Nova DVR 3000 - should I buy?

[Maggie Shapiro]

Hello! My neighbor has a Nova DVR 3000 which looks to be in brand-new or barely-used condition with a stand (probably the original stand), outrigger setup for turning up to 29" and a bed extension. I currently have a Jet 1221 VS which I love but I have been yearning for a lathe that can handle a larger swing (preferably 24" minimum). I'm not sure yet what they're asking but since it is literally down the street from me and I've been hoping for a decent larger lathe I'm strongly considering it.

I'm a litte wary since 1) this model was discontinued in 2018 and 2) Teknatool is currently going through Chapter 11. Also, I looked through a bunch of old forum posts and from what I can tell, people like the lathe but hate the blister controls. Are there any other issues with this lathe? I wasn't able to find too many recent opinions on it so I appreciate your feedback!

Thank you so much!

 

[Steve Tiedman]

I've got butterflies in my belly on this.

I don't own one, and I've got no experience with the motor technology. Others here can report a couple decades of positive use. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to discussion about this manufactuer because I don't own any of their products.

What makes me leary of the tech is that the motor and controller are built right into the headstock. All 6 lathes I've owned in nearly 30 years of turning have had the motor and controls as separate components from the lathe. If I smoke the motor, or controls, I fix or replace them, even 50 years from now. A motor turning a belt turning the wood, simple. Cheap or expensive, huge or tiny, that's what I prefer in a lathe- motor and controls (preferably no soft touch buttons and LCD screens) separate from the machine itself.

You don't mention a price- is it good enough that if future problems are irreparable (and that is a safe assumption), you can walk away from it without remorse? Get ahold of the mfr, see if they plan to support the tech parts some number of years into the future.

Best wishes on your plans.

 

[Doug Freeman]

I have a Nova Galaxi. My brother found a used DVR XP a few months ago. I think the same motor/controls as the 3000, but heavier cast legs.

The discontinuation in ‘18 would not concern me, Nova had improved the controls with the Galaxi/Saturn models, and sales of the 3000 were probably very low. Nova still supports with parts, though the controls upgrade is no longer available. Based on my ownership for 7 yrs, and many forum comments (here and others), its a reliable motor/control system.

I dont mind the blister buttons - some adhesive cabinet door cushions help.

Lot of people are leery about the Straitech motor and controls. The concern is it could be very expensive to replace vs a std vfd control and motor. I would not trade my Galaxi for a different same size lathe with vfd - the dvr motor has significant more low speed torque. Only time can tell how truly reliable the motor/controls are, so far they have been perfect.

Price is the deciding factor.

 

[Maggie Shapiro]

I've got butterflies in my belly on this.

I don't own one, and I've got no experience with the motor technology. Others here can report a couple decades of positive use. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to discussion about this manufactuer because I don't own any of their products.

What makes me leary of the tech is that the motor and controller are built right into the headstock. All 6 lathes I've owned in nearly 30 years of turning have had the motor and controls as separate components from the lathe. If I smoke the motor, or controls, I fix or replace them, even 50 years from now. A motor turning a belt turning the wood, simple. Cheap or expensive, huge or tiny, that's what I prefer in a lathe- motor and controls (preferably no soft touch buttons and LCD screens) separate from the machine itself.

You don't mention a price- is it good enough that if future problems are irreparable (and that is a safe assumption), you can walk away from it without remorse? Get ahold of the mfr, see if they plan to support the tech parts some number of years into the future.

Best wishes on your plans.

Thanks Steve, that is a good consideration, and not one I had thought of before. I'm not sure what the price is yet, so hopefully it'll be enticing enough that I won't mind replacing the lathe if need be. Simplicity in construction (and repair!) is always a good thing!!

 

[Maggie Shapiro]

I have a Nova Galaxi. My brother found a used DVR XP a few months ago. I think the same motor/controls as the 3000, but heavier cast legs.

The discontinuation in ‘18 would not concern me, Nova had improved the controls with the Galaxi/Saturn models, and sales of the 3000 were probably very low. Nova still supports with parts, though the controls upgrade is no longer available. Based on my ownership for 7 yrs, and many forum comments (here and others), its a reliable motor/control system.

I dont mind the blister buttons - some adhesive cabinet door cushions help.

Lot of people are leery about the Straitech motor and controls. The concern is it could be very expensive to replace vs a std vfd control and motor. I would not trade my Galaxi for a different same size lathe with vfd - the dvr motor has significant more low speed torque. Only time can tell how truly reliable the motor/controls are, so far they have been perfect.

Price is the deciding factor.

Thank you so much Doug, I appreciate the insight! I am planning to test out the lathe this week so I'll report back if I have any further questions!

 

[Steve Tiedman]

Food for thought- can that control panel assembly be bought and shelved in case it were ever needed? If it is still available now, it won't be around forever, and having one waiting in the wings would be smart insurance.

If you never use it, and you decide to sell the lathe down the road, including it in that future sale would be reassuring to your future buyer.

 

[Maggie Shapiro]

Good advice! I have no idea if I can find on since they were discontinued 6 years ago, but I will take a look. Thank you!

 

[R Henrickson]

If it's that close, see if you can spend maybe half an hour turning on it. I have never turned on a Nova lathe, so I can't comment on pros/cons.

 

[Dave Hulett]

I've got butterflies in my belly on this.

I don't own one, and I've got no experience with the motor technology. Others here can report a couple decades of positive use. Honestly, I don't pay much attention to discussion about this manufactuer because I don't own any of their products.

What makes me leary of the tech is that the motor and controller are built right into the headstock. All 6 lathes I've owned in nearly 30 years of turning have had the motor and controls as separate components from the lathe. If I smoke the motor, or controls, I fix or replace them, even 50 years from now. A motor turning a belt turning the wood, simple. Cheap or expensive, huge or tiny, that's what I prefer in a lathe- motor and controls (preferably no soft touch buttons and LCD screens) separate from the machine itself.

You don't mention a price- is it good enough that if future problems are irreparable (and that is a safe assumption), you can walk away from it without remorse? Get ahold of the mfr, see if they plan to support the tech parts some number of years into the future.

Best wishes on your plans.

I have had a Nova DVR-XP for 10 years and love it. No belts, a pivoting headstock and lots of torque. The controller is built into the headstock, but a few screws to remove the cover and a couple of connector wires and it can be replaced within 30 minutes. I know because I've done it on two Nova DVR-XPs virtually identical to the 3000. (I upgraded my DVR-XP and our clubs with a new controller board with the same features as the 3000.) And while Nova USA has filed chapter 11, the parent company in NZ is alive and well. I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[Dean Center]

The operation of a DVR lathe is quite different than what you're used to. By all means, try it out. Make sure the novelty (OK, strangeness) isn't your deciding factor. Lots of folks are happy with theirs, and others just didn't like them. You need to figure out which you are.

I would also ask owners of similar lathes whether it's realistic to try a 22" piece on the lathe. The throw may be adequate, but what about other aspects? The outrigger for instance, or the vibration when a big piece is mounted on a rotated headstock.

This may turn out to be just exactly the easy, convenient, bargain lathe you've been wanting. Or it might be not quite what you want and, even though it's close at hand, you should keep looking. You're approaching this just right.

 

[Bill Blasic]

I have that lathe DVR3000, I have had it for almost 25 years. That is a 16" lathe and I also have the outboard turning unit like the one you are looking at. I have never used the outboard turning unit other than to hold the knock out bar. A 16" piece (bowl or platter) will not fit in most kitchen cabinets so I never make a lot of them. I have never had a problem with the blister controls they work just fine and I have no problems moving between my other lathes and coming back to this one and using the buttons. I have mine running on 220 volts which was very easy to change from 115 volts (gives you a little more HP). The main difference between the DVR-XP and the DVR 3000 is the bed. the 3000 has straight sides and the XP has slanted sides. My DVR has been used for at least 100 hands on demonstrations by at least 30 different people without problems. I suggest you try it out and see what it feels like, you might be surprised.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

I have a Nova 1624-ii, bought new in 2017. I swapped the motor with the DVR upgrade in 2018. I also added the outrigger, bed extension and swing away hinge. It still sits on the original lightweight steel legs (rather than the cast iron leg upgrade).

I did not care for the blister buttons, but solved that problem by applying bump stops (cabinet bumpers) available from hardware or hobby stores. I only put them on the on & off buttons. (I like the foam ones best).

I'm very happy with my lathe. I love the DVR, especially the push button presets for speed. I believe the speed range on the 3000 is from 100 to 3000 rpm, which covers everything from hand sanding to pens. There are a lot of programmable features (so you want to get/download a manual).

I love the rotating head stock, and would not want a lathe without one. Mine has detents so it easily returns to the zero degree position.

The possibility of an electronics failure is not a big worry for me, personally.

A lot of pluses. But sitting on the steel legs mine is a lighter lathe. I have done some outboard turning of smaller pieces, but I don't know how it would handle a 24" workpiece, especially if unbalanced.

 

[Marc Banka]

I’ve had a nova dvr2024 lathe for 15 years, use it about three hours each day. Just out of warranty a capacitor in the drive electronics blew up. They didn’t have the board for my machine, out of warranty and discontinued so they built one for me. I had to bug them to stay on it, but they got it to me within a week. I had to install the new stuff, which was straight forward. It wouldn’t run at first code “0”. I reseated the connection for the rotor sensor, which cured the problem. The only problem I’ve had in 15 years.

The low speed torque is great. The speed range is 100-5000 rpm. Not sure why 5000-seems kind of fast. This is an extremely quiet lathe! Doesn’t matter to most, but I really dislike noises, especially machine noise for no reason. Being beltless means that the spindle turns completely free when the lathe is off. May not mean anything, an observation.

As I mentioned at the top that this lathe model seemed to be short lived. I think the problem was putting a 20” headstock on a 16 inch base. Lots of power and capability, but not heavy enough or rigid enough. I’ve used the outboard features, and they work well. One needs to be careful with balance (I learned quite well how to get large blanks close to balanced before beginning).

The bubble buttons take some getting used to. Adding something to the on and off buttons help for some. Note though, that this is a tactile thing. The buttons are quite reliable and sealed. No having to take apart to clear dust and attempt to seal.

It the price is good I would be jumping on it without hesitation.

 

[Bill Blasic]

I have been able to upgrade my DVR3000 through all the upgrades over the years including the interface assembly (with the speed knob and 5000 rpm upgrade). I was in a Woodcraft store a little after I had bought the DVR and in an aisle standing in a tall box with Nova on the box with a sticker saying $10. I knew what it was immediately and bought it. It was the top of the Nova stand (like the picture above) but no legs. Since I was building my own stand this was perfect. Straight steel with all the holes for mounting and that is how it has been mounted all these years and is rock solid. If the price were right I would buy the above lathe in an instant.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

@Maggie Shapiro , one of the questions to ask the seller is what upgrades have been done to that particular lathe.

 

[Maggie Shapiro]

Thank you all so much for your wonderful advice! I really appreciate your wisdom and encouragement. The seller is going through a tough time right now so this purchase is on hold indefinitely. I'll let you know if I decide to purchase