dream lathe

[Roger Chandler]

If money or space were no issue at all, what lathe would you want to put in your shop? What lathe would be your dream lathe?

[Kyle Iwamoto]

One word, Oneway. Don't think my skills would require anything better than that, such a a VB-36, which would be a fantasy dream lathe, better than a "regular" dream lathe. For that I would also require a helper to mount the blanks on the lathe......

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

Robust American Beauty
I've spent well over 100 plus hours on one of these.
However it's not mine :mad: it belongs to a friend.

[Greg Just]

Oneway would be my choice. I used one last summer and thought it was an exceptional machine. I can't comment on others as I have not used them.

[Terry Quiram]

I am already turning on my dream lathe. It is a Stubby 750.

[David E Keller]

I'm pretty happy with my mustard monster. My only wish is that it had stainless steel ways.

[Pete Jordan]

I have the mustard but I would choose a Robust.

[Reed Gray]

I had a PM3520A for 8 years. I have had my Robust for 2 plus years. I went for it because of the 3 hp motor, and it is made in the USA. Add to that, the sliding headstock, and it is a hands down winner over the Oneway. I can't turn out board because my lathe sits in a corner. I also had the variable speed tweaked so it goes almost all the way down to 10 rpm before it turns off. Necessary for my warped bowls. If I did only bowls, the VB36 would be a contender. If money was no object, I would have a Robust, a VB36, a Oneway, and a Stubby. I would even consider building my own.

robo hippy

[David DeCristoforo]

http://owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?ID=10715

You did say dream... right?

[David Walser]

It's 1,580 pounds of cast iron loveliness:

http://www.serioustoolworks.com/wood-lathes.php

Here's a link to a similar thread just over a year ago:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=120181

[Thomas Bennett]

It's an obscure Smith-Drum metal lathe, complete with a 28" face plate. It has the adjustable gap bed. I love it a lot but have to admit I do most of my turning on the Powermatic "Model C".

[Allen Neighbors]

I've got it. Oneway 1640, 2 HP, Outboard bed & toolrest. It can handle anything I can handle. And my Vicmarc VL100 for travel. :D

[Alan Trout]

When the Vicmarc VL600 comes out it looks like it may be the king of most production wood lathes. Pretty awesome concept. Here is a thread that was started on it. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=123526

Alan

[Karl Card]

http://owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?ID=10715

You did say dream... right?



that lathe right there is why I need my shop on ground level... this steps crap is getting rought...

that is a nice lathe....unless something like that were to ever come my way though id love to have a oneway....those dudes are built even better than ford tough...

[James Boster]

Already got mine. It's an Oliver #66 sliding gap bed lathe. 8' between centers and 48" capacity inboard with the gap open. About 5,800# of good cast iron.

[Jeff Luedloff]

I have my dream lathe also a Oneway 2436 3hp.

[Don Geiger]

I think the Robust American Beauty is really top of the line. The design and quality is superb and the accessories are well thought out. The service is wonderful and it's Made in the USA. You would be supporting American craftsmanship.

Who else offers a 7 year warranty including the head stock bearings?

Don Geiger

[John Hart]

My favorite would be Homemade. Something that I built with my own two hands that handles any size tree and requires a crane to load the wood on it.:)

[David Woodruff]

Oneway 2436 with SS bed and a VB36. No gloat, just facts, well maybe a little gloat.

[Jack Mincey]

I already turn on my dream lathe. It is a oneway 1640 with all the outboard items so I can go 24" on the outboard side. I don't think that I will ever need anymore lathe than this, but if that ever happened I would look at the big Oneway's or the Stuby's.
Jack

[Dennis Ford]

My current lathe (homemade) has everything that I dreamed of for a number of years, but now I have additional dreams. Some of the dreams are mutually exclusive, a single lathe could not satisfy them all:
* Portable (I have a Jet 1220 for this and it is a good lathe but not dream level)
* 10 ft length (might want to make a porch column someday)
* huge swing (wallhangings?)
* 4 axis CNC with live tooling (this appeals to me more than ornamental)

I know that if all these were satisified (not likely), new dreams would pop up, that is part of the fun.

[Matt Ranum]

What lathe would be your dream lathe?


As someone who has only played on another lathe besides my Shopsmith, that being Mr. Nicol's mustard monster, I would have to say that my dream lathe would be basically any lathe that is #1-variable speed, #2- isn't a Shopsmith.
:D


Thats not really fair to my machine as it is a nice machine especially since I put a variable speed on it, but she does have her drawbacks.

[Matt Hutchinson]

Gonna have to go with either an Oliver #26 gap bed lathe (freaking huge) or its little brother, and Oliver #66 (only slightly less freaking huge).

Hutch

[neil mackay]

My favorite would be Homemade. Something that I built with my own two hands that handles any size tree and requires a crane to load the wood on i



I tend to agree. I have 4 lathes, two home built with two more on the drawing board plus a Chinese clunker in bits.The fourth is a Woodfast 400 currently being upgraded to a 1hp 3 phase motor with electronic remote speed control and a emergency knock out stop switch not unlike Vicmarc.

I like various aspects of several lathes, so I try and incorporate this into the home built. Other wise it would be a Stubway-Romarc with Hegner and DVP over tones perhaps.

[Kevin Kelly]

I think i would say the Stubby, but i haven't seen a Robust up close and personal.

[Jonathan Harvey]

I love my VL300 But wish I had gotten the 3hp model as I am still able to slow my 2.2hp down when doing so serious roughing out. Looking at the link to the VL600 has go me wanting to save my pennies. Hmmmmm wood mizer or VL600 it's tough call

[Bernie Weishapl]

My Nova DVR XP.

[Steve Kubien]

Vicmarc VL300 longbed with the outboard rest or 3hp American Beauty. 2436 with outboard if space was of no concern.

[Mike Spanbauer]

An Oli 21 AC, or #22 Pattern makers would be my ultimate lathe:

http://owwm.com/photoindex/images/585-A.jpg

[Matt Owen]

My Nova DVR XP.

I have to agree with Bernie on this one. I love my DVR XP. I don't turn huge items, so this lathe does everything I want it to. If I wanted bigger, I would go for a Robust American Beauty, but my DVR XP is a smooth machine with plenty of power.

Matt

[Ron Crosby]

My dream lathe?? ONEWAY!!!

Those Canadians sure know how to build 'em. :D Would be cool to check the factory out.

[Joe Bradshaw]

If I ever wear out my Oneway 2436(I don't think that I will live long enough), I would like a Oneway 2436 with all the bells and whistles. A guy can dream can't he.

[Neil Strong]

A VB36 or two...:)

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