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Jon McElwain
02-24-2009, 2:58 PM
I'm torn between the Oneway 2436 and the VB36. I know, tough times, but a guy's got to make a decision right? Anyway, I currently turn on a Lodge and Davis Fox Monitor Lathe (circa 1880, converted to electric motor with belt adjusted variable speed and used as a wood lathe, 12" spindle height, 70" bed), and a 15 y/o 12" Delta variable speed. Neither are outboard lathes and I need to turn some larger projects.

I am leaning towards the Oneway because it can be used as an outboard lathe and it has good inboard capability that can be expanded. A Oneway with the outboard options are still cheaper than a VB36 without the optional tailstock assebly.

The other option is to get the VB36 w/o the tailstock as I'm not sure I can afford the tailstock option.

I know the VB36 is probably a much better lathe, but I think it might be more lathe than I'll ever need. Of course I've tried to justify it in my mind, however, when I see profesional turners using a Powermatic, a Oneway, or some other lathe, turning things larger than I have ever thought of turning, I start thinking, okay, I can be happy with the Oneway!

Also, does anyone know the weight of either machine? My L&D is over 500 lbs and I have not had it wobble at all, but I've also dever turned more than about 22" dia. before.

I don't know of anyone in Juneau with either lathe, and being a landlocked community, traveling anywhere to try one of these machines out is probably not going to happen.

Your thoughts are appreciated, comments from those who have turned on these lathes even more appreciated.

Burt Alcantara
02-24-2009, 3:14 PM
You may want to take a look at the Robust Sweet 16 (http://www.turnrobust.com/The_Lathes.html). It has a removable gap then will allow you to turn up to 32". It is less expensive then the Oneway and has all the bells and whistles one would expect with a high end lathe.

Burt

Joe Bradshaw
02-24-2009, 3:16 PM
Jon, I have and enjoy using the Oneway 2436. I have had it for about 4 yrs. now. It is one awesome piece of machinery, plus One way is tops in customer service. The 2436 weighs about 850 lbs, but I have made it jump up and down with an unbalanced blank on too high a speed. I have never turned on the other lathe you mentioned. I think that the responses that your get will reflect the bias of the owners of these lathes. I am sure that you will enjoy either one of these lathes.

curtis rosche
02-24-2009, 3:22 PM
if i were you, go for the vb-36. its bigger. and better. and you would be the only one on this forum that has one. and then you will never need a larger lathe because you have the largest.


what are you going to do with the old lathe.? pm me if you are getting rid of it.

Ralph Lindberg
02-24-2009, 3:28 PM
John
Additional thoughts:

the VB is a "weak" lathe for spindle work. If you go that route you are just about locked into bowl only work.
The VB is a monster bowl lathe, but do you think you will ever need to turn a bowl that big around.
Any parts, for any, would have to be flown in (at least for you) but both Oneway and Robust are at least on the same continent.
Besides the Robust Sweet 16, look at it's big brother. It's what I would buy, given deeper pockets

sascha gast
02-24-2009, 3:48 PM
depends how honest you are with what you really gonna turn.
if you ever wanna do spindles, well the VB without tailstock is crap for that.
even if you do plenty of hollow forms, you gotta attach steadyrests and bowl steadys somewhere, right?? I think we can agree that at times they help a great deal.
you might also miss out on some accessories that are commonly used for "regular" lathes.
I turn mainly bowls but still love using the headstock at times, just for safety.
So if you go VB36, then go all out and get everything.
if not, load up a 2436 if you have the space. it's a great lathe, but I wouldn't want to do a lot of hollowing because I just don't wanna lean over the bed that much. I talked to David Marks when I was in his shop and he said sometimes he just puts a blanket on the ways and sits on the lathe for hollowing. little too kinky for my taste, :D but why not. if you only use the outboard option on the 2436 you might as well go with the VB36.

and now combining all the reasons/arguments is how I ended up with a Stubby 1000.
I know they don't bring the 1000 to the US anymore, but I would even go with the 750s.
best of both worlds, fantastic lathe, every accessory fits, and I just love the footprint.

that's my story

Judy Kingery
02-24-2009, 3:56 PM
Jon,

I researched a year or two and bought the VB-36; that is one helluva cadillac machine and I've never regretted the decision at all. I have a short tailstock which meets any demand for spindle turning I have, but then I prefer HF's, platters, bowls and the such anyway.

If you get a chance to turn on both, do so; that'll help you decide which best suits your needs I'd bet!

Best wishes in your decision,

Jude

Malcolm Tibbetts
02-24-2009, 4:19 PM
I turn on a VB-36, with the "long" tailstock option - I'm quite happy with the machine. At times, I wish it had a longer spindle capacity and there are times when I wish the tailstock rods were not in the way so I could more easily turn larger diameters (the rods are removable), but it's a pain in the... to remove them. All the lathes mentioned are very good machines; it just depends upon your anticipated needs.

curtis rosche
02-24-2009, 4:33 PM
keep one of the lathes you have for spindle work, and get the vb-36 for bowls

John Shuk
02-24-2009, 5:50 PM
Two very different and excellent machines. I suggest you spend a bit more time figuring out what your style requires. That is a whole bunch of money to spend unless you are absolutely sure of your individual needs.

charlie knighton
02-24-2009, 6:20 PM
but a guy's got to make a decision right?


i have not had the opportunity to turn on either one, but it sounds like you have plenty of room

when you have choices, it implies you could make a mistake, but with these choices, either one is a good choice

Harvey Mushman
02-24-2009, 6:25 PM
Jon.....I have a 2436 Oneway. The choice is ultimately yours. Strongly consider what you may be doing in the future and which machine will adapt to your needs.

My Oneway has turned everything that I have asked it to. But, next year, my turning interests may be something that I haven't yet thought of. The VB36 is a beefy machine with some hefty horsepwoer on board. It may not be quite as versital as the 2436.

Both are great machines. I chose the Oneway because of the customer service and the adaptability.....not to mention that I was able to get some custom features that few other manufacturers offer.

Gary Max
02-24-2009, 7:17 PM
"but I think it might be more lathe than I'll ever need"

No such thing as to much Lathe:)

Mike Spanbauer
02-24-2009, 7:45 PM
Oliver #22 Pattern Makers ;)

Of course, moving it almost requires a train car.

There was a VB36 fully loaded for sale in Atlanta for a song (less than 1/2 price fully equipped) just in the last month or so over at the AAWG forum. Worth looking into as even shipping from at to AK has to be significantly less and you could have a maxed out VB (long spindles, outboard, etc) for like $7k total.

mike

Jeff Luedloff
02-24-2009, 8:27 PM
I had the same problem but i also was looking at the stubby lathe in the mix..well all said in done the Oneway 2436 3hp is in my shop and i love it..vacuum system with it sweet...Jeff

Jim Becker
02-24-2009, 8:31 PM
I wanted "big" capacity inboard without a massive size machine...Stubby got the call.

Scott Conners
02-24-2009, 9:41 PM
Personally the Stubby is at the top of my list, though the VB36 is in the top 3. Have you considered the Serious lathe? http://www.seriouslathe.com/wood-lathes.php
25" swing, 42" between centers, 44" outboard (outboard tooling is supposed to be available spring 2009, I'd give them a call and see what's what), 1500 lbs of cast iron.

Reed Gray
02-25-2009, 1:54 PM
I up graded from a PM almost a year ago. I didn't even consider the Oneway or the Serious because neither had a sliding headstock. This was important because my lathe space in my shop is in a corner, so turning off the back side of the headstock is not an option. Perhaps I am prejudiced because of 8 years on the PM. I didn't consider the Stubby. Just didn't look right to me, but from all I have heard, it is an excellent lathe. I was down to the VB36, and the Robust. I went with the Robust. If I was turning only bowls, I would get the VB36. It will handle spindles, but really it is a bowl lathe. I do turn some spindles and hollow forms, and wanted a longer bed, so got a bed extension. The Robust is made in the USA which also influenced me a bit. Weighs in at about 750, all said and done. The mobility kit that comes with it makes it simple to move. The legs are also extendable. I had my PM up on a 4 x 4 to get it to height for me.
robo hippy

Wyatt Holm
02-25-2009, 2:47 PM
Out of those two I would say vb36. However I really like my Vicmarc. It can do almost everything both of those other lathes can do. I believe the price is lower also.

John Gornall
02-25-2009, 3:41 PM
Jon,

Island Woodcraft down the coast from you on Vancouver Island sells Oneway and usually has the 2436 on the floor. Check out their website.

Happen to know any fishing boats, or others that go up and down the coast? Island Woodcraft is only a couple of blocks from the ocean.

David Lancaster
02-25-2009, 9:09 PM
Hi Jon

I have two 2436 Oneways and have turned a few large items over the years on them and know they will handle anything you can give them. Here are some turnings that I did for Coldwater Creek, 100 turnings that weighed 250-300 lbs each. I do better on the phone than the computer If you would like to talk lathes give me a call www.heirloombowls.com

charlie knighton
02-26-2009, 8:52 AM
David, very impressive setup, you hoist your blank with wood thongs? that is what it looks like, i have seen ice thongs of yesteryear, but wood thongs would work very well

Jon McElwain
02-26-2009, 8:55 PM
Thanks everyone for great advice and lots to think about. I know it doesn't totally make a lot of logical sense, but the look of a machine is a big deal to me. The Stubby, some of the others just don't do it for me. I think I'm going to have to go for the Oneway. I'll do my best to locate one that I can turn on, but if I can't I'll rely on the many folks who love them for the quality. They also have some innovative options and accessories, a fully functioning outboard bowl feature, the capacity to turn spindles well, and they are pleasing to the eye. Bigger and better is great and probably points to the VB36, but my motto has always been "wisdom before pride." Sascha - thanks for the honesty check. Again the stubby is a great lathe, but the outboard feature is pretty critical for me. There's always the Laguna Pinnacle, but again, no ourboard. Charlie - I don't want to sound like some sort of over priveleged woodturner buying a big expensive piece os iron - lets just say almost all my machines are hand me downs, and this will be *by far* the shinniest tool in the shop! Mike - as far as the Oliver #22 - I've got the space, but my door is too small! I'm thinking of remodeling the shop to include an overhead garage door... Scott - don't know much about the Serious Lathe looks heavy, but again, no ourboard turning feature. David - impressive picture! I almost feel guilty buying the same lathe as a guy who turns a thousand bowls a year, and who has to store 50 of them on pallats!!

Again, thanks all for the comments, it is helping a lot in the process.

Jim Becker
02-26-2009, 9:25 PM
With this class of machine, I think it's absolutely essential that you turn on your target(s) before you make the investment--even if it costs you a plane ticket. You're looking at plunking down $5-6K and will likely have to live with your choice for a long time! While I appreciate your love of "the look", how it feels when you are turning the type of things you plan on turning is far, far more important. That's what ruled out most of the machines I considered after turning on them...I couldn't stand comfortably and in balance where I prefer to stand at those lathes.

charlie knighton
02-26-2009, 10:12 PM
Jon, i just thank you for including us in your decision, having two other lathes and the weather that you live with, woodturning is probably an important part of your life, hope to see some of your turnings

its an interesting thread, sort of a fantasy of mine, who knows what's in the future for any of us

Jon McElwain
02-27-2009, 12:26 AM
With this class of machine, I think it's absolutely essential that you turn on your target(s) before you make the investment................ how it feels when you are turning the type of things you plan on turning is far, far more important.

Okay, I guess I needed to hear that again. This isn't a table saw that I'll be standing at for 2-3 minutes at a time making a few cuts, or a planer that I'll be mindlessly feeding wood through. Spending significant time at a machine means it needs to fit your feel and style *just* right. I think I get it. :)

Charley - I agree that this is an interesting thread - probably some of the best comments on the subject I have read. Again, thanks all.

Reed Gray
02-27-2009, 12:20 PM
Jon,
I am curious about one thing. You mention several times about outboard turning abilities. Why is that so important to you? With a sliding headstock, out board isn't necessary, you just slide the headstock down to the far end and turn off that end. It does the same thing. I have never turned outboard. Isn't it a left handed turn? Do you need separate face plates and chuck inserts?
robo hippy

David Lancaster
02-27-2009, 2:00 PM
The reason that I chose the lathe that I use rather than one of the many fine lathes on the market today. First of all dependability and how easy it was to work with. replacement parts are available locally just a couple days away from a manufacturer with a long reputation. In the last few years there have been several companies that have gone out of business and parts for their lathes are no longer available.
The 2436 controller is one of the finest available and mounted in a airtight box out of the way not behind the headstock to be filled with sanding dust as on some machines ,the spindle is turned ground and polished and hardened. Available in a variety of HP options, mine is the 3hp and stainless ways with the extra long outboard. As far as a sliding headstock that is the last thing that I want on a lathe,it might be OK on a hobby lathe but not on a lathe that will turn larger items. (had the chance to turn on a Powermatic with one while demoing in Louisville ,took only a few minutes to loosen) saw nothing about alignment problems. you want your work over the heaviest part of your lathe to eliminate vibration the headstock. The spindle is threaded with the same right hand threads on both the inboard and outboard sides so it uses all the same faceplates and chucks. When turning outboard you put the lathe in reverse and turn the same as you would if wou were inboard. The toolrest and tailstock are very user friendly and precision aligned. The last thing I want is a toolrest that rides on the floor in the chips and shavings that fall there. I forgot the bearings, the bearings on the oneway are four heavy duty bearings paired into two matched sets that will withstand a tremendious load. I have put over ,well I can't tell you because you won't believe me tens of thousands of lbs. on my lathe without any problems. The bearings on a VB require you to add oil and the is need for adjustments adjustments,they are a bushing not a bearing.
I make my living turning bowls and have two 2436 lathes and a 1224 for my grandson if I thought the was a better lathe on the market I would sell these in a minute and get it. Sorry if I came off to strong but I do have strong feelings about people getting the story from someone who stands behind one eight hours a day not just from the weekend hobbiest that would do just as good on a small lathe
I really didn't want to write this but I hope it is helpful to some of you and I'm sure you will be happy with your new lathe what ever it ends up being.
Everyone you ask that has invested thousands of dollars in something better say they like it, have you ever met someone that did'nt?
Included a picture of my grandson Corbin who is eight years old and already has his own 1224

Jon McElwain
02-27-2009, 2:15 PM
Jon,
I am curious about one thing. You mention several times about outboard turning abilities. Why is that so important to you? With a sliding headstock, out board isn't necessary, you just slide the headstock down to the far end and turn off that end. It does the same thing. I have never turned outboard. Isn't it a left handed turn? Do you need separate face plates and chuck inserts?
robo hippy


The Oneway has a reversible motor and outboard spindle threads to match the inboard spindle thread. It is totally interchangeable. I suppose you're right about a sliding headstock, but a lot of the bigger machines don't have a sliding headstock, and I don't want the hassle of removing the tail stock then sliding the headstock down the bed every time I turn a bowl. I do a lot of spindle and a lot of bowl turning and don't want to have to set up the machine every time I change. With the Oneway, you can leave your spindle tooling on the bed and then turn bowls etc. on the outboard side. Right now, I'll put a box on my larger lathe and put a lid on the smaller lathe and sort of work on both back and forth until I get both pieces looking the way I want them. I've got a little ADD tendancy, so I'm all over the shop like that sometimes. Also, this keeps my tools in a better central location - all near the headstock. Right now I've got two magnetic tool holders - one above each lathe. I'm constantly migrating tools from one lathe to the other. Wait - maybe I just need two of each! :D

Anyone else have outboard turning comments? I'm sure everyone who has turned a hollow form on the inboard side has either "mounted" the lathe to get the right angle or has simply walked around to the other side. Am I the only one?

Mike Spanbauer
02-27-2009, 3:18 PM
Great pic of your Grandson David. I've admired your work and followed your success some for a while (long before I possessed a lathe). The Oneway has one heck of a reputation, that's for sure. David Marks has pretty much the same opinion as you on the lathe as well, although he turns outboard frequently with those wall saucers he makes (36-60" forms).

I think that this discussion emphasizes Jim's point about getting some actual time on the very units you are considering. Everyones turning style is a bit different. Reed is a professional turner and finds the sliding headstock indispensible (and his work is excellent too) and David turns some monstrously large inboard pieces.

Shame you're so far north, a road trip would be in order to hit some shops up and get some time on these machines. I'm certain that getting a "rolling" review would be of value to you and entertaining to us :)

I'm still holding out for that Oli #22 ;) 12' bed, 24-28" inboard, as much HP as you can ask for... but at a weight of 4-9000 lbs and a huge restoration bill likely. There is no way to get one for less than one of these top tier lathes.

Good stuff, great discussion, and the passion for these machines is clear.

YOUR approach will determine which lathe appeals the most.

mike

Steve LeGrue
02-27-2009, 5:33 PM
I have 2 beefs with the VB36
1: it uses oil float bushings, not ball bearings. They get quite hot in use.
2: It takes 2 people to move the tool rest.

Go with the Oneway.

Jon McElwain
02-27-2009, 6:04 PM
I have 2 beefs with the VB36
1: it uses oil float bushings, not ball bearings. They get quite hot in use.
2: It takes 2 people to move the tool rest.

Go with the Oneway.

You might read the home page of the Hegner VB36 lathe for their thoughts on "hot" bearings. The site is listed below, and I did a cut and past of the response I am referring to - sorry about the length...

http://www.hegner.co.uk/pages/VB36_Lathes/vb36_lathes.html

from the Hegner website:

"I mention these facts because in the review of the Turnstyler, it was obvious that theVB36 was being alluded to as the only lathe not using "tried and tested" ball or roller bearings. In his conclusion, Mr. Warr emphasised that the Turnstyler bearings "happily need no attention whatsoever" and "thanks to those headstock bearings which remain cool, even under heavy load" and that "they are friction-free". The implication is obviously that temperature and rolling resistance are the ways in which bearing performance can best be determined — irrespective of bearing type, shaft seals, or indeed the working application. The two types
of bearing (i.e. plain or rolling element) are as different in their requirements and operating characteristics as chalk and cheese, and it is silly to imply that these differences are in themselves meaningful. A plain bearing "floats" the shaft and the heat generated through the work of the supporting lubricant film sinks away through the surrounding mass of metal in a predictable and controlled way. It is supposed to happen. Engineers evaluate and plan for it.
In the case of the VB36 the effect is moderate and precisely what we would expect from a fine tolerance assembly of this sort. In the same way, the four multi-lip shaft seals that isolate the front and rear bearings serve not only to keep the lubricant in, but also contaminants out. Their resistance is one indication that they are doing the job they are there for.
On the point of maintenance, I now use my VB36 for an average of between 25 to 30 hours a week. I check the bearing lubricant reservoirs before starting a turning session and, to date, have not had to add a single drop of oil.
What a pity that genuinely top quality engineering should be allowed to be denigrated in support of ill-informed conclusions. I feel very strongly that the term "British engineering" should do more than simply describe a product that was made in Britain!
P.K. Dickinson (Merseyside)"

Wyatt Holm
02-27-2009, 6:10 PM
Jon,
I am curious about one thing. You mention several times about outboard turning abilities. Why is that so important to you? With a sliding headstock, out board isn't necessary, you just slide the headstock down to the far end and turn off that end. It does the same thing. I have never turned outboard. Isn't it a left handed turn? Do you need separate face plates and chuck inserts?
robo hippy

On my Vicmarc all I have to do to turn outboard is: take off the handwheel
and switch the lathe to reverse. The spindle threads are exactly the same as inboard, so chucks and face plates mount the same.

Jon McElwain
02-27-2009, 6:15 PM
On my Vicmarc all I have to do to turn outboard is: take off the handwheel
and switch the lathe to reverse. The spindle threads are exactly the same as inboard, so chucks and face plates mount the same.

Good to know. I didn't know that the Vicmarc had this capacity. What is the tool rest situation when turning out board? Any option for a outboard machine mounted tool rest, or do you have to have a separate stand?

Wyatt Holm
02-27-2009, 6:21 PM
Vicmarc sells an outboard bracket, I have never used it, but it is said to be nice. I have a piece of junk floor stand that I have only used once. If I were to use it again I would need to bolt it to a steel plate or plywood to make it so that it does not wobble. The best outboard setup I have seen is made by Oneway. I want to make a similar setup for my Vic with a bed extension mounted lower on the outboard side, then make an extension for the banjo so I can use the tool rest similar to how the Powermatic 3520 18" bed extension comes with and extension for the banjo; to make it come up to the same hight as your normal tool rest hight.

Jim Becker
02-27-2009, 8:53 PM
I think that this discussion emphasizes Jim's point about getting some actual time on the very units you are considering. Everyones turning style is a bit different.

Yes, this is exactly my point. All of these high-end, non-mass market lathes are great machines. No question about that in my mind. But what we do and how we work can be profoundly affected by how a particular machine is physically "lurking" within your personal space as you use it. I'd be very happy to turn on any of the machines that play in this part of the market, but I'm happiest with the "feel" of the particular machine I ultimately chose after turning on several different choices. (Shop space also was an influence)

FYI, my previous lathe was a most excellent OneWay 1018. Suburb machine in every way...except for swing capacity. I had no idea I'd fall in love with bowls and vessels like I did once I was turning on a quality lathe. I toyed with building a riser system to deal with that, but in the end, upgrading to something that had the native capacity I wanted...and ultimately, I wanted that inboard and in a short-bed format. I chose accordingly after turning on all the candidates.

David Lancaster
02-28-2009, 10:08 AM
Mike anytime that you or anyone else is in the area feel free to stop to my shop and look around. You can try the lathes yourself and look at my kiln, I'm around most of the time but it would be best to call first I do a lot of shows in the summer. If I can help in any way feel free to ask

John Gornall
03-11-2009, 10:29 PM
I don't have a Oneway yet but there's one just down the road I get to play with. The Oneway doesn't really have an "outboard" side, it's more like 2 different inboards. Fully equipped the so called outboard side has ways, big tool rest, and tailstock with as much as 48 inch swing. The outboard side is more like a second big lathe.