mechanism a couple of full turns these nuts slide into the hole and block the tool post then you have to open the lock and push the nuts out of the way with your finger. Also always keep a rest in the banjo or the nuts will get into the hole when you bump,or move the banjo. Like any quirk on a machine it is something owners learn to do. The robust locks positively and is easy to move too.

On the ONEWAY I just lift the handle as I slide the rest in and lock it by letting go. I can

 

[Leo Lopez]

I prefer the ONEWAY banjo. ONEWAY has sold a bunch so take their advice.

The ONEWAY bango is easy to lock and unlock with two fingers. It also has the best post locking mechanism and it can be rotated so that the handle locks in any position you like. It slides easily and locks positively.

The Robust is a fine banjo too. I don't care for the tool post lock. It is the same one used on the first powermatic 3520s - two nuts on a screw that squeeze the post. Unless you unwind the post locking mechanism a couple of full turns these nuts slide into the hole and block the tool post then you have to open the lock and push the nuts out of the way with your finger. Also always keep a rest in the banjo or the nuts will get into the hole when you bump,or move the banjo. Like any quirk on a machine it is something owners learn to do. The robust locks positively and is easy to move too.

On the ONEWAY I just lift the handle as I slide the rest in and lock it by letting go. I can

Thanks for the info, so do you have the 16" or 20" Oneway banjo?

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

Thanks for the info, so do you have the 16" or 20" Oneway banjo?

I would believe what the Oneway people tell you, they have sold all kinds of banjo’s for the Powermatic as well as for other lathes, who use the long shafts that will bend when force is applied to them.

 

[hockenbery]

Thanks for the info, so do you have the 16" or 20" Oneway banjo?

We( sherry is a turner too) have three oneways. Two 24" and a 10".
We have been dealing with ONEWAY since 1994 when we bought a termite.

I suggest you listen to oneway.
They know their tools and support their customers quite well.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Unless you unwind the post locking mechanism a couple of full turns these nuts slide into the hole and block the tool post then you have to open the lock and push the nuts out of the way with your finger....

I haven't encountered that problem unless I bump the handle while there isn't anything in the hole. I'm not familiar with the Oneway so I can't make a comparison. I like the Robust's wedge lock feature, the ratcheting handle, and that it can be quickly moved from one side to the other.

 

[john lucas]

I will not disupute the quality of Oneway. I have had many conversations with them at the shows and they are great people and their customer support is excellent. Maybe my problem is just the particular lathes I have been on. So go with Al's advice.

 

[Leo Lopez]

Thank everyone, I appreciate the guidance.

 

[Leo Van Der Loo]

I will not disupute the quality of Oneway. I have had many conversations with them at the shows and they are great people and their customer support is excellent. Maybe my problem is just the particular lathes I have been on. So go with Al's advice.

A little lubrication does wonders.

 

[Leo Lopez]

Thanks to Carl Ford at Carl Ford's Woodturning Blog, I now understand where the confusion was coming from. Carl suggested the problem may be Oneway assuming that I, as a PM 3520B owner, was purchasing their banjo to fit a collection of PM tool rests with longer posts. PM's longer posts require a shorter banjo stem like the one on Oneway's 16" banjo. However, if you are not planning on using PM's tool rests, Oneway's 20" banjo with the longer stem is the one to buy. I called Oneway again this morning and they confirmed Carl's suspicion. I just purchased the lathe and I do not have a collection of PM tool rests. In my case, Oneway's 20" Banjo No. 2407 is the one to buy. Thanks again to everyone.