Hello out there fellow wood turners.
I have been turning for a little while pinching and saving my pennys. It is time to upgrade from my antique, vibrating lathe that is older than I am to something new and shiny. I mostly turn bowls, and some spindle turning, so I am wanting a 20" swing and definetly electronic variable speed on whatever I buy. I think I have narrowed it down to the Nova Dvr 2024. But I am also considering if it would be better to save up another 1000$ and go for the Powermatic 3520B? I have never used either one of these lathes. The local Woodcraft store has one of the Novas in the store, but of course they don't have a power source close enough that I can even turn it on. I don't personally know any turners locally that have either one of these lathes, so I can't go over to anyone's shop and check one out. And my local AAW chapter is 50 miles away from the house, and I can't even get anyone there to e mail me back about joining up. So, that is why I am here begging the advice of you fine people. I know there has to be several people on these forums that have these lathes. I know the Powermatic is a popular choice and no doubt would be a good lathe. But cash don't come too easy, so I'm wondering if it is worth the extra money. I have used a Nova 1624-44 in class and Nova seems to make a quality product from what I could see. My biggest concern about the DVR 2024 is that is only weighs 320 lbs. where the Powermatic weighs 682 lbs. that is double the weight. I'm sure it has to make a difference in stability. Woodcraft also has a Rikon 20X36 model 70-500. But, I never see anything about Rikon lathes anywhere. Anyway, any advice or input at all would be appreciated. I am just trying to make a good educated decision to get a machine that will last a good long while.
Thanks
I have been turning for a little while pinching and saving my pennys. It is time to upgrade from my antique, vibrating lathe that is older than I am to something new and shiny. I mostly turn bowls, and some spindle turning, so I am wanting a 20" swing and definetly electronic variable speed on whatever I buy. I think I have narrowed it down to the Nova Dvr 2024. But I am also considering if it would be better to save up another 1000$ and go for the Powermatic 3520B? I have never used either one of these lathes. The local Woodcraft store has one of the Novas in the store, but of course they don't have a power source close enough that I can even turn it on. I don't personally know any turners locally that have either one of these lathes, so I can't go over to anyone's shop and check one out. And my local AAW chapter is 50 miles away from the house, and I can't even get anyone there to e mail me back about joining up. So, that is why I am here begging the advice of you fine people. I know there has to be several people on these forums that have these lathes. I know the Powermatic is a popular choice and no doubt would be a good lathe. But cash don't come too easy, so I'm wondering if it is worth the extra money. I have used a Nova 1624-44 in class and Nova seems to make a quality product from what I could see. My biggest concern about the DVR 2024 is that is only weighs 320 lbs. where the Powermatic weighs 682 lbs. that is double the weight. I'm sure it has to make a difference in stability. Woodcraft also has a Rikon 20X36 model 70-500. But, I never see anything about Rikon lathes anywhere. Anyway, any advice or input at all would be appreciated. I am just trying to make a good educated decision to get a machine that will last a good long while.
Thanks