Lathe Wish List - which, and why?

[Mike Minto]

OK, let's look at it again - if you could have your dream lathe, which would it be, and for what reason(s)? Mine would have to be a Stubby 750 - never seen one in person, but it looks so vibration free and stable, massive cast iron; variable speed would be a dream. Or do you already own your dream lathe? I'm waiting...Mike :D

[Bill Bolen]

I'm staying with Robust...Either one...Bill...

[Wally Dickerman]

My ninth lathe since 1936 is a Oneway 2416. Complete with all of the goodies. For my kind of turning I don't think there is a better one out there. A real pleasure to use and Oneway's service is just great.

Hey, I deserve the best don't I?

Wally

[Neal Addy]

My dream lathe...

http://www.grizzly.com/images/pics/jpeg500/h/h2669.jpg

[Dave Schell]

Neal, ROTFLMAO - sue wheat lathe! Variable speed and reversing no doubt.

I have a Vicmarc VL300 that I love but when our farm becomes the newest Lowes, Target, and Movie Theatre one day, I hope to get a VB36 with all of the attachments - can't image a sweeter machine anywhere.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Oneway 2436.

[David Walser]

At last February's Desert Woodturning Roundup, I got to spend some time drooling over the Serious Lathe. Over 1500 lbs of love!

Of course, part of why it's my dream lathe is that it would need to come with my dream shop! The thing's huge. But, if I had enough space for it, it would be way cool to have. So, too, would the other high end lathes already mentioned. (If I'm on your Christmas list, I don't want any of you to think I'm too hard to shop for. I'll take a Robust, Oneway, Stubby...)

[Daniel Heine]

David,

I'm with you on that one. Built in Wisconsin(not china), hude capacity and powerful. My dream girl!!!!

Dan

[alex carey]

Hmmm, thats a tough question, I'm leaning towards the oneway but I do like the idea of the serious because of the weight.

I guess id have to go with the oneway with all the extra stuff.

[Mike Lipke]

ShopSmith, because it is a lathe, saw, toenail buffer and coffee maker all in one.

[Jim Becker]

Already own mine...a Stubby 750. Everything I want in a lathe in a nice, compact, but large capacity package.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

My dream lathe...

http://www.grizzly.com/images/pics/jpeg500/h/h2669.jpg


Neal,

How long have you been having these nightmares?:rolleyes:

[Reed Gray]

Well, I would like one of everything please. Had a PM, great lathe. Got a Robust, again great lathe, and made in the USA. Would have liked to have tried a Nichols lathe, but he went out of business after Oneway started up. I would like a VB 36 for bowls only, not sure about the Stubby though. Never considered the Serious because it doesn't have a sliding headstock. Heard Mike Mahoney has a Vicmark with a 5 hp motor. Kind of like Bill Grumbine, I haven't met a lathe yet that I couldn't stall. Oneway looks nice, but no way to turn outboard in my shop where the lathe sits in a corner. No other place for it. Have a Jet 1220 VS for small things. I think there is some possibilities to make them better, like why doesn't it have reverse? The Concrete lathe looked interesting as well, but I woudn't want to make one. Saw a lathe with a 36 inch throw, 1 hp DC motor slapped onto some channel iron, and welded to a 1/4 inch steep plate. Worked surprisingly well. Don't think I will need or want anything beyond my Robust but if I should happen to win the lottery.....

robo hippy

[John Shuk]

I have to say that the Stubby would be just right for me. That said I would have to really think long and hard about ever spending more money than the PM3520 costs. It is so nice with such good fit and finish that I think you gain very little from spending so much more on the higher end brands.
A stubby is however quite unique and does things other machines can't.It fits well with what I like to do and how I like to turn.

[Alan Trout]

For me I would have to look long and hard at the long bed Vic VL300. but I am so pleased with my DVR XP with my fabricated stand that It would also be hard to spend any more cash. With that being said If I had a pure bowl lathe with about a 30" swing I would be happy forever. With my DVR XP and a dedicated bowl lathe. Those 2 machines would do what ever I have wanted to do.

Alan

[Jack Mincey]

I am extremely happy with my oneway 1640. I have a chuck on both outboard and inboard for turning turkey calls. It saves me a lot of time being able to just step to the other end of the lathe to finish the next step on them. I haven't needed more than the 24" outboard swing for any of the bowls that I've turned. If I was strictly looking for a bowl lathe the stubbly would be my lathe of choice. I've watched several demo's at a local club meeting where they use a Stubby. I've looked at it very close during the breaks. It is with out a doubt one of the best built lathes on the market. I saw this on one of Reeds threads, but it would make a lathe even better than any of them are at present. It would be great to have the legs made so that the could raise the lathe up and down at the push of a button. For hollowing HF's it would be great to raise the lathe 4" or 5". I use a Jordan Arm Brace handle and do a lot of my hollowing setting on a stool that I can adjust to any height so that I don't have to bend over. If you haven't used an arm brace type handle they are great, but put your elbow several inches below the center of the spindle. This makes the spindle a little to low when hollowing. Maybe one of the manufactures will read this and think about this as an option.
Jack

[Dave Ogren]

I have a VB36 and am right down the road (I-40) from you. If you ever want to try it out you are more than welcome. I don't have the tailstock version though. They are available used, I know several that have been purchased that way.

Dave