New Nova Neptune

[Mike Goetzke]

I just saw this last week. I'm looking to downsize from my 3520B to save shop space (plus I don't use a lathe of this caliber as much as I should). Does this look decent? I would like the MAX model for larger between center distance but without the leg set but they won't sell it that way (I want to put this on a mobile cabinet). They suggest get the basic model and add the extension but then it won't be much shorter than my 3520B without it's extension. I probably can come out many $ ahead with the Nova by selling the 3520B and accessories that I really never use.

Any help on this move appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Jim Reynolds]

The Chicago area woodturning clubs will help you sell your 3520B. I know that is is a popular model with many of the members.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

The Chicago area woodturning clubs will help you sell your 3520B. I know that is is a popular model with many of the members.

Thanks - For a few years I was a member of the Illiana Woodturners. When I'm ready I'll take your suggestion. When I started turning back then I loaded up on toys for my lathe but after few years lost interest. I have too many hobbies! Was looking, I also have a new Oneway Easy-Core, like new Carter bowl steady, and a slightly used Kobra hollower all of which may not fit the Nova lathe (or any midi-lathe).

 

[Mark Jundanian]

In addition to Illiana, there is slso Windy City Woodturners and Chicago Woodturners.

I think @Bill Blasic has a Neptune. Maybe he'll comment.

Are you attending the symposium in Raleigh? Nova/Tecnatools is supposed to be exhibiting.

 

[Doug Freeman]

The Neptune looks more than decent for a midi size, and would be my choice in that size range, but I’m horribly jaded in my opinion. I’ve had a Nova Galaxi for ~8 years. The DVR motor and control are outstanding, as is the pivoting HS - I don’t want a lathe without a pivot design. The rest of the lathe works just fine, does everything a “rest of the lathe” needs to do.

 

[Gene Stiefel]

I’m a novice turner, took a class at the local community college fall of 2024. In the class I had hands on to Jet full size and Rikon midi lathes. Got hooked and after doing my review of what was available purchased the Nova Neptune, which I’ve had for over a year now. I’m in a garage shop and have a number of machinery , did flat work for years. No room for a full size lathe, the Neptune hit the spot. No belts, pivoting headstock, solidly built with a great motor. Doing mostly bowl turning and very happy with my choice.

 

[David Hering]

Hi Mike, I am new here but I have been on the Pen Turning group IAP for many years. I bought a Neptune in Jan 2025 and have used it only for making pens and bottle stoppers at this point. I really like the full speed range of 100 to 4,000 RPM without changing a belt. It is honestly overkill for for what I have been doing so far, but I hope to do some bowl turning, etc. in the future. I have been very pleased with it so far with no problems. However, there were a couple of cosmetic items that I have had to deal with and that is it came with a few paint chips that was disappointing, especially given their premium price. They did send me some touch-up paint which was good to take care of the chips. The other item still not resolved after several emails is that the knob that locks the spindle is labeled such that the "locked" and "unlocked" lettering doesn't match the actual position of the knob. I asked for a sticker that I could place on it to correct this, but they have yet to send me one as promised. I admit I haven't followed up on this in about a year, however, If I were them, I'd be embarrassed about this oversight and want to proactively correct this. Overall, I'm very pleased with the functionality, but still these cosmetic items are annoying, especially given the premium pricing. David