New Version of the Laguna Revo 24/36 Lathe

[Tony French]

I saw this ad in the October issue of American Woodturner magazine. It is based on the design improvements of the Revo 18/36. There is no info on the website as of this posting but I contacted Laguna. They said that they are working for availability by the end of the year at a target price of $3799, although that price is just a target at this point. Note that in addition to the size increase, there is also a remote box with On/Off, Emergency Stop, and Speed Adjust.

NEW
345170

OLD (Existing)
345203

[David M Peters]

Interesting, makes me wonder if they'll ditch their current 20-36 and 24-36 models in favor of this. http://www.lagunatools.com/lathes

[Brice Rogers]

Looks similar to the Grizzly G0799 and G0780 which are listed at 24 x 48". I wonder if they are the same mfr?

[Tony French]

Looks similar to the Grizzly G0799 and G0780 which are listed at 24 x 48". I wonder if they are the same mfr?

The existing Laguna 20/36 and 24/36 (which David linked to) are nearly identical to the G0799 and G0800. Grizzly lists them at 48" because they include the swing away extension as standard equipment. It is also available from Laguna as an add-on accessory. Those lathes have been widely discussed. I posted an ad to a new version of the Laguna 24/36 (I would have named it something different) that is very different and has the design features of the 18/36 - see the picture I posted. Note that as of right now, there is no info on the web about the new version...it is only in the paper ad that I posted a picture of or you can find the ad in the October 2016 issue of American Woodturner magazine. David was then asking if the new lathe will cause Laguna to stop offering the two that he linked to.

[John Keeton]

Laguna is using "Revo" in naming the new 2436, to distinguish it from the older version. I have no way of knowing, but I would think this is an indication of a different direction for Laguna and that they will phase out prior versions. I can certainly speak highly of the Revo 1836, which shares many of the features of the Revo 2436. The additional new features of the Revo 2436 certainly hint toward a company pursuing a target group that is looking for innovative design.

[Tony French]

Laguna is using "Revo" in naming the new 2436, to distinguish it from the older version. I have no way of knowing, but I would think this is an indication of a different direction for Laguna and that they will phase out prior versions. I can certainly speak highly of the Revo 1836, which shares many of the features of the Revo 2436. The additional new features of the Revo 2436 certainly hint toward a company pursuing a target group that is looking for innovative design.

It seems like it should be that simple, but the existing ones that have been around for a couple years are called Revo 20/36 and Revo 24/36.

[John Keeton]

Tony, it seems you are correct on the prior use of Revo in the name. Apparently the manner in which Laguna has marketed the lathes has left me with the impression the name is new. Perhaps that was their intent! Regardless, I do like the modifications.

[Roger Chandler]

In comparing the two versions of the 2436 Revo in the pics above, it looks like the controls have been moved up to the top of the headstock in the new one, and to me, the bed on the old version looks to have a good bit more mass in it. Mass is your friend on a large lathe, as it dampens vibration. Of course adding ballast is always an option, but if they had made the new configuration and kept the bigger bed, then the best of both might have been achieved.

[John Keeton]

Roger, as I noted in the review I posted on the Revo 1836, the beds on the new Lagunas are welded steel instead of cast iron. The overall weight of the lathe is significant and a lot of that is in the legs, which are considerably more massive than was the case on my Jet 1642 aided partially by the wider stance. The Jet had a leg stance of 20" and the Revo at 26" - quite a difference. I have not seen the new Revo 2436, but I suspect it is similar in that respect as that seems to be the direction of Laguna with these new designs.

[Roger Chandler]

Did not realize about the steel bed.....your analysis makes sense, John. I do like the wider stance.

[Jeramie Johnson]

Scratch my post......I was finding the old 24/36 I think. Was trying to dig up specifics on specs.

I like the remote option. Always liked the color combo

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

I looked at the Laguna lathes in Atlanta this past June at the symposium. There was a guy demonstrating on one in the trade show area. He was turning & coring some pretty good sized bowls some where around 16" dia or so I'd guess. The lathe handled them well. Over all impression was that it looked like a pretty good machine for the price. The only thing that stood out to me was the upright section of the banjo. It seemed poorly designed and looked like it could be a weak spot on a otherwise solid looking machine.
Just my 2 cents.

[Brian Kent]

I looked at the Laguna lathes in Atlanta this past June at the symposium. There was a guy demonstrating on one in the trade show area. He was turning & coring some pretty good sized bowls some where around 16" dia or so I'd guess. The lathe handled them well. Over all impression was that it looked like a pretty good machine for the price. The only thing that stood out to me was the upright section of the banjo. It seemed poorly designed and looked like it could be a weak spot on a otherwise solid looking machine.
Just my 2 cents.

What is your impression of the banjo?

[Brodie Brickey]

I'm not sure why someone would buy this lathe over a PM3520B. 2" less swing. 200 lbs less in mass. $200 less? At those prices, you bite the bullet and find the extra $200.

It may also be challenging to find accessories for a lathe with 18" swing when the standard is 16 or 20".

[Brian Kent]

I am seeing $2249 for the Revo 18/36 (Rockler) vs $3,999 for the PM3520B. That is $1,750 difference rather than $200. What am I misunderstanding in your post, Brodie?

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

Brian I didn't like the banjo. It had a split down the whole length of the upright part of it & looked weak if I remember correctly. IMO

What is your impression of the banjo?

[John Keeton]

The banjo is very solid. The "split" is how it squeezes down on the post of the rest instead of having the turn screw pressing against the rest post. I actually like Laguna's arrangement better. I did note in the review I posted some things I would like to see addressed and those included a couple of minor changes to the banjo. Strength wise, I don't see any issues.

[Brodie Brickey]

I am seeing $2249 for the Revo 18/36 (Rockler) vs $3,999 for the PM3520B. That is $1,750 difference rather than $200. What am I misunderstanding in your post, Brodie?

I saw 3799 as the expected price in the original post? Did I cross products? If so, my mistake.

[Russell Stanton]

3799 was for the 24/36 Revo so a 24 inch swing vs Powermatic 20 inch and for 200 less

[ALAN HOLLAR]

The Revo 18" swing lathe has a retail price of $2499, $1500 less than the 3520B. The projected retail price of the new 24" swing Revo lathe is $200 less than the 3520, but 4" more swing. Personal experience with the Revo 18" swing lathe shows me a solid, firm clamping pressure for the tool rest from the banjo, without having to crasnk down on the clamping screw.

[Tony French]

I seem to have created some confusion. I will see if I can clarify some things by going through the Laguna lathes.

Laguna currently offers 3 large lathes. They are called the Revo 1836, Revo 2036 and Revo 2436. The new Lathe that is coming out is the second version of the Revo 2436. For the sake of trying to clear up the confusion, I am going to append the V1 or V2 to the only lathe in this discussion that has a new model. So the original would be Revo 2436V1 and the new would be Revo 2436V2

Revo 1836:
list $2500, on sale frequently for $2250
The Revo 1836 has been out for a while and can be seen in person at Rockler or Woodcraft. I have been looking at it and I am quite impressed with it. It has many nice design features: a polished steel bed, cone shaped headstock, 3 increments of built in indexing, a banjo that clamps along the length of the toolrest post rather than a single point, a bed extension with riser that gets you 32" swing and 56" between centers. You can get very good and detailed reviews of the Revo 1836 at the following locations among others:
Creek member John Keeton's review of the Revo 1836:
John Keeton Revo 1836 Review (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?241930-A-Hands-On-review-of-the-Laguna-Revo-1836)

ToolMetrix Review of the Revo 1836:
ToolMetrix Revo 1836 Review (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh93urQaXuA)
ToolMetrix Revo 1836 Indexing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62lqG-K2Rts)

Review at Canadian Woodworking (https://www.canadianwoodworking.com/laguna-revo-1836-lathe)

Revo 2036
$3500
Very similar to the Grizzly G0799
Nothing changing that I am aware of in the near future with this lathe.

Revo 2436V1
$4000
Very similar to the Grizzly G0800
Have heard good things from a couple of creek members.

Revo 2436V2 (this is the lathe that this whole post was intended to be about)
Not released, target release by the end of the year, target price $3800.
I originally found out about this because of the ad (pictured in my original post) for this new lathe in the October 2016 edition of American Woodturner magazine.
Shares the design features of the Revo 1836. Also added a second control box for ON/OFF, Emergency Stop, and Speed that at least in the ad is mounted to the tailstock.

[John Beaver]

I had the fortune to do a demonstration at Laguna headquarters this weekend.

I turned on the newest version of the Revo 18/36 and it was very sweet. Stable and smooth with some nice features. This one had swing away for tail stock and bed extension.
For a lot less money then the Powermatic I would definitely look at this lathe. I can't speak to the Grizzly, but the fit and finish of this lathe is very good and it is incredibly well thought out. There are a few adjustments I would make, (probably same as Keeton's) but nothing that would be a deal breaker.

I didn't use, but got to check out the new Revo 2436.
If the price is $4000, that is equal to the Powermatic 3520 and almost half the equivalent sized Powermatic.
Again, some really nice features - pre-threaded for a vacuum chuck, complex indexing wheel, dual control panels (one fixed, one magnetic), really neat holder for a lamp, holder for drives and centers on the tail stock etc.

In my experience, Laguna has done a admirable job of improving their customer service and their new machines are well designed and made. I also used the new 14" bandsaw in my demo and it is a joy to operate.