What North American-Made Lathes (new) are Available Now?

[Doug Ladendorf]

A recent thread that touched on this got me wondering about currently available options. So far I have found:

Robust (http://www.turnrobust.com) - Well known American maker. Selection of lathes that start at $5,000. They have a nice lathe for seated turners, and the oft pined-for American Beauty (sigh).
Barneveld, WI

Oneway (http://www.oneway.ca) - Well known Canadian maker. Selection of lathes that start at $2,500. 2000 series lathes are popular with serious turners. (I've turned on one and they are sweet!)
Stratford, ON

Vega (http://vegawoodworking.com) - Somehow often overlooked but they make a nice 15" swing lathe starting at $2,800, and a nice bowl lathe at $3,200. They also have lathe duplicators and other tooling.
Decatur, IL

Are there others that someone looking might consider? Care to share experiences with these makers, especially the lesser known lathes? Just looking for factual information here, not getting into debates please. :)

[Roger Chandler]

Doug........I am not aware of any others that are widely available on a commercial basis. Some guys with welding, electrical and mechanical skills build a home made lathe on occasion........we have such a guy in our club who has built a rose engine lathe and his own bowl lathe, & also owns a Oneway. He is a creeker......Dale Winburn. Quite a turner also!

The selection is limited and likely the reason most lathes are manufactured in Tiawan/China. Of course, the Vicmark and woodfast are exceptions.

[David Delo]

Serious Tool Works would be an addition.

[Roger Chandler]

Serious Tool Works would be an addition.

The last I heard, that Serious SL2542 is actually manufactured for them in India.

[Jason Edwards]

While Serious is a US company, the lathes are made in India. Vicmarcs are made in Australia, but the castings are Asian. Woodfast, I think, is Asian now too, like Powermatic.

[David Delo]

Thanks for the correction Roger & Jason.

[Doug Ladendorf]

Thanks for jogging the memory on Serious. Pretty massive lathe! I didn't realize they moved production to India. That reminded me of Stubby lathes but I see they are not a US company. I have seen some nice home made lathes. I've also seen Nicholson wood lathes but not available now.

[Jon McElwain]

I don't think Nichols is making lathes anymore, but they were out of Oregon. I see them come up for sale now and then.

http://web.archive.org/web/20031126152017/http://www.nicholslathe.com/

Jon

[Reed Gray]

The Nichols lathes went out a number of years ago, not too long after Oneway started up. I had considered a Nichols, but the 3520A came out and I went with it. There also used to be the Conover lathes, made by Ernie Conover. You bought the headstock, and legs, and made your on ways from wood planks. I have heard of the Vega lathes, but know nothing about them.

robo hippy

[Lloyd Keniston]

Vega lathes.
http://vegawoodworking.com/product/series-1500-t-wood-lathe/

[Michelle Rich]

I know General is canadian, but unsure if they are made in canada...

[Hilel Salomon]

Oliver still makes lathes and used to make them here, but now, I think that they are made in China. As for Vega, I had one. OMG!!!!!!!!!!! Nuff said.

[Michael Armstrong]

General lathes are made in Canada but General International ones are made offshore.

Michael

[Bob Dupras]

Oliver still makes lathes and used to make them here, but now, I think that they are made in China. As for Vega, I had one. OMG!!!!!!!!!!! Nuff said.I'm not sure if that's OMG=Good, or OMG=It was the worst experience of my life. But since you say you HAD one, I'm guessing it's the 2nd OMG. Either way, I'd like to hear more.

[Randy Red Bemont]

I'm not sure if that's OMG=Good, or OMG=It was the worst experience of my life. But since you say you HAD one, I'm guessing it's the 2nd OMG. Either way, I'd like to hear more.

I'm thinking the same thing. Good or bad Hilel??

Red

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I'm thinking the same thing. Good or bad Hilel??

Red

He's always been pretty nice when he is here at the Creek. JMHO.:D

[George Troy Hurlburt]

I have a number of lathes like the Robust, Vicmark, DVR and Powermatic. I think the Shopsmith is still an American machine, I purchased mine in 1980 and still going strong. If and when I down size, that would be the one machine I would keep along with my attachments for it.

[Grant Wilkinson]

The "made in Canada" side of General is no more. All of their machines are made foreign now and sold under the General International mark.

I have the Vega 2600. I had turned on Bill Grumbine's some years ago and liked it. It fit my budget and the available space in my small shop. It is not pretty like some of the others mentioned here, but the motor, the electronics and the bearings used are first rate. Randy at Vega is always willing to provide advice and support. I have no regrets at all.

[Michael Armstrong]

On the General website they advertise the General 160 as made in Canada. Is this maybe older stock?

Michael

[Doug Ladendorf]

Short profile like the others:

General (http://www.general.ca/products/1_general/25_lathe/16018-1.html) - Canadian maker. The 16018-1 with 18" swing ($2500 USD?) is made in Canada. Other lathes are made overseas.
Montreal, QC

Shopsmith (http://www.shopsmith.com/) - American maker of all-in-one machines. Configured as lathe has 16 1/2" swing and 34" length. On the website they state "Built in the U.S.A. since 1953."
Dayton, OH


I've seen some Conover lathes pop up on the used market. They look very nice. The new Oliver is not the old Oliver. New ones are made overseas. I've wondered if anyone is turning on them. They look comparably robust to other machines in the price range but I don't believe I have ever heard a comment about using them.

[Jason Edwards]

I have a buddy in Nashville that bought one of the new blue Olivers (don't remember the model, but I think it was the biggest one). He had a lot of troubles with it and they were kind enough to eventually take it back after they couldn't get it right. He bought a Robust AB and is much happier.

I've heard that General closed their Canadian manufacturing and that when the current stock of the made in Canada machines are sold out, there will be no more Canadian made Generals, just the imports.

[Doug Ladendorf]

The new Oliver is not the old Oliver. New ones are made overseas. I've wondered if anyone is turning on them. They look comparably robust to other machines in the price range but I don't believe I have ever heard a comment about using them.


I have a buddy in Nashville that bought one of the new blue Olivers (don't remember the model, but I think it was the biggest one). He had a lot of troubles with it and they were kind enough to eventually take it back after they couldn't get it right. He bought a Robust AB and is much happier.

I guess that's why we don't hear about them. Too bad your friend had to go through that. Makes you wonder that they couldn't make it right.

[Grant Wilkinson]

General closed its manufacturing side in Drummondville Quebec in 2012. They are still selling made in Canada stock that was made before then, but there is no more manufacturing in Canada. The import under the General International name from Taiwan.