need help choosing new lathe!

[Simon Dupay]

I'm looking to upgrade from a HF lathe to something way better my budget is around $2500
I would like:
At least a 16" swing
1.5 hp or more 110v or 220v
reverse
VS would be nice, but not a requirement
NOT made in China/Taiwan

I been looking at the Oneway 1224(which only has 12" swing), Vicmarc vl200 or 300 bare, an older steel bed Delta x-5 and the nova dvr
Does any one sell the Vicmarc vl200 in the US? if anyone has any other suggestions please share them.

[Michelle Rich]

the only lathe I know would be the Nova series. Your criteria of not made in Asia really puts a cramp in the deal. Used model to fit your $2500?? A bigger used oneway?

[Roger Chandler]

the only lathe I know would be the Nova series. Your criteria of not made in Asia really puts a cramp in the deal. Used model to fit your $2500?? A bigger used oneway?

From what I understand, even the Nova lathes are made in Asia now.............they used to be made in New Zealand, but not any more......from what I remember reading on a forum a couple of years ago.

[Alan Trout]

That is easy the Robust Sweet 16. IMHO one of the finest 16" production lathes. Plus it is made in the USA by great people. I have the American Beauty but a friend of mine has the Sweet 16. I have turned on it and it is a heck of a machine. Super versatile. Of course it does not fit into you budget but I do not think you will find a new non Asian lathe in that price range. http://www.turnrobust.com/Sweet_16_Photo_Gallery.html

[Kim Gibbens]

With your budget I am guessing that you are definitely limited to the used market. You might want to look out for an older Powermatic that was still made in the USA. I'm sure others will chime in with excellent recommendations.

[Richard Coers]

Packard has the Vega 2600 bowl lathe on sale for $2850. It's made in Decatur, IL. http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=lathes-vega
25" dia, 2hp EVS, 17" between centers

[Dale Winburn]

The Oneway 1224 is made in Canada and sells for +/- $2500. I'm considering maybe getting the 1224.

[Simon Dupay]

From what I understand, even the Nova lathes are made in Asia now.............they used to be made in New Zealand, but not any more......from what I remember reading on a forum a couple of years ago.
The dvr seems to be still made in NZ as I saw made in NZ on the lathe at rockler, but sharing most parts with the 1624 who knows whats made where?

[Simon Dupay]

The Oneway 1224 is made in Canada and sells for +/- $2500. I'm considering maybe getting the 1224.
I have been considering the 1224 but the 12" swing and 1 hp motor have me worried it won't be enough lathe for me.

[Joe Bradshaw]

I have both a 1224 and a 2436 Oneway. I also have a Robust Liberty. The 1224 is my favorite of the three. I rarely turn bigger than the 12" capacity of the 1224. It has plenty of power for anything that I have turned on it. Mike Stafford, with help from Brent English, talked me into buying the Liberty. It is a great lathe. My girlfriend really loves turning on it(she has a Nova DVR). Good luck on making your decision.

[Ben Darrah]

I recently bought a Nova 1624 on sale and it says it's made in New Zealand. I am happy with it. WC seems to put a Nova model on sale every couple months. I would have bought the Robust had I been able to afford it. I prefer to go non-asian when I can, but it seems to be getting tougher.

[Matt Owen]

I've got the DVR XP and I think it's an amazing lathe. I've had mine for 7 years now and never had a problem. I'm not a big fan of changing belts to change speeds so the dvr motor is perfect for me.

[Roger Chandler]

I recently bought a Nova 1624 on sale and it says it's made in New Zealand. I am happy with it. WC seems to put a Nova model on sale every couple months. I would have bought the Robust had I been able to afford it. I prefer to go non-asian when I can, but it seems to be getting tougher.

Ben.......that is good news..........does it have a manufacture date on it? I remember reading on a forum somewhere that Nova's were made in Asia now........however, not everything one reads on a forum is always accurate! :eek::D;)

Maybe they were thinking about the chucks when they posted, but I know the post said the dvr was made in China and that may not be correct at all! :confused:

[Jenny Trice]

The Jet 1642 EVS fits into that price range. I like mine. If you could find one used, you would even have some budget for more tools, chucks, etc.

[Roger Chandler]

The Jet 1642 EVS fits into that price range. I like mine. If you could find one used, you would even have some budget for more tools, chucks, etc.

The Jet lineup is made in Taiwan.........the poster mentioned not made in China or Taiwan.

[Ben Darrah]

Ben.......that is good news..........does it have a manufacture date on it? I remember reading on a forum somewhere that Nova's were made in Asia now........however, not everything one reads on a forum is always accurate! :eek::D;)

Maybe they were thinking about the chucks when they posted, but I know the post said the dvr was made in China and that may not be correct at all! :confused:
Well I checked their website and unfortunately it does say that most Nova's stuff is made in China now. I couldn't find a manufacture date on mine. I wonder if mine is new old stock. That would explain why it was $500 off.

[Simon Dupay]

have a line on a older delta x-5 any good?

[Jake Helmboldt]

Nova lathes have been made in China for several years now. Nova has a factory there, so anyone buying one recently with "made in NZ" bought an old stock lathe. I got that info directly from Nova several years ago when I bought my Jet, so it isn't based on rumors.

Simon, on the X5 do some homework online. There were problems with the electronics on that lathe. It was also never too popular, long discontinued and parts are an issue, including the VFD availability. I also don't know if it was American made (or Asian). Also some comments on the way the bed is attached to the lathe.

As for your parameters, I'll be honest in suggesting that you reconsider your priorities. For the price you have eliminated most options, and as others noted you are pretty much reliant on a used lathe. A used DVR or a new, older stock one made in New Zealand is perhaps the only real option.

Variable speed is a huge benefit, and to put that low on the list of needs is curious. I try to avoid Chinese machines in most cases, but the Taiwanese products are generally proven and solid performers (Jet, Powermatic) with good warranties.

Lastly consider the headstock options. A sliding headstock is really nice and a much more common feature these days.

[Bill Wyko]

Keep in mind, even if a lathe is made over seas, the company still has it made to their specs and they employ people here. I have a Powermatic 4224 and I absolutely love it. Tons of features and rock solid. If you like that, the 4224B is probably the most lathe you'll ever get for the money. Everything you could want can come with it. A little bigger than what you're looking for but I always say "go bigger than you ever expect to need."

[Mike Lipke]

He probably did, but he wants your opinion.
My opinion is that for that kind of money, buy an Asian lathe with good American distribution, reputation and warranty. Non Asian iron/steel is a lot more $.
Bang for the buck is Jet, Powermatic, Delta, etc.
Best at any price is Stubby, Oneway, Robust, etc.

[Richard Coers]

I don't like it, and parts are surely not available because of what Delta has become.

[Bill Wyko]

For the fun of it, check out the VB36. This is the ultimate lathe imho. Problem is, you will need a lot of devices specific for the VB36 to be fully set up. Somewhere in the $14,000.00 to $15,000.00 fully equipped. What a thing of beauty.

[Simon Dupay]

well i can get the delta for about $1300 (it's an USA made model) shipped or I might get a vicmarc vl300 barebones for around $3000 with motor and vfd and go that rote.

[Scott Hackler]

The Vicmarc is a very nice lathe with it's only real limitation being the bed length if you ever wanted to turn long spindles or bed posts. I played with the one Jim Adkins won while visiting him and I like the lathe a lot. Almost better than his Stubby. $3000 seems like a heck of a deal.

[Simon Dupay]

I've never need more then 24" of bed so that doesn't brother me. Does any one sell the Vicmarc vl200 in the US? The Vicmarc vl200 would be more then enough lathe for me.

[Clif Moore]

I just picked up the Nova 2024. Great machine and (still) on sale at Amazon.com for $2644. I have Amazon Prime so free shipping was included. Could have saved a lot more if I would have applied for Amazon credit card at point of sale. I am a newbie. Upgraded from a HF 1236. I was going to get something smaller but the wife said to go bigger/better because "I know you'll just want the next step up sooner rather than later." I married a good one.

[Simon Dupay]

Well I think I'am going to get the Vicmarc I figure I'll never have to upgrade again(maybe). Thanks for all the advice, and to pay you guys back I'll post pics of the new lathe when it arrives!

[Mike Cruz]

Simon, if you are considering used, I've seen two PM3520As come up for sale in the last week or two for $2500 and $2200. I think both have some extras, not sure. The point is that you can get a nice lathe with a 20" swing for that budget.

On that note, if you want to have fun... Do like I did. Buy a mid to late 70s through mid 90s PM90 for about $300. Do a full restoration, give it a more powerful 3 phase motor, a VFD to make it run on single phase, add a potentiometer (speed control) FWD/REV and ESTOP (didn't add that but again...would), a 4" riser for the headstock, then (not what I did, but would have worked perfectly and what I would do if I had it to do over again) get a PM3520A or B banjo and tailstock. You'll have under $1500 in. And it'll be worth OVER that easily. Actually ended up selling mine for $2200. Just a thought...