I've used this phrase before, and I did turn on a Oneway 2436 before I bought my present used one, so I didn't get any real surprises. A minor niggle- it's easy to engage the indexing pin accidentally when turning the spindle using an outboard handwheel. Scarcely a dealbreaker, just something I had to get used to. Other than that, the lathe pretty much disappears, meaning I don't have to work to make it work. On my old General 260 you had to work to engage the indexing pin and the spindle lock was spring-loaded, so I used a spring clamp to keep it engaged while loosening chucks or faceplates .Minor stuff, but it matters when you are using a machine every day. More importantly, the banjo and headstock tended to slip under pressure.
My friend has been trading up from a Laguna midi lathe. He first scored an auction bargain on a Nichols lathe, and last week brought home an early Powermatic 4224. Both quite capable lathes, but with quirks that one only discovers with use.
The Nichols banjo has the locking lever on the opposite end from the toolpost, a real annoyance for me in that I have to reach far over the ways to adjust the banjo angle or location. I have noticed in Lyle Jamieson's old videos he put a Oneway banjo on his Nichols lathe, now I know why.
The Powermatic has quite small doors in the headstock for changing the drive belt position, and the upper one is secured by a knob that has to be unscrewed for access. The banjo has 3 locations for a small diameter screw to secure the toolrest and came with 2 gyratory handles- My friend said he needed both to keep the toolrest in position (maybe he is too agressive in cutting, but no way do I want to deal with 2 screws when adjusting the toolrest). The spindle lock/indexing pin is spring-loaded and is secured with a threaded locking collar.
All of these fixed headstock lathes are substantial and will spin heavy loads all day long. I'm sure each one would work for anyone who wants that type of machine, but if you are looking at dropping substantial coin on a new lathe you owe it to yourself to get some time on the machines you are considering.
My friend has been trading up from a Laguna midi lathe. He first scored an auction bargain on a Nichols lathe, and last week brought home an early Powermatic 4224. Both quite capable lathes, but with quirks that one only discovers with use.
The Nichols banjo has the locking lever on the opposite end from the toolpost, a real annoyance for me in that I have to reach far over the ways to adjust the banjo angle or location. I have noticed in Lyle Jamieson's old videos he put a Oneway banjo on his Nichols lathe, now I know why.
The Powermatic has quite small doors in the headstock for changing the drive belt position, and the upper one is secured by a knob that has to be unscrewed for access. The banjo has 3 locations for a small diameter screw to secure the toolrest and came with 2 gyratory handles- My friend said he needed both to keep the toolrest in position (maybe he is too agressive in cutting, but no way do I want to deal with 2 screws when adjusting the toolrest). The spindle lock/indexing pin is spring-loaded and is secured with a threaded locking collar.
All of these fixed headstock lathes are substantial and will spin heavy loads all day long. I'm sure each one would work for anyone who wants that type of machine, but if you are looking at dropping substantial coin on a new lathe you owe it to yourself to get some time on the machines you are considering.
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