Robust American Beauty vs Powermatic 3520c.......pros and cons

[Bill Boehme]

But.....you know it, and I know it.....that I'd be happy with a new lathe, but I just don't see where any improvement in my lathe turning results are in the cards!

That is pretty much my thought, but while mulling this thought over in my mind, I wondered if I were to go from something like THIS to a higher end lathe such as the Oneway, Powermatic, Jet, Vicmarc, or Robust would it make a difference? I think it would, but then it really isn't a fair comparison. The Woodfast, on the other hand, is a solid well made machine so replacing it would be mostly based on "want" rather than "need". My original lathe was better than the HF, but not by much so upgrading wasn't a tough decision.

 

[john lucas]

The lathes with more mass make a huge difference. Each of my lathes were fairly heavy often with extra mass added. I could not believe the difference when I moved up to the Powermatic. Back when I first started I had a Shopsmith. Eventually bought a Delta similar.to that Grizzly. It was a good improvement but I didnt realize how bad it was until it broke and parts were back ml ordered. I bought a Nova comet to get me by. Even though it was a smaller lathe it ran so much smoother my turning improved.over night. Sold those 2 and stepped.up to the Nova.3000.

 

[William Rogers]

In my experience “need” usually wins out over “want", However I am very cleaver turning “want” into “need”. I started with a Delta 10” swing (called Midi lathe back then now a mimi lathe) and had fun turning small things. Then I wanted variable speed. This was easily turned into a need and hence the Jet 10” swing lathe. Well, then I wanted more swing. That was easy to turn into a need. Money tight I bought a PM 90 at a school auction and 12” swing. Pre historic Woodfast. Then I wanted even more swing. I successfully raised the PM 90 to have 18” swing. With larger blanks I wanted a slower speed than 350 rpm and didn’t want to put a new motor or VFD on that lathe, so I needed a “modern” lathe. Plus the PM 90 would walk because of the small foot print (16”) The Laguna Revo 18-36 seemed to fit the bill. The Laguna is a great lathe and really enjoyed it. This is where the want and need are very close and maybe the want won out. I replaced the Laguna with the Robust AB. I think I have solved all my wants and needs with this lathe. What I learned from each of these lathes was ergonomic consideration are really important. When I raised the PM 90 the spindle height went from 42” to 45”. For me this was not as comfortable as 42”. The Laguna showed me the sliding headstock was I feature that I really liked. I also learned that I didn’t want to be taking the tail stock off and on even though the Laguna was somewhat light. With the Robust, I have the spindle height set to 43” that is ideal for me. The tailstock swing away is fantastic on the AB. Large leg splay and didn’t want to have to add ballast. The main thing I learned was being comfortable when turning is very important. Better turner? At least a happy and comfortable turner.

 

[Odie]

Odie, while I don't have a Sweet 16 I do have an American Beauty. My offer still stands, if you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods you're more than welcome to stop in and turn for a day and try it out.

Hello Damon.......my apology, but I saw this offer to see your AB the other day, and forgot to respond at the time. This is very kind of you, and I may contact you sometime in the future about this. At this point in time, with the addition of a couple Robust banjos that solve the only real issues I was having with my Woodfast, I have put on hold any future purchase of another lathe. Thank you sincerely for the offer........

-----odie-----