Need Mini Lathe Opinion/Recommendation

Darthblader · Jun 7, 2004

I bought a Mercury Nova mini lathe recently at Woodcraft. It has a 1/2 hp motor with dc variable speed controller... 8" swing. I bought the extension bed (30" between centers w/ extension bed) and also bought the outrigger... which allows you to turn on outboard side. It turns well enough but is awfully small. I'm trying to decide whether to keep it or get a little larger, stronger mini. I plan to buy a larger lathe (likely oneway 2436) in the next couple of months but want to have a good quality mini/midi sized lathe that could be transported relatively easily and could be used to turn small stuff.

I'd welcome and appreciate anyone's opinion or advice on a quality mini/midi sized lathe..... here are my requirements:

- excellent quality / precision
- small enough that it could be portable (i.e. not a 900 lb. 2436)
- good power/torque
- variable speed preferred (but not absolutely required)
- reverse would be nice (but not required)

Thanks,

Darthblader

Whit · Jun 7, 2004

Darth,

One suggestion is the Nova DVR 3000. I've had one for about a year and a half and like it a lot.

It has a 16" swing, 1.75 HP, variable speed and reversible, weighs just under 200 lbs without a stand so it's reasonably portable (well, by two people anyway). It comes stock with a 22 inch bed with extensions available in 20 inch increments to as long as you want. It seems to be a quality built machine. In well over 1000 hours of turning I've had no problems. None. The headstock swivels 180 degrees with precision stops at 45, 90 and 180 degrees. (You know, now that I think of it, I'm not sure about a 180 stop. I've never tried that, only 45 and 90.) The motor is direct drive (no belts) and variable from 100 RPM (on the latest machines) to 3500 RPMs. I've turned big (24") bowls outboard and up to about 15+ inches over the bed. I recommend you check out their website (www.technatool.com). Cost is around $1800.

Hope this is of some help.

Whit

Paul Porter · Jun 7, 2004

Darth,

I recently demo-ed on the new Jet mini with variable speed. With the power turned up to 100% on the slowest pully, I could take a 3/8" cut in wet wood and not stop the lathe. And it's a little more portable than a 2436. By the way, if you are going to order a 2436, do it now. It took 12 weeks to the day for mine to arrive. That was the longest 12 weeks of my life.

Good luck,

Andrew · Jun 7, 2004

Paul Porter said:
Darth,

I recently demo-ed on the new Jet mini with variable speed. With the power turned up to 100% on the slowest pully, I could take a 3/8" cut in wet wood and not stop the lathe. And it's a little more portable than a 2436. By the way, if you are going to order a 2436, do it now. It took 12 weeks to the day for mine to arrive. That was the longest 12 weeks of my life.

Good luck,

How was the power at slower speeds and on that same pulley for that one you worked with? I've used 3 of these VS Jet Mini's so far and the power has been terrible. At first I thought it was just a fluke but after 3 of them I'm beginning not to so I thought I'd ask you.

My demo's where just doing simple ~10" hard maple (dry) bowls. I was roughing at around 300 rpm and finishing about 800 rpm then sanding at the 500 rpm range. I was stopping it quite easily just by hand sanding the outside. Tripped the breakers on the control pad a few times amongst the 3 lathes too. I don't know how many times I stopped it while cutting. I have trouble counting that high. 😀

I am always recommending the Jet Mini because of several things but especially because it can handle a wide range of tasks. Unfortunately, from what I've experienced with this new VS model so far, I can't do that for these new models now. I do still highly recommend the non-VS Jet Mini's (and to a little lesser degree the Delta Midi). They're plenty powerful for what you can swing on it. Not like having a 5hp motor strapped to a Serious Lathe but ..... 😉

For me, this lack of power associated with the electronic variable speed really negates the benefits of having variable speed in the first place. I don't need electronic variable speed for easy, small, no-stress turnings. I don't need it for the more difficult, larger, more complicated turnings possible on a small lathe but I'd like it if it's available and sufficiently powerful. I'm hoping that my experiences were all flukes ... 3 of them .... one right after another.

Paul Porter · Jun 7, 2004

Andrew,

Come to think about it. I do remember a few problems at lower speeds. I usually use geen wood to demo (less dust, easer to turn and nice big curls of wood flying through the air). People seem to stay and watch more when there's lots of action. But you know, it didn't make me want to trade my old blue Jet Mini for the new one. I use my mini for pens mostly, so power isn't an issue.

Paul

Andrew said:
How was the power at slower speeds and on that same pulley for that one you worked with? I've used 3 of these VS Jet Mini's so far and the power has been terrible. At first I thought it was just a fluke but after 3 of them I'm beginning not to so I thought I'd ask you.

My demo's where just doing simple ~10" hard maple (dry) bowls. I was roughing at around 300 rpm and finishing about 800 rpm then sanding at the 500 rpm range. I was stopping it quite easily just by hand sanding the outside. Tripped the breakers on the control pad a few times amongst the 3 lathes too. I don't know how many times I stopped it while cutting. I have trouble counting that high. 😀

I am always recommending the Jet Mini because of several things but especially because it can handle a wide range of tasks. Unfortunately, from what I've experienced with this new VS model so far, I can't do that for these new models now. I do still highly recommend the non-VS Jet Mini's (and to a little lesser degree the Delta Midi). They're plenty powerful for what you can swing on it. Not like having a 5hp motor strapped to a Serious Lathe but ..... 😉

For me, this lack of power associated with the electronic variable speed really negates the benefits of having variable speed in the first place. I don't need electronic variable speed for easy, small, no-stress turnings. I don't need it for the more difficult, larger, more complicated turnings possible on a small lathe but I'd like it if it's available and sufficiently powerful. I'm hoping that my experiences were all flukes ... 3 of them .... one right after another.

Erwin Nistler · Jun 7, 2004

DARTHBLADER;
Does the Mercury Nova loose power at low speed of the motor?
Do you know how it compares , for power, with the Jet?
Does it run smooth, little vibration?
Is the motor quiet?
Is it well built? Do the centers line up?

I know. Lot of questions. I will appreciate opinions from anyone out there.
Thank You All.

Chuck Bjorgen · Jun 8, 2004

Darth -- I also have the 1/2 hp Mercury as my small, transportable lathe. I use it mainly for things like pens, lidded boxes, tops and other small projects. When I brought it to one of my turning club's hands-on sessions, I had trouble getting enough power to rough out a small natural edged bowl (wood was pretty dry) and also had similar problems trying to bore into a block of wood with a Forstner bit to make a confetti light base. I've heard that these smaller dc motors seem to lack the power of comparable horsepower ac motors. The comments above about the Jet mini VS seem to bear that out.

I have a larger 16-inch lathe in my shop so I'm keeping the Mercury. I think it's an excellent machine. I do have one extension but never considered having the outboard setup on it.

If you find you need a portable unit that handles larger pieces with a bit more power, maybe the standard Jet mini is your best bet. You should have no trouble selling your Mercury. As for me, the variable speed on both my lathes is important.

Darthblader · Jun 9, 2004

Does the Mercury Nova loose power at low speed of the motor?
A: So far, my experience is that it definitely does lose power at low speed ranges. There is very little torque at low ranges.

Do you know how it compares , for power, with the Jet?
A: I asked this question of the board because I don't really know... I have turned on the Jet Mini and Delta Midi and both seem to have more power and not bog down as much. I can still stop/bog down the Mercury even at high speeds if I take a moderately heavy cut depending on material. I don't remember being able to stall/bog the Jet or Delta lathes down like this.

Does it run quiet, smooth, little vibration?
A: It is VERY smooth with little viabration. I believe it is smoother and quieter than the Jet or Delta.

Is it well built? Do the centers line up?
A: It is built like a little tank... I believe it is by far best built/finished among the Mercury, Jet, Delta and other minis I've seen. The Vicmarc VL100 is also very nice. The Mercury reminds me of smaller VL100. The centers on the Mercury line up perfectly.

Ken Grunke · Jun 9, 2004

general maxi-lathe

Our AAW chapter recently purchased the General Maxi-lathe, actually a mini lathe about the same size as the Jet. Heavier than the Jet, and more solidly built--plus it's about $100 more than the Jet variable speed, but with a single-speed motor and belt drive just like the older Jet mini. It's a benchtop "portable" that takes a bit more muscle to haul around, or some type of collapsable stand with wheels to ease the burden. At just over 100 lbs without tailstock, I was barely able to hoist it up to my bench without straining my back.
But it's very well made, and smooth running. I haven't tried turning a bowl to see how much power it has, but it has a slightly lower bottom RPM than the Jets (400-ish, can't remember exactly).
And it will take almost 2" more between centers than the Jet (bed extension available), with a 10" swing.

Update: I've seen it for $299 here:
Hartville Tools