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Which Oneway Banjo for 3520B

Leo Lopez

Leo Lopez

Joined
Aug 31, 2017
Messages
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Location
Austin, TX
I know this topic has been discussed extensively in the past, but I would appreciate further clarity. I have read posts from those who recommend Oneway's 20" Banjo on their PM3520B lathe. However, when I tried to order this banjo today, Oneway responded by saying their 16" Banjo is the correct one for this lathe. I am thus confused and don't want to order the wrong banjo. Help Please, Thanks
 
Personally I prefer the Powermatic Banjo. when i lock a Oneway banjo It seems I always have to really pull to unlock it. I don't push down hard to lock it and they do hold very well but unlocking has just always been hard. Maybe it's just me but it's happened on more than one lathe. On rare occasions I have had my Powermatic tool posts rotate so I just tighten the handle a little more. I've demoed on 2 Robust lathes and they only take 2 fingers to unlock. Don't know if they would fit the powermatic but that would be my choice if I was going that route.
 
I prefer the ONEWAY banjo. ONEWAY has sold a bunch so take their advice.

The ONEWAY bango is easy to lock and unlock with two fingers. It also has the best post locking mechanism and it can be rotated so that the handle locks in any position you like. It slides easily and locks positively.

The Robust is a fine banjo too. I don't care for the tool post lock. It is the same one used on the first powermatic 3520s - two nuts on a screw that squeeze the post. Unless you unwind the post locking mechanism a couple of full turns these nuts slide into the hole and block the tool post then you have to open the lock and push the nuts out of the way with your finger. Also always keep a rest in the banjo or the nuts will get into the hole when you bump,or move the banjo. Like any quirk on a machine it is something owners learn to do. The robust locks positively and is easy to move too.

On the ONEWAY I just lift the handle as I slide the rest in and lock it by letting go. I can
 
hockenbery said:
I prefer the ONEWAY banjo. ONEWAY has sold a bunch so take their advice.

The ONEWAY bango is easy to lock and unlock with two fingers. It also has the best post locking mechanism and it can be rotated so that the handle locks in any position you like. It slides easily and locks positively.

The Robust is a fine banjo too. I don't care for the tool post lock. It is the same one used on the first powermatic 3520s - two nuts on a screw that squeeze the post. Unless you unwind the post locking mechanism a couple of full turns these nuts slide into the hole and block the tool post then you have to open the lock and push the nuts out of the way with your finger. Also always keep a rest in the banjo or the nuts will get into the hole when you bump,or move the banjo. Like any quirk on a machine it is something owners learn to do. The robust locks positively and is easy to move too.

On the ONEWAY I just lift the handle as I slide the rest in and lock it by letting go. I can
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, so do you have the 16" or 20" Oneway banjo?
 
Leo Lopez said:
Thanks for the info, so do you have the 16" or 20" Oneway banjo?
Click to expand...

We( sherry is a turner too) have three oneways. Two 24" and a 10".
We have been dealing with ONEWAY since 1994 when we bought a termite.

I suggest you listen to oneway.
They know their tools and support their customers quite well.
 
hockenbery said:
Unless you unwind the post locking mechanism a couple of full turns these nuts slide into the hole and block the tool post then you have to open the lock and push the nuts out of the way with your finger....
Click to expand...

I haven't encountered that problem unless I bump the handle while there isn't anything in the hole. I'm not familiar with the Oneway so I can't make a comparison. I like the Robust's wedge lock feature, the ratcheting handle, and that it can be quickly moved from one side to the other.
 
I will not disupute the quality of Oneway. I have had many conversations with them at the shows and they are great people and their customer support is excellent. Maybe my problem is just the particular lathes I have been on. So go with Al's advice.
 
Thanks to Carl Ford at Carl Ford's Woodturning Blog, I now understand where the confusion was coming from. Carl suggested the problem may be Oneway assuming that I, as a PM 3520B owner, was purchasing their banjo to fit a collection of PM tool rests with longer posts. PM's longer posts require a shorter banjo stem like the one on Oneway's 16" banjo. However, if you are not planning on using PM's tool rests, Oneway's 20" banjo with the longer stem is the one to buy. I called Oneway again this morning and they confirmed Carl's suspicion. I just purchased the lathe and I do not have a collection of PM tool rests. In my case, Oneway's 20" Banjo No. 2407 is the one to buy. Thanks again to everyone.
 
I have the Powermatic 3520C.
Any new information on this subject? I am looking at purchasing the 20" swing 2407 one-way banjo soon.
I have both long post and short post robust tool rests, a Steve sinner tool rest that has a shorter post, and 1 d-way round bar tool rest for boxes.
I figure with the 7-1/2 inch height of the 2407 either length post should work (long or short).
I do realize the PM tool rest will not work on the one-way 2407 but If I really needed it I could just switch back to the PM banjo.
 
I have the 20” banjo on a 3520c and use Robust and Oneway tool rests with both long and short posts. The issue is the PM tool rest is too tall from the top of the post to the top of the tool rest.

I’m very happy with my Oneway banjo. Never slips. I did have the problem of being difficult to unlock, but a tiny bit of oil stopped that.

The lock for the tool post works great. It’s not a simple screw hitting the post. Doesn’t mark the post, holds great, and never interferes with switching tool rests

Only issue I have is the banjo locking handle hits the lathe ways in some positions. I need to be careful to put the banjo at an angle when working on small spindles.
 
Mike Novak said:
Only issue I have is the banjo locking handle hits the lathe ways in some positions. I need to be careful to put the banjo at an angle when working on small spindles.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the feedback and valuble information.

Anyone else here have that problem?
Is that handle not adjustable to lock in differrent positions?
On the powermatic you just adjust the locking nut underneath to alter the location of the lock handle in relation to the bed ways.
 
Greg, I have nothing new to provide, but for anyone here is the link to see both the 20" banjo and the 24" banjo.

2000 Series Accessories

oneway.ca oneway.ca

20", #2407, 7.5" tall and 16" long.
24", #2683A, 8.75" tall and 18" long.

The height should be a self-evident comparison to someone's current banjo. The length could be a bit vague in that you'd want to know the full movement distance, perpendicular to the centerline of the bed ways, toward the operator and away, of both your PM banjo and the Oneway banjo. If we knew the travel distances of each of the Oneways, then a real comparison could be made against your PM.

The overall length of any banjo casting can be misleading for this purpose. It's the previously mentioned travel distance each way of the bed centerline, dictated by the banjo cam shaft length and position, and anchoring block, within the banjo casting that we'd want to know. Then whichever aftermarket banjo dimensions and travel specs matches your OEM banjo the closest would be the right choice. I'd assume Oneway has determined these things to guide a buyer to the best choice for a given lathe.
 
PM standard banjo for 3520C
H= 5 3/4 "
L= 18 7/8"
Stick out = 10 5/8" and 10 3/4" (Travel from center line of lathe with being flush on the bed ways)
 
Just a small update, I found info on another forum that if you go with the 2407 oneway banjo on the 3520C the robust comfort rests will not work and you have to go with the low profile version of rests from Robust.
Any truth to this?
I have at least 4 "comfort" tool rests that would not work on the 2407 if this holds true.
I would need to get the 16 inch version H0082.
 
Mike Novak said:
Here is a pic with comfort rest and handle in position where it’s close to interfering.
Click to expand...
H0035 banjo was the unit that appeared on the originally produced 1640 Oneways. H0035 look similar to Mike’s 20” version in that the upright portion of the banjo is in line with the center line of the base. Later models of the 1640 come with a banjo that has the upright portion offset in relation to the center line of the base. H0082 must be the part number of the current 16” banjo with the offset. With that in mind, I wonder about the relationship between the comfort rest and the two different banjos produced for the 1640. I’m sure Robust would have that info.
 
I just pulled the trigger and ordered a 20" 2407 one-way banjo for my PM 3520 C. I will post pics when it comes in using various tool rests and information to help keep this thread information permanent for any body in the future who may have the same questions I had.
Of course one-way manufacturing recommended the 16" Banjo H0082 for 16" swing lathes as others have already mentioned.
One thing I had some concern with was the dimensions for the 2407 banjo are 7.5 inches tall and 16" length, While the PM OEM part is 18.75 inches length.
Shipping is not cheap but I still can't drive up there and get if for what it costs to ship LOL...
The PM 3520C banjo seems heavy and difficult to maneuver around when turning boxs and small spindle work, so I am hoping this new banjo will be more nimble.
 
UPdate:
One-way shipped quick but it has been stuck at the border since 9-26-25.
Still waiting - no movement in 8 days.
 
Got it today from the little brown truck.
First impressions: I really like it!
A lot lighter and easier to manipulate than the bulky PM banjo.
I will Keep my PM banjo for maybe really large bowls where I need the heft.
It appears the robust comfort rest will be no problem for the 20" 2407 model, but as I already knew the original PM tool rest won't work on this model of Oneway banjo.
Very little pressure is needed to lock it all down. and it is very securely locked in.
 

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The Oneway banjo is top tier in my opinion......but, it could never do what I need a banjo to do.

Since I am a faceplate turner for the 2nd turn of seasoned bowls.... I need a dogleg banjo like the 3520c has in order to get around the back side of the bowl. (I use a chuck to do the initial roughing of bowls to be seasoned.)

The straight line Oneway banjo just couldn't cut it for me.

1760486118377.png 1760486173891.png

=o=
 
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