shopping for a larger lathe

[Derek Voigt]

In the never ending vortex of lathe upgrades, I am always looking at something bigger. When I upgraded to my 16" nova 7-8 years ago, quickly learned that a 16" swing isn't going to produce me a 16" piece, because I need to fit the too rest under the piece... plus add in the fact that my started piece is rough shaped and needs to be rounded, my 16" lathe will do a about a 13" max. I would like to have the option to go bigger. I'm sure a 20" would work fine, but if I'm spending the money, I would want to go to a 24".

The issue is that 24" lathes are expensive! A oneway, powermatic, or Robust are $6,000-$8,000. They next step under that is grizzly at about $4500 and finally the Laguna a few hundred cheaper then the grizzly. I look for used ones, but they are few and far between to be that size and in my driving radius.

Are there other ones that I should be considering? I would plan to make large open forms, and not just bowls, so I need a long bed too.

Thanks,
Derek

[Jeffrey J Smith]

There's also the VB lathes now made by Steiner, the Magma lathes (Austrian ?) and Vicmark...the bottom line is that going to 24" or larger swing is going to cost. One way to look at it is that after you've parted with that much cash, there is no where to go if you get the bug to 'go larger'. Nearly all the lathes in this category with the exception of the laguna/grizzly/Powermatic asian imports are basically custom made pieces of equipment. Not only do you not need to worry about going larger, but they are in general built like tanks. That's what you're paying for.
I pulled the trigger on a Robust AB nearly 7 years ago. It's still my dream lathe. Best of all the price includes the best, most personal customer service found anywhere in any industry. It was a serious stretch at the time but has paid dividends ever since.
If you can figure it out, just go for it. I doubt you'll be disappointed...and if you are you can generally unload it for about what you paid.

[Brice Rogers]

If you are a professional turner and plan on doing a lot of 20 plus inch platters or bowls or architectural columns, then Oneway, Powermatic, Robust are all good choices.

If you are not a professional but still plan to do a bunch of big things, then consider the Laguna or Griz G0800.

If that is still above your budget, consider the Griz G0766. It'll do 22 x 42. I own one. Interestingly, I had a large 24 to 26" blank and contemplated making a large platter. But I would need to trim it to 22". Because of the form factor, the height of the banjo didn't enter into the equation. But then I thought about the practicality of having a 22" platter. I decided that it would be impractical. I ended up making a 17 or 18" platter (still large) plus a couple of other smaller pieces.

I've read posts from professional production turners that the larger platters don't sell very quickly but that there is a bigger market for perhaps 10 to 12" bowls and platters.

I actually have two banjos for my G0766. So, if I ever wanted to turn a large bowl or hollow form at the full capacity of my lathe (22"), I could locate the banjos at the ends of the piece and insert my long double-stemmed tool rest. That way the banjo would not be under the piece and taking up valuable space.

When you eventually decide on what you're going to get, come back and share.

A last thought - - YOLO (you only live once) - - go for the Powermatic or Robust. You'll probably never regret your decision.

[tom lucas]

Also consider the bigger lathes with extensions, like the laguna. The drop-down extensions gives you 24+" of capacity off the end. You could do the same with others off the end using a floor or leg-mount tool rest. The G0766 gives you 22" and is the best bang for the buck, as is the G0800 at 24". But, if you have the money, Robust, Oneway, or Vicmarc will give you top-of-the-line performance and you'll never want for another.

[Brian Holcombe]

Geiger makes some very serious lathes for turning. I’ve been eyeballing them for other purpose, but thought I’d mention.

[carl mesaros]

You will never regret purchasing a 24" swing lathe. I own the previous generation Laguna 24-36 lathe with 24" bed extension and swing away, which is comparable to the Grizzly G-800. Wonderful lathe.
It was a very good deal prior to the tariffs, still not bad.
Mine will be up for auction on June 1st. in Coshocton Ohio, as we have moved to Oregon.
This was my 3rd lathe as I made the mistake of buying what I thought would be adequate the 2 previous times.

[David Hill]

I too like turning bigger things--and right that 14" and bigger don't move fast--still fun to make though.
in my trek through the vortex I've owned ~8 lathes. Most all were a "step up" from the one before. One was an old iron Oliver that I got on a whim to refurb/sell. The only really new lathe I've bought was my Nova1624--that I still have. I watched CL and got what I thought was my "end" lathe-- a pristine Laguna 18/47. The variable speed is a really nice thing to have. After a year, I still watched CL and a Robust AB came up near me with some extras and my lovely bride let me pull the trigger on it. No more upgrades here.

[Derek Voigt]

You will never regret purchasing a 24" swing lathe. I own the previous generation Laguna 24-36 lathe with 24" bed extension and swing away, which is comparable to the Grizzly G-800. Wonderful lathe.
It was a very good deal prior to the tariffs, still not bad.
Mine will be up for auction on June 1st. in Coshocton Ohio, as we have moved to Oregon.
This was my 3rd lathe as I made the mistake of buying what I thought would be adequate the 2 previous times.

Where are you auctioning it off through? Online or in person?

[carl mesaros]

Where are you auctioning it off through? Online or in person?

It will be held in Coshocton ohio.

[Derek Voigt]

It will be held in Coshocton ohio.
That’s about 4 hours away from me, a little far to travel with the hopes of it being in my price range. Why are you auctioning it instead of just selling it?

[carl mesaros]

That’s about 4 hours away from me, a little far to travel with the hopes of it being in my price range. Why are you auctioning it instead of just selling it?

I have a whole shop full of tools, just easier to sell by auction as we have already moved. Will be a sad day however.

[John Sincerbeaux]

If youÂ’re serious about a high-end, large, heavy duty lathe, you should consider a VB36 from Steinert made in Germany. For turning large bowls and hollow forms, there is no comparison in terms of build, ergonomics, quietness, and stability.
I have turned on a Oneway and a Robust. Both fine lathes, but turning hollow forms on a VB is a luxury experience.
Due your own research, compare shaft sizes and builds. The VBÂ’s bearing system is similar to a turbine engine. The massive shaft rides in a micro film of oil. When the lathe is running, it is nearly silent. The offset design of the bed allows unrestricted access for hollowing. I also like that there is not the typical steel hollow tube that resonates sound to (for me) uncomfortable levels when banging out large chainsawed logs.

[Derek Voigt]

I’ve only see the vb36 as a bowl lathe. Never considered it for hollowing. That is a mountain of a lathe

[Bill Boehme]

Geiger makes some very serious lathes for turning. I’ve been eyeballing them for other purpose, but thought I’d mention.

Don Geiger is a dealer for Robust lathes. He's not the manufacturer.

[John Sincerbeaux]

Don Geiger is a dealer for Robust lathes. He's not the manufacturer.

I think Brian was talking about Geiger the Lathe produced in Germany.

[Derek Voigt]

I have a whole shop full of tools, just easier to sell by auction as we have already moved. Will be a sad day however.

I was going to PM you a question on your lathe to try and under the difference between the new and old version of the Revo 24, but the PM only works for paying members now apparently. From my research it seems like the main difference is the lack of secondary controls. Is there any other difference?

[Roger Chandler]

I was going to PM you a question on your lathe to try and under the difference between the new and old version of the Revo 24, but the PM only works for paying members now apparently. From my research it seems like the main difference is the lack of secondary controls. Is there any other difference?

I'm not Carl, but I do know the differences. The old Revo 24" lathe was a bigger lathe than the new one, as it had a longer bed, which is made from cast iron, where the new Revo 2436 has a steel bed, and is 36" between centers, and has the pendant control for the tailstock area. Also there is a difference in the build in the headstock, which the new Revo 2436 has 2 bearings on the spindle, and the one Carl has has 3 larger bearings on the spindle. The old one is copied from the flagship of the Harvey lathes, the Turbo 60 unit. Which is the same as the Grizzly G0800, which I have in my shop.

The 3 bearings in my G0800 are all bigger than a baseball in diameter and are made for heavy dynamic loads. The extra heavy duty build is the reason I went with the G0800 over the Laguna Revo 2436, even though the pendant control is a very nice feature. I turn a lot of big/heavy wood, and for me the heavy duty build was the issue that sealed my decision. I could have gotten a Robust American Beauty [ was close to pulling the trigger on one, actually] but decided to go with the G0800......I've only had superb performance with the G0800, and am very pleased with my decision!

[carl mesaros]

I'm not Carl, but I do know the differences. The old Revo 24" lathe was a bigger lathe than the new one, as it had a longer bed, which is made from cast iron, where the new Revo 2436 has a steel bed, and is 36" between centers, and has the pendant control for the tailstock area. Also there is a difference in the build in the headstock, which the new Revo 2436 has 2 bearings on the spindle, and the one Carl has has 3 larger bearings on the spindle. The old one is copied from the flagship of the Harvey lathes, the Turbo 60 unit. Which is the same as the Grizzly G0800, which I have in my shop.

The 3 bearings in my G0800 are all bigger than a baseball in diameter and are made for heavy dynamic loads. The extra heavy duty build is the reason I went with the G0800 over the Laguna Revo 2436, even though the pendant control is a very nice feature. I turn a lot of big/heavy wood, and for me the heavy duty build was the issue that sealed my decision. I could have gotten a Robust American Beauty [ was close to pulling the trigger on one, actually] but decided to go with the G0800......I've only had superb performance with the G0800, and am very pleased with my decision!

I am Carl and want to say Roger is spot on. Great heavy duty lathe and great value for the $$, even with the ridiculous tariffs.

[Derek Voigt]

Great information about thanks. I didn’t know that the G0800 was that heavy duty of a lathe too. I assumed that extra cost went somewhere!

[David Delo]

Derek,

Just in case you haven't seen it on this site, here's a link to an interesting discussion that has a few good pieces of information:

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?247760-New-Version-of-the-Laguna-Revo-24-36-Lathe

[Reed Gray]

The main reason I went for a bigger lathe was for more horse power, not the bigger turning capacity. If you sell, the market for bowls over 14 inch diameter is limited, and finding trees that size is a bit limited as well. I do have a Robust Liberty, which then no longer make and it has a 16 inch throw, with a 2 hp motor. Nice lathe, but I am thinking the mid sized lathes should be 18 inch, which would allow for 16 inch bowls to be turned fairly easily. I think there are a couple of them on the market, Laguna and Grizzly maybe??? I have one of the early ABs, and prefer the 3 speed pulley system. They have switched to 2 speeds now. Mostly for me, the low speed range was too low for smaller bowls, and the high speed range didn't have the torque for coring. I also have a Vicmarc. I do like it, but have yet to really give it a hard work out, only 40 or so bowls on it. It also has 3 pulleys on it. I guess it depends on what you can find and what you need. I do prefer the sliding headstocks for bowl turning.

robo hippy

[Reed Gray]

Carl, what part of Oregon? I am in Eugene...

robo hippy

[carl mesaros]

[QUOTE=Reed Gray;2930874]Carl, what part of Oregon? I am in Eugene...

robo hippy

Hello I have met you at your woodturning club a few years ago.
we have recently moved to La Pine.
Hope to visit you in Eugene when we visit the kids.