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Laguna Platinum Series 18/47 Lathe

B

Barry Nicholson

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Feb 20, 2009
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I'm starting to look at a larger lathe and am wondering if anyone owns or has knowledge on the Laguna Platinum Series 18/47 Lathe? It's about $1500 less than a Powermatic which would be wonderful to own but the cost is a huge consideration. Your advice is appreciated!
 
I would go with Powermatic

Barry, if you search just this forum (laguna lathe), the first two threads that pop up are about people that purchased it, and had problems either with the the lathe, or with the service.

If you did a similar search on other woodturning forums you'll likely find other threads that don't speak favorably about it. I don't own one, nor have I turned on it, but the people who posted with their opinions sounded like they had personal knowledge.
 
I'll just add that I tried to get information from them, and mentioned the disturbing threads about their lack of customer service. It seems like one of them was really a user error, not their product, and that I wanted to see info on the lathe myself and see on in action. they never returned my email, and I sent two. it seems like they didn't want to address the problem at all. Although their tablesaws and bandsaws seem to get rave reviews, as far as the lathe is concerned, Caveat Emptor!!
 
If you don't have the jack for a Powermatic, research:
1) Nova DVR
2) Jet 1642
3) Delta 755X

These are the best lathes I can think of which cost less than the Powermatic.
 
It seems to be a common cycle. Buy an affordable, albeit small lathe, then a few years, or months later, lust after a bigger one. But money begins to moan and groan so you buy less then you want. Time passes and the lust hasn't died so you begin looking again.

I say buy the Powermatic. It's the kind of lathe that can last the rest of your life. Next up is Stubby, Robust and Serious. After that, it's custom jobs.

Falling, falling, falling down a hole...

Burt
 
Burt,
I understand what you are saying and agree to an extent, but I really do believe that any of the three lathes I listed are reasonable candidates for final lathes. I haven't heard of anyone wearing one of them out.
I certainly know people who have turned plenty of fine quality work on these lathes.
BTW, I have a 3520B, but my lust hasn't died - I still look longingly at Robust and Stubby whenever I see one.

I don't mean to offend you in any way, but the $1500 Barry wants to save is enough money to buy everything else needed for a nice turning shop (for example). I have turned on the Jet, Delta, and Nova and they are great machines. I'd want to get more input on the Delta's reliability, it was plagued at one point with faulty controllers, but I'd hope Delta has fixed that over the years. Since Jet and Powermatic went up on their prices, the Delta looks better than it used to (as long as the controllers are right).
 
KEW said:
If you don't have the jack for a Powermatic, research:
1) Nova DVR
2) Jet 1642
3) Delta 755X

These are the best lathes I can think of which cost less than the Powermatic.
Click to expand...

Don't forget the DVR is on sale at www.woodcraft.com for 1699 until 3-31-09.
Thats $500 off!! It is less than the laguna, and a great lathe, if you build a suitable stand for it. The stand it comes with is fine for spindle turning, but you need something more substantial, which is worth the savings over the jet 2HP. I went with the powermatic, mostly because I'm into turning bigger bowls, and wanted the weight, but I had to save a long time. Hope you enjoy whatever you end up with!!
 
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