After market banjo

[Mike Stephens]

I am in the market for a replacement banjo for my powermatic 3520b. Both the oneway and Robust look like good options. The oneway is $295.00, haven't gotten a price for the robust yet. I'm liking the design of the oneway better. But haven't used either.

looking for the opinons of fellow Creekers. Thanks and happy holidays. Cheers

[Joe Bradshaw]

Mike, I would go with the Oneway banjo. In fact, I replaced my Robust banjo with one from Oneway. I think that the Oneway banjo is the best one out there.
Joe

[Jeffrey J Smith]

Can't comment on the Oneway - I've used one, but didn't notice anything in particular - good or bad. That's probably a good thing; it evidently held well and got the job done without moving when it wasn't needed yet moved easily when it was. I've been using the Robust going on three years now and can report hat it locks securely, releases smoothly and moves easily.
One thing that I have noticed is the tool rest locking mechanism. Rather than just a screw mechanism that applies pressure against the post to secure it, Robust uses two clamping blocks to apply pressure to the toolrest post at three points. They are attached to the locking handle and slide into a large hole in the banjo's upright post.
The real beauty of this system is that, when necessary, the toolrest can be removed, the clamping blocks pull easily from the banjo and can be inserted from either side. A quick way to always have the handle fully accessible yet out of the way. It's a design used on the early Powermatics (when they were made in the USA). Very simple but very strong and secure. It's a small thing - I've had to move mine from side to side on occasion - but it's usually the small things that add up to the whole impression. On the other hand, the Oneway toolrest locking handle is on the outboard side...
The only banjo I've found to be wanting was the one that came on the Jet 1642 - the clamping mechanism on mine just wasn't up to the challenge for large diameter pieces. It slipped at the worst possible times.

[Fred Belknap]

Just curious, but what did you not like about the original Powermatic banjo. When I first got my 3520B I didn't like the off set post but have got use to it. I haven't had and holding problems.

[Mike Stephens]

Mike, I would go with the Oneway banjo. In fact, I replaced my Robust banjo with one from Oneway. I think that the Oneway banjo is the best one out there.
Joe

Thanks joe for the reply. What exactly did you not like about the Robust banjo? Also how are the robust rest in combination with the oneway banjo?

[Mike Stephens]

Just curious, but what did you not like about the original Powermatic banjo. When I first got my 3520B I didn't like the off set post but have got use to it. I haven't had and holding problems.

Fred I have had my powermatic for over 5 years. I absolutely hate the way the tool rest tightens into the banjo. I get a lot of movement when working on larger turnings. Would love a robust ab. Since it's not in the budget. I will replace the banjo.

[Mike Stephens]

Jeff thanks for commenting. Someday I'll own a Robust lathe. I'm sure it is of the highest quality.

[Lee Watermann]

Another that does not like the 3520 banjo. starting to move often and really have to give it a hit with my palm to lock it. getting tired of it and someday will replace it with one or the other.

[James Combs]

...
The only banjo I've found to be wanting was the one that came on the Jet 1642 - the clamping mechanism on mine just wasn't up to the challenge for large diameter pieces. It slipped at the worst possible times.
+1 on Jeffrey's Jet 1642 comment. Have noted similar problems with mine.

[Jeffrey J Smith]

Just a quick couple of thoughts...for you guys that are experiencing movement of the banjo - have you tried adjusting the clamping block slightly? About 1/4 turn (or less) on the nut that holds it is usually all that's needed. Cleaned the underside edges of the ways where the clamp needs to grip? A little wd40 can get rid of excess wax or Boeshield or other dressing for the ways that could get down there and allow the clamp to slip. Cleaned the underside of the banjo - both where it rides along the ways and where the clamping cam and follower hide?
I know that when a little routine maintenance got done the banjo on my older Jet 1642 would behave a lot better - at least for a while.
Just thought I'd throw out the obvious.

[robert baccus]

Mine started slipping a bit--tore it down, cleaned it and used fine sandpaper on the surfaces and seems to work fine now.

[Mike Stephens]

On my powermatic the banjo doesn't move. I do all the maintnace to keep it functional. The problem is the way the tool rest clamps in.

[Joe Bradshaw]

Mike, I didn't like the toolrest clamp It seems that I had to spend a lot of time aligning the two clamp blocks to re-insert the tool rest. Also, I didn't like the locking handle for the tool post. I like the fact that the Oneway handles are completely adjustable.YMMV. Good luck with your decision.
Joe

[Thom Sturgill]

+1 on Jeffrey's Jet 1642 comment. Have noted similar problems with mine.


another +1 - neither the banjo itself nor the hold on the post is stable without what I would consider excessive force on the handle - I've broken the one that holds the post and swapped it for the one from the quill that I replaced with one from Rockler.

I've had similar problems with the Jet 1220 with the banjo moving - that was fixed with an aftermarket washer on the bottom. The contact area was just too small.

[Robert Henrickson]

I've had little to complain about with the 1642 banjo in 7-8 years of turning hundreds of items of all sizes.

[John Keeton]

Like Robert, I don't seem to experience any issues with my 1642, but every 6 months or so, I will clean it and make sure it is adjusted correctly. I use Robust style rests with it as I don't think much of the stock cast iron rest.

I don't guess that is responsive to your original post, except that perhaps some adjustment and cleaning might be worth a try.

[Reed Gray]

Well, I most banjo set ups secure to the lathe pretty well. Securing the tool rest in the banjo is another issue. The main problem I had with my old PM 3520A was that the single locking screw type pin just didn't hold. I stripped out several of the soft pot metal handles trying to tighten down the set screw so the tool rest would not slip down or pivot during heavy use. I ended up with 2 T type handles with the cross piece in the end not being welded in place, and being able to flow through if that makes any sense. Similar to what is on most bench vises. With the 2 handles/set screws, it holds well enough. With the Robust, you have a wedge on the outside that pulls together and gives a much more secure grip. I still find it works loose a bit, but not nearly as bad as the single set screw. The Oneway, and I have minimal experience with it has a longer lever handle on it so you can apply much more pressure with the single set screw. My main concern would be marks in the tool rest post. The original set screw with my PM had the end drilled out and a piece of brass in the end to keep from marking up the tool rest post. I don't think they do this any more. I do have to watch myself to keep from over tightening my set screws. I do think some one will eventually come up with a better system, but I haven't seen a perfect one yet.

robo hippy

[Roger Chandler]

Here is a design idea for the lathe manufacturers.........I probably ought to patent it, ;) but here goes anyway! What about a banjo with a collet inside for the post with a handle to provide the leverage needed for the torque that is adequate to hold in place?!

If someone sees this, I bet they find a way!