New Powermatic 3520C

[Dave Lehnert]

Just had a post on my Facebook page the new Powermatic 3520C wood lathe is on its way. I don't see it on their web page yet to post a link.

Here is what they had to say on Facebook.

There she is folks! The new 3520C
• Moveable control box
• Ergonomic spindle design
• Adjustable riser blocks
• Anti-rotation tailstock key
• Digital indexing readout
• Increased weight
• Increased working capacity between centers

[David M Peters]

Did they post any photos? Curious if it's an enlarged version of the Jet 1840.

[Thom Sturgill]

There is one picture. If on facebook go to the Powermatic page and scroll down a little.

[Bob Bouis]

https://scontent-dft4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/19400339_1523993960984863_5916475333853196205_o.jp g?oh=4b20ec14e18085648535b0c2d522c147&oe=59D83415

It's, uh, different.

[Brice Rogers]

Under lathe lighting?

[Joe Kaufman]

Looks like they got rid of the extended shaft motor, a definite plus.

[William McAnelly]

Looks alot like Grizzly G0800.

[Bill Boehme]

Under lathe lighting?

:D

There's nothing like a string of blue LEDs to make the shavings on the floor sparkle.

[Randy Red Bemont]

Sweet. I'll upgrade to this someday in a year or two!

Red

[John Grace]

I'll be sure to follow who-ever is able to post the side by side comparison of this with the current crop from Grizzly or Laguna. If they're all now made in Asia...it will be interesting to see if the new Powermatic is significantly better enough to warrant what is surely to be the new and 'improved' (i.e. higher) pricing.

[Roger Chandler]

I wonder what the between centers length is, excluding the bed extension? The Powermatic and the Grizzly G0800 are both manufactured by the Harvey Industries Co......in China. Both use Delta Electronics Inverter/motor combinations out of Taiwan. I do like the pendant for the controls on the new model PM-3520C, and the splay of the legs for a wider stance, which generally produces a more stable lathe.

[Reed Gray]

I talked to Nick Cook about it a little bit. I asked about the speed ranges on it and they stayed the same, 50 to 1200, and 50 to 3200, which I didn't like because I preferred the 1500 in low range on the A, and the almost 0 on the low end. Nick said you could call PM, and they would walk you through adjusting the speed ranges. That is a change. I have no clue about what the new electronics will do for it.

robo hippy

[Justin Stephen]

I talked to Nick Cook about it a little bit. I asked about the speed ranges on it and they stayed the same, 50 to 1200, and 50 to 3200, which I didn't like because I preferred the 1500 in low range on the A, and the almost 0 on the low end. Nick said you could call PM, and they would walk you through adjusting the speed ranges. That is a change. I have no clue about what the new electronics will do for it.


Reed, when I was talking with you about the Laguna in KC, I had no idea that the new PM was only 50 feet away (I turn on a 3520B). I see that they have gone to a very similar "ergonomic spindle" as the Laguna.

[Thom Sturgill]

I notice that they indexing holes are missing and it mentions "Digital indexing readout". I'm curious about that feature and about locking the spindle while indexing. Does that give greater control and less than 10 degree steps?

[Reed Gray]

I did forget one other feature, on the banjo, they have a tightening up mechanism similar to the Robust, with a wedge on both sides that pull together for a better grip on the tool rest posts rather than just the set screw. One upgrade they did to improve that was to mill a flat on the back side of the wedges (round bar stock to fit in a round hole, and then a wedge on the end to snug up to the tool rest post) and then put two set screws in banjo to go against the flat. The problem I had with the Robust version is that the wedges would spin/rotate when ever I took the post out, and some times I would have to finagle them around a bit to get the tool rest back into the banjo.

As for the spindle cone, I am not a fan of that. What it does is extend the mounting point farther off the headstock, which adds to vibration issues with any piece over a certain diameter (10 to 12 inches or so), and over 6 or so inches in length/depth. Yes, if you put the tailstock up against the piece, that eliminates the vibration, but for coring bowls, and finish cuts, the tailstock is in the way. Finish cuts are not a real problem if you know how to rub the bevel, but on coring it adds to the vibration.

I took a very close look at the Vicmark pivoting headstock lathe..... For sure, they did the pivoting headstock correctly, really heavy duty, and it resets perfectly without having to mess with it....

robo hippy

[Pat Scott]

Here's a couple of pictures I took of the 3520C, I should have taken more closeups of the banjo and tailstock. The guy I talked to thought the price would be around $4250, or roughly $250 more than the 3520B. The locking levers for the tailstock and banjo will be longer than in the picture, and will feature a knob of some shape on the end.

The bed ways are thicker to increase weight, the legs are solid to increase weight, the tool rest lock is more like the 4224B but I don't know if it's exactly the same. The blue LED lights are just for show, and the bed extension is an option like it is now. The doors to open the tailstock storage area and motor belt are held closed with a magnet. The spindle lock is a dial that you turn which is a more positive lock and doesn't require you to hold it in the locked position. I asked the guy if the there is an override to prevent the lathe from being turned on with the spindle lock engaged, but the answer is no. I do like the control box that can be placed anywhere.
362997 362998 362999 363000 363001 363002

[Greg Parrish]

I like what I see but couldn't justify the price over my Laguna 1836. Thats a lot of coin and if money were no object, I'd rather have a bigger lathe like a Robust AB, the Laguna 24" model (if it's available yet) or possibly even the 24" G0800 Grizzly for about $1k less. Again, I know it's a really nice lathe but I feel there are other good alternatives these days for less money and better options if I saved a little longer. Just my opinion of course.

[John Beaver]

My observations from KC
Hopefully this will answer a few of the above questions.

The control box is great. Has a nice cubby or can be placed anywhere.
Yes the tailstock and banjo locks are not up to par. Hopefully the new ones will be better
They said it goes to 20rpm - indicates "0". I would say 25 is possible, would probably sputter at 20
The spindle lock is a good improvement.
The indexing is on the left side of the head stock, near the handwheel, and there is a digital readout to tell you where you are.
The heavier ways and legs make it more sturdy and heavy.
The toolrest lock down is a cam system, not just a straight screw. Stronger hold, but sometimes finicky to put tool rest into hole.
The spindle is better placed, but only by a little bit. Comparable to any other lathe with square headstock. Not as convinient as new Laguna or Robust. Not a deal breaker, but not perfect.
The legs have height adjustment built in.
It looks like you could squeeze an extra inch between centers if you needed.

Overall nice improvements on an already great lathe.

[Prashun Patel]

Has anyone received and used this lathe? I am looking for reviews, but cannot find any.

[robert baccus]

Remember the quality of a machine is not the appearance or country/company of origin but the company marketing the machine. They specify the design, specs, tolerances and especially quality controls. Also the warranty and service resources.

[Jens Hoffmann]

After being interested in this lathe for a while but not finding a ton of information on it, I finally stumbled upon a fantastic blog post about the lathe with a comparison to its predecessor
Here’s the link for anyone interested : http://carlford.info/blog/2018/03/my_pm_3520c_verses_3520b/

Please let me know if those outside links are not permitted and I’ll remove it

[Brian Kent]

Thank you. Very nice review.

[JohnC Lucas]

Just talked to my friend Pat Matranga who purchased one. she has been turning on a 3520A for a very long time. she likes this one better. I didn't get into specifics. She said it works very similar. she really likes the moveable controller.