So I saw this for sale the other day but I'm unsure if it's still available as I haven't been able to reach the seller. But for 6
$650 you get a nova comet ii, nova comet sharpening system, 2 horsepower vacuum dust collector, angle sanding system, g3chuck, beall buffing system, 3 standard and 2 micro carbide tools, figure 8 calipers, faceshield, Benjamin best lathe tool and various other lathe accessories. So if this is still a go am I a fool to pass this up even though the comet has a shorter bed than I want at the moment. Is this a decent lathe to begin on?
I saw the Jet JWL-1015 mini six speed lathe for $399 on Amazon versus $379 for the Nova Comet II variable speed lathe. I have the earlier version of the Jet mini six speed lathe (circa 2005) and in my opinion the six speed Jet lathe is a much better way to go despite the allure of variable speed. Variable speed comes at a price of being very wimpy at the low speeds. If you're only going to turn pens, bottle stoppers and the like then variable speed might be the way to go. The only minor downside of the Jet is the lowest speed is 500 RPM. However, the Jet Can deliver the full half horsepower at all speeds which means that there is plenty of torque at low speed for turning anything that will fit on the lathe. Jet also makes a variable speed version of its mini lathe for a little more money, but I would still prefer the six speed lathe. Once upon a time Jet made an extension for the bed of their mini lathe, but I don't know if they still do.
I don't know about the so-called vacuum dust collector, but that sure sounds like a shop vac to me and I can guarantee that it is nowhere near 2 HP ... probably more like 0.2 HP, and I am not kidding.
The Nova Comet sharpening system is a small grinding wheel that attaches to the headstock of the Nova Comet lathe. I don't know how well it works, but I think that a half horsepower 8" Rikon bench grinder would be much better. However, the cost is about $100 on sale at Woodcraft. The Nova G3 chuck is a good chuck, but I have no personal experience using it.
I would want to know more about the faceshield since that is a very important safety item. Having one that is well built and sturdy is important.
It's hard to know what you would be getting with the various lathe tools and accessories. The Benjamin's Best lathe tools are a reasonably good set of entry level tools. If you stick with it then you will want to get better tools , but you'll know if and when and what. The main thing to know is that it isn't the tool, but the person holding the tool that really matters the most. Knowing how to properly sharpen your tool is at least as important as knowing how to use them correctly. Carbide tools can't be sharpened ... you just replace the carbide tips when they get dull. Carbide tools are easy to use, but they are basically just scraping tools and limit what you can achieve.
The Beall buffing system is something that I own, but have only used a few times. Other people use it a lot. My opinion is don't think of it as something that enhances the value of the package deal.
The figure 8 caliper is basically a stocking stuffer, but you'll use it occasionally.
Various other accessories could mean anything, maybe sandpaper.
I'm not a fan of package deals because a lot of the stuff is typically useless fluff. This deal is OK, but personally I would prefer to pick and choose what I want even though it would mean spending more.
If you can attend a local club meeting you might possibly find a lead to a used lathe and other turning paraphernalia for less money.
