Uncrated and ready to go!!!!

[Steve Doerr]

My new lathe came yesterday about 3:30. The driver backed the truck up into the yard and got me about 30 feet closer to the entrance to the house that I needed. I then took all of the crating material off and got it ready for my "work crew." About 6PM the four of us got it off the pallet and onto two moving dollies. We used the plywood from the crate to move it over the grass and into the house and finally into the shop. I have attached a couple of pictures. I did use it this morning to buff a bowl but no shavings yet. Going out of town so I'll have to wait until Monday.
I want to thank Brent & Deb English and all the crew at Robust for making me this GREAT lathe. They do a great job and are easy to talk to and work with.
I guess I can no longer say, "If only I had a bigger and better lathe." http://www.woodturnersresource.com/yabb2files/Templates/Forum/woody/grin.gif

297402 297403 297404

[Doug Herzberg]

Color me green.

[charlie knighton]

I always wondered what a ______ ________ grin looks like, congratulations.

[David Delo]

Eye CandyCongrats on the new piece of equipment.

[Mike Tilley]

What a beauty enjoy!

[Roger Chandler]

Beautiful........simply beautiful!!! Congratulations Steve.......I hope to join you in time as an owner of one of those! ;)

[Joseph M Lary]

Sweeeeeeeeet.

[Paul Millo]

Congrats on the Beauty Steve.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Steve - Congrats on your new lathe! You are going to love using it! I've had mine for 3 years now and it is still amazing at how smooth everything is! Be sure to give us an update after you have had some time turning! Have fun!!

[Ronald Campbell]

It looks so nice it will be hard to get it dirty. Yes the color is green, envy Have fun it is a great lathe

[Steve Doerr]

Thanks for the comments. I feel like a kid at Christmas that just got his first bike. Can't wait to get in the shop and do some turning. Managed to use it to buff a bowl, but because of other things this weekend won't be able to get to turning until Sunday night or Monday:mad: I'll keep you posted about my experience.

Roger, if you are really thinking about getting one, don't wait too long, you want to be able to enjoy it before your too old to think you can't get your money's worth out of it :eek: :D

[Thom Sturgill]

Possibly the lathe of my dreams. Not sure I will ever own one, but hope to upgrade from my 1642 next year when the warrantee runs out.

[Steve Doerr]

Thom, that's close to where I was in taking the next step to upgrade. I like the 1642 but wanted something that had larger capacity. Looked at the 3520 and 4224 along with the Robusts. Several things finally made me go with the Robust: 1) the ability to adjust the height (I found the spindle height on the 1642 to be just a little high for me. I built a 4" plate form to stand on and it made a world of difference.); 2) stainless steel ways; 3) gas assisted tilt-away for tail stock; 4) ability to optimize/customize your lathe; 5) American made; 6) quality all aspects of the product; and 6) great customer service before and after purchase. Granted the 3520 is considerable cheaper than the AB but you are not really comparing apples to apples. The 4224 is close but for what it cost, might as well go with the Cadillac instead of the Buick. Just my thought process in making my decision. Good luck.

[Thom Sturgill]

I'm currently drooling over the Liberty - I don't generally turn large and like the sliding head. Currently $6100 with tilt-away, legs, and 2hp upgrade vs $4000 for the Powermatic with a higher top speed and digital speed readout.

[David Delo]

I'm currently drooling over the Liberty - I don't generally turn large and like the sliding head. Currently $6100 with tilt-away, legs, and 2hp upgrade vs $4000 for the Powermatic with a higher top speed and digital speed readout.Thom,Not trying to instigate anything but CPO has 15% off + free delivery until Monday on the 3520B. Just sayinDave

[wes murphy]

Congrats, Steve

[Len Mullin]

Congrats Steve, I would be changing my plans if I were you, I don't think I could wait to use it.
Len

[Justin Stephen]

Relevant Youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7jJnwEeiU0

Definitely agree re: the comparison between the 4224 and the AB. I love my 3520 and I highly recommend it and consider it a "best buy" for a large lathe. But if I was going to spend 4224 money, I would be hard-pressed to not just go ahead and get an AB instead.

[Steve Doerr]

Thom, if you aren't looking at turning large items and are looking at the Liberty vs 3520b, I would probably be leaning toward the 3520. Since they both have the 2hp motor the 3520b gives you a little more size capacity. JT Turning Tools has an after market swing-away that you can use to swing the tail stock out of the way. The current sale also makes it hard to pass up.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[John Thorson]

You must have opted for the 3hp too, rice lathe!

[Jason Edwards]

I'm currently drooling over the Liberty - I don't generally turn large and like the sliding head. Currently $6100 with tilt-away, legs, and 2hp upgrade vs $4000 for the Powermatic with a higher top speed and digital speed readout.

Thom, the Robust Liberty and its sit-down version, the Independence, do have digital readout.

[Steve Doerr]

Jason--non of the Robust lathes have digital readouts. What you see are the VFD's. When I ordered mine, I talked to Brent about one and he said they have had a few people asking about them but not many. What you do get is a print out that shows the rpm's at the 10 different speed marks on the speed control knob.

John--you are correct, I did get the 3 hp.;)

Justin--got home earlier than we thought on Sunday so I was able to start turning yesterday. Put a 15" diameter x 5" thick piece of ash on it and started turning. It was out of balance but just controlled the speed and had not trouble with it. Ran smoothly and quietly. Very, very nice. Will do some more on it tonight..

Steve

[Jason Edwards]

Jason--non of the Robust lathes have digital readouts. What you see are the VFD's. When I ordered mine, I talked to Brent about one and he said they have had a few people asking about them but not many. What you do get is a print out that shows the rpm's at the 10 different speed marks on the speed control knob.


Steve

Hi Steve, have a look about 1/3 of the way down this page on the Liberty: http://turnrobust.com/Liberty_Photo_Gallery.html

Here is an excerpt: The motor drive (aka: "VFD" or "Inverter") can be mounted on the end of the lathe as shown here or on the wall behind the lathe using the same bracket. The spindle RPM is digitally displayed.

Like Thom, I've been looking pretty close at the Liberty too. I think you are 100% correct for the other models. Like the other guys in the thread, I have some lathe envy going on !!

But seriously, I think most people don't look at the RPM much after they get used to using the lathe.

[Steve Doerr]

Jason, do you have any salt and pepper that you could send me, I hate eating crow that is unseasoned:eek:

[Dok Yager]

Congratulations Steve! I got to see those used and up close at the expo this summer and Wow! Now I know what to strive for "even if I don`t get there"
:rolleyes:

[Jon McElwain]

Well, it's too bad you couldn't get a Oneway, but congratulations anyway! :p

[Frank Pearsall]

Congratulations Steve. I've had a Liberty for a year. It's my third lathe, my forever lathe, and I love it!

Frank