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Lathe upgrade question, laguna to PM?

Tony Perelli

Tony Perelli

Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Messages
66
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Location
Alaska
Website
www.tonyperelli.org
Hi All,

My question is for those familiar with the revered 3520b Powermatic lathe is: how much of a difference & what do you think would feel different between the PM machine and similar Lagunas? I’m thinking beyond the obvious stats & more about general feel, vibration, power, smoothness etc.

More specifically,
I’m currently turning on a Laguna 2436 & there is a used 3520b locally that I’m considering.

When I transitioned from ancient Delta to a little JET and then to my Laguna, each time I was amazed at the upgrades and how differently it felt to turn. I’d love a Robust AB but those don’t show up used very often & feel just out of reach price wise.

For reference, in case it helps to know, I make mostly functional bowls etc and core bowls too.
Thanks for sharing any thoughts!
Best
Tony
 
Hmm you know, Jet and Powermatic are basically the same thing except for color (and I presume powermatic has a few more bells and whistles to make it worth the premium?) I'd suspect the Jet 1840 would be comparable to the PM 3520B.... but then what do I know? I'm still turning on my cheapo Harbor Freight 12/36 - When the time comes that I can spring for the upgrade, I'm hoping for a JWL-1840.. But oersonally if I could get a good used PM3520 (B or C) at same (or cheaper) price than a new JWL1840, I'd probably grab the PM first.
 
The Laguna has 4" more diameter capacity. And in theory - an inch more length. But I would look at the weight of the two machines. Mass is great for dampening vibration. I owned the 3520 B - and wish I had kept it for a second lathe. Other than the Laguna "spotty" customer service record. O.K. - "iffy" customer service record...:) I like the design of several of their machines. I am not sure there would be any real advantage in going to the Powermatic given your 2436 is a newer designed machine. Do you have 3 hp? Does the Powermatic you are looking at? Weight differences? Are you having any issues with your Laguna? If not....I would be hard pressed to think of any real advantage.....
 
For me the 3520b has been bullet proof over the last 17 years, not one instance of anything wrong. Having friends that have had problems with Laguna was more than enough to keep me away from them. But you have the Laguna and if you're not having any problems I see no advantage to going to the Powermatic unless its use would be a second lathe. Having multiple lathes is great if you have the room.
 
Chuck Lobaito said:
I have a PM3520B and I have turned on a Laguna 2436. I prefer my 3520B because it is heavier
Click to expand...

Weight.......it does make a difference!

-----odie-----
 
I like the design of the PM better than the Laguna. Other than that, speed ranges are important. Think the PM is up to 1200 in the low range. No clue what the Laguna is. I did find 1200 a bit slow for smaller bowls. You do need to core in slow speed range. No lathe likes coring in high speed range. Personally, I think all lathes should have 3 speed ranges like the Vicmark and Oneway. That mid range is ideal for bowl turning. My AB was one of the first ones and it has 3 speeds.

robo hippy
 
Brian Gustin said:
Hmm you know, Jet and Powermatic are basically the same thing except for color (and I presume powermatic has a few more bells and whistles to make it worth the premium?) I'd suspect the Jet 1840 would be comparable to the PM 3520B.... but then what do I know? I'm still turning on my cheapo Harbor Freight 12/36 - When the time comes that I can spring for the upgrade, I'm hoping for a JWL-1840.. But oersonally if I could get a good used PM3520 (B or C) at same (or cheaper) price than a new JWL1840, I'd probably grab the PM first.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your feedback, Brian. And to be clear, I loved my jet 1221! It was just too small to do the stuff I wanted to do with it after a while. I think there's a lot to be said for making good work with out using the Cadillac tools...but then I also appreciate using nice tools, value all of this. Thanks!
 
Tim Tucker said:
The Laguna has 4" more diameter capacity. And in theory - an inch more length. But I would look at the weight of the two machines. Mass is great for dampening vibration. I owned the 3520 B - and wish I had kept it for a second lathe. Other than the Laguna "spotty" customer service record. O.K. - "iffy" customer service record...:) I like the design of several of their machines. I am not sure there would be any real advantage in going to the Powermatic given your 2436 is a newer designed machine. Do you have 3 hp? Does the Powermatic you are looking at? Weight differences? Are you having any issues with your Laguna? If not....I would be hard pressed to think of any real advantage.....
Click to expand...
Thanks Tim! I've actually had really great service with the few little issues and questions I had with my Laguna. Either I got lucky or they've stepped it up. It's been a sweet machine. Laguna is 3hp and the PM is 2. PM is much heavier.
 
Bill Blasic said:
For me the 3520b has been bullet proof over the last 17 years, not one instance of anything wrong. Having friends that have had problems with Laguna was more than enough to keep me away from them. But you have the Laguna and if you're not having any problems I see no advantage to going to the Powermatic unless its use would be a second lathe. Having multiple lathes is great if you have the room.
Click to expand...
Thanks Bill! I'm embarrassed that I am influenced by these stories of bullet proof long lasting machines as much as I am. That's where I wonder if there is an advantage in getting the PM, selling the Laguna and just feeling like it's a general upgrade in longevity etc. Thanks or your input!
 
robo hippy said:
I like the design of the PM better than the Laguna. Other than that, speed ranges are important. Think the PM is up to 1200 in the low range. No clue what the Laguna is. I did find 1200 a bit slow for smaller bowls. You do need to core in slow speed range. No lathe likes coring in high speed range. Personally, I think all lathes should have 3 speed ranges like the Vicmark and Oneway. That mid range is ideal for bowl turning. My AB was one of the first ones and it has 3 speeds.

robo hippy
Click to expand...
Thanks Robo! - the laguna has 2 speed ranges and in low it says it'll do 50-1300.
 
Bill Blasic said:
For me the 3520b has been bullet proof over the last 17 years, not one instance of anything wrong. Having friends that have had problems with Laguna was more than enough to keep me away from them. But you have the Laguna and if you're not having any problems I see no advantage to going to the Powermatic unless its use would be a second lathe. Having multiple lathes is great if you have the room.
Click to expand...
I would second not seeing any advantage if the Laguna is serving you well. If weight is the consideration, you can easily add that with a ballast box between the legs. I have never been wowed by the PMs. I started out with a Jet 1642, then had an opportunity to buy a used 3520B. Luckily I did not sell the 1642 because I decided I preferred it over the PM. I later had a chance to buy a 'last lathe' -- I sold the PM without hesitation and kept the 1642. I have continued to use PMs in teaching and demos. Still don't really like them compared to other lathes. If the Laguna is doing what you ask and doing it well -- keep it. One thing to check carefully with the PM -- make sure that you are happy with the spindle height. I suspect it may be higher than your Laguna. And you cannot reduce the height of the PM. I'm average height (~5'10").
 
Laguna is the only brand of lathe I’ve seen the handle on the banjo snap. I think it was an imperfection in the casting. I helped teach on those lathes for a few days and I loathe them. They look nice though. Now the 3520b is a great machine in my opinion. I think it’s closer to the oneways than people think other than the 2hp motor being a little underwhelming. They’re work horse lathes.
 
Tony Perelli said:
Right-on, good input, thanks! Yea, I'm closer to 5'8" and the height adjustment is a concern. I'll check on this too.
Click to expand...
Many turners - including my mentor Joe Ruminski - built a wooden platform to fit his height comfort range. So, I would not be too hung up on the height adjustment.
 
I have owned a Powermatic 3520C for about a year. I think it’s amazing. I never owned a 3520B but the B and C are similar with the C being a little heavier. It’s a great lathe. And, at over 700 pounds, the weight does make difference (B is not quite that weight but heavy). Someone compared the Jet 1840 with the 3520C. Weightwise and stability there is no comparison. I looked at them both and gave up on the Jet.

Comparing a Laguna and Powermatic I’d look at weight for sure. It’s important. while you cna make a 600-700 pound lathe vibrate across the floor it takes a lot of imbalance and blank weight. While I’ve only been turning for several years and have a lot to learn I do know that. I have not been sorry I went with the 3520c
 
Brian Gustin said:
Hmm you know, Jet and Powermatic are basically the same thing except for color (and I presume powermatic has a few more bells and whistles to make it worth the premium?) I'd suspect the Jet 1840 would be comparable to the PM 3520B.... but then what do I know? I'm still turning on my cheapo Harbor Freight 12/36 - When the time comes that I can spring for the upgrade, I'm hoping for a JWL-1840.. But oersonally if I could get a good used PM3520 (B or C) at same (or cheaper) price than a new JWL1840, I'd probably grab the PM first.
Click to expand...
I have owned a Jet 1840 for 3 years. Turned many bowls. The first thing I did was to add 8 cement blocks to a shelf in the base to steady it up. The lathe has been good. It has a rotatable head and I have used it often enough to be glad I have it. Most useful to me when working on a deep bowl and I can't lean in/over enough to watch the tool work. Said another way, it's a great way to avoid long periods of leaning over on certain pieces. Comparable to the PM3520B? Not in this lifetime. Rod Humphrey Woodturning has many videos on YouTube. He turned for years on a Jet until the Reeves drive died. His choice was a PM3520 (C probably, not sure). He has made a number of comments about the great improvement over the Jet, particularly in reduced shaking when starting an out of balance piece. He switched somewhere back a bit more than 2 years ago. Me? I would love to own a PM 3520C!
 
Tom Jewett said:
I have owned a Jet 1840 for 3 years. Turned many bowls. The first thing I did was to add 8 cement blocks to a shelf in the base to steady it up. The lathe has been good. It has a rotatable head and I have used it often enough to be glad I have it. Most useful to me when working on a deep bowl and I can't lean in/over enough to watch the tool work. Said another way, it's a great way to avoid long periods of leaning over on certain pieces. Comparable to the PM3520B? Not in this lifetime. Rod Humphrey Woodturning has many videos on YouTube. He turned for years on a Jet until the Reeves drive died. His choice was a PM3520 (C probably, not sure). He has made a number of comments about the great improvement over the Jet, particularly in reduced shaking when starting an out of balance piece. He switched somewhere back a bit more than 2 years ago. Me? I would love to own a PM 3520C!
Click to expand...
Cool input Tom. I typically slide the headstock down to the end so I can avoid leaning over, same reasons you enjoy the swivel. The swivel sounds really great too. I'll check out Rod Humphrey, thanks!
 
Tony Perelli said:
Cool input Tom. I typically slide the headstock down to the end so I can avoid leaning over, same reasons you enjoy the swivel. The swivel sounds really great too. I'll check out Rod Humphrey, thanks!
Click to expand...
Jet quit making the rotating head stock. That is what I was looking at when I upgraded and ended up going with a Record Power.
 
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