Lathe Choice

[Pete Staehling]

I think I am finally ready to make the plunge on a new lathe. I bought a cheap HF bench top to get my feet wet and figure out what I wanted to do with a lathe, what I needed to do that, and how that might fit into my shop space. I don't regret my time with the HF cheapie, I think I'd have likely bought the wrong thing if I'd have spent more money in the beginning and it would have been more painful to make the switch now.

I think that the size and feature set of the Nova 1624 II matches my needs pretty well. Line by line it looks like a great match. I think I'll be happy with it for the foreseeable future, but wonder if there are any other models with a very similar form factor and feature set that I ought to be considering. I definitely want floor standing model that doesn't take up much more space. A similar capacity is required, as is variable speed, a similar speed range, reversing, and spindle indexing.

I also wonder about thoughts of the difference between the old and new 1624. At the moment both seem to be available with a $200 difference in price.

[William McAloney]

After much research, I chose the Nova 1624 II and don't regret it. It's a great lathe for the price. Personally, I don't mind taking a minute or two to change spindle speed, but maybe someday I will get the VFD upgrade. The only complaint about it is the banjo lock and the toolpost lock are too close together, sometimes making it awkward to get things locked down.
Would I like to have a PM or Robust AB? Of course, but I am happy with the Nova and can get a lot more chucks, turning tools, and accessories instead.

[Pete Staehling]

Okay so, I have been waffling a little. I am wondering about getting a VFD model. Maybe the 1624 with the upgraded motor (maybe $1900 shipped)? The Nova Saturn 55241 ($2000 shipped)? The Grizzly G0838 ($1,595+$119 Freight)?

[Pete Staehling]

More waffling... I did a little reconfiguring of the shop and decided I have just slightly more space than I thought. I also just realized that my size requirements regarding floor space were misguided in some ways in that I did not account for the fact that the motor hangs over the end of the bed and I can actually get some of the larger lathes in the same space by sliding the head down the bed a way and eliminating the overhang. so the the for example the Jet 1640 and 1840 can both be about a foot shorter than their overall listed footprint. That puts some of the 40" machines in my size range and opens three of the Jet machines to my list. I have been very happy with the other Jet machines I own and the support i have received from Jet. With the current 10% off deal I am really going to look over the specs 1440, 1640, and 1840 to see if one of them looks like the right choice.

[richard shelby]

I've owned the 1624-II for several years and loved it. The only upgrade I've done is the VFD motor which simply makes changing speeds more convienient. For me, the next step to an 18" lathe would not be helpful for two reasons (1) I'm 72 years old, and an 18" piece of wet oak weighs more than I can lift and easily mount. and (2) rewiring the shop for 220v is a bit too much. Now a "Sweet Sixteen" is something to dream about.

[Pete Staehling]

I've owned the 1624-II for several years and loved it. The only upgrade I've done is the VFD motor which simply makes changing speeds more convienient. For me, the next step to an 18" lathe would not be helpful for two reasons (1) I'm 72 years old, and an 18" piece of wet oak weighs more than I can lift and easily mount. and (2) rewiring the shop for 220v is a bit too much. Now a "Sweet Sixteen" is something to dream about.
I am about 4 years behind you. I am starting to think that by the time I buy a Nova 1624 and upgrade to a VFD motor I can get a Jet 1640 with the current 10% off and free shipping it is a wash cost wise and the Jet is more lathe. The 220v upgrade isn't a big deal to me since the lathe will be next to the electrical panel and I worked as an electrician for quite a few years in a previous life.

I think I can give up the extra floor space. Given that I can slide the head down the bed so the motor doesn't hang over the end it can be pretty close to the same footprint and when I need the longer bed I can move it into the aisle and temporarily clog up the aisle a bit (or work with the roll up door open). I think it is a workable solution.

[Dan Bevilacqua]

Pete, I've been turning on a Jet 1640evs for about 1 1/2 years now. This would be an excellent choice. It is an excellent piece of machinery.

[tom lucas]

Keep in mind that big swing isn't just for big wood. Think about platters, winged bowls, frames, and offset turnings. And being able to put the tool rest under a piece while turning is nice too and it usually takes about 2" from the usable swing. My thoughts after using a lathe with 15" swing: I need more capacity and set my minimum at 18" when upgrading.

[Chris Hachet]

Pete, I've been turning on a Jet 1640evs for about 1 1/2 years now. This would be an excellent choice. It is an excellent piece of machinery.

I have turned on a few of these, should do almost anything you reasonably want it to do.

[Steve Nix]

I’ve had a jet 1642 for 7 years with no problems, didn’t have he 5 year warranty a single time. If the 1640 is as good as the 1642 you can’t go wrong.

[David M Peters]

Hi Pete, I'd invite you to check out my "big list of lathes" spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nu6Tp9Suaiok1OVoqfaLa8_fBy82j7SctA2O9NacBA0/edit#gid=0) to get more ideas. You can winnow down the choices by going to Data > Create new Filter View.

[Pete Staehling]

Hi Pete, I'd invite you to check out my "big list of lathes" spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nu6Tp9Suaiok1OVoqfaLa8_fBy82j7SctA2O9NacBA0/edit#gid=0) to get more ideas. You can winnow down the choices by going to Data > Create new Filter View.
Thanks. that would have been very useful if I had seen it before I ordered my lathe :)

That said I think the Jet 1640 will be a good choice for me. I have been very happy with Jet stuff in general and their customer support has been very good on the few occasions that I have needed it. I think the 1640 feature set will be a pretty good match for my needs.

Anyone have any idea what kind of turn around time they are likely to have on delivery to Tallahassee? Woodcraft declined to even give me an estimate.

[Steve Nix]

https://www.southern-tool.com/store/jet-jwl-1640evs.php
ck with southern tool.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

You ordered the Jet? I have a 1642 2hp and am happy with it. It's pretty old. You won't be unhappy. I also have (2) 1014 minis. They are all solid. If you have the space, keep the small lathe. I use the minis for all the small stuff.
Congrats!

[Dueane Hicks]

Get the biggest, heaviest, largest swing lathe you can afford! Look on the used market also. I found a great lathe (laguna 18/47) with a bunch of large bowl blanks and tools, and a couple chucks; for less than half of what a new one would have cost. Keep your eyes peeled!

[Stark Suggs]

That's a great reference David. Thanks for sharing.

SWS

[bob pfohler]

That's a great reference David. Thanks for sharing.

SWS
I agree. I’ve been thinking about the Laguna 1836 but after looking at the sheet I may look closer at the Jet 1840.

[Alex Zeller]

If it was me I wouldn't get a non-variable speed lathe. I think I would shy away from a reeves drive as well. VFDs are cheap enough now that it's really the only way to go.

[ChrisA Edwards]

I got very close to pulling the trigger on the Laguna 1836, while it was on sale in January, but after talking to a few folks, they persuaded me to 'Buy Once, Cry Once', so I went for it's bigger brother, the Laguna 24/36 and bought the 20" extension at the same time. I've had it about 3 weeks, but haven't even turned it on yet.

[Thomas Wilson80]

I got very close to pulling the trigger on the Laguna 1836, while it was on sale in January, but after talking to a few folks, they persuaded me to 'Buy Once, Cry Once', so I went for it's bigger brother, the Laguna 24/36 and bought the 20" extension at the same time. I've had it about 3 weeks, but haven't even turned it on yet.


I did similar - have had the Laguna 2436 for about 8 months and love it! Can't imagine going back to a smaller lathe with fewer features.
Tom

[Dave Keele]

Hi Pete, I'd invite you to check out my "big list of lathes" spreadsheet (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nu6Tp9Suaiok1OVoqfaLa8_fBy82j7SctA2O9NacBA0/edit#gid=0) to get more ideas. You can winnow down the choices by going to Data > Create new Filter View.

Mr. Peters. I, and a friend, are looking at lathe options and we found your spreadsheet very interesting and most helpful. I do have a question. Can you please tell me what the "score" number is telling me? I see the formula used, but must admit that I don't understand it.

Thank you.

[David M Peters]

Mr. Peters. I, and a friend, are looking at lathe options and we found your spreadsheet very interesting and most helpful. I do have a question. Can you please tell me what the "score" number is telling me? I see the formula used, but must admit that I don't understand it.

Thank you.

I'm glad you've found it useful! The score is something I did for fun, it's kind of like the NFL Quarterback scoring system. Positive points for HP and weight, negative points for cost:

HP x 33+Weight ÷7.5-Cost ÷60

I fudged the scalars so that each category would be roughly 100 points, ish. Here's a link (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nu6Tp9Suaiok1OVoqfaLa8_fBy82j7SctA2O9NacBA0/edit#gid=0&fvid=1773184530) to the data sorted by score, basically it puts heavy, powerful, imported machines like the Grizzly G0800 on top. My "boutique" (credit to my sister for that description) American Beauty doesn't fare very well in this system!

[bob pfohler]

I did some research on the Jet 1840 EVS. The headstock only slides and does not pivot .

[Dave Keele]

I'm glad you've found it useful! The score is something I did for fun, it's kind of like the NFL Quarterback scoring system. Positive points for HP and weight, negative points for cost:

HP x 33+Weight ÷7.5-Cost ÷60

I fudged the scalars so that each category would be roughly 100 points, ish. Here's a link (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nu6Tp9Suaiok1OVoqfaLa8_fBy82j7SctA2O9NacBA0/edit#gid=0&fvid=1773184530) to the data sorted by score, basically it puts heavy, powerful, imported machines like the Grizzly G0800 on top. My "boutique" (credit to my sister for that description) American Beauty doesn't fare very well in this system!

Thank you.

[Robert D Evans]

I went to the spreadsheet and pulled up the formula for the score.

Horsepower x 33 + lathe weight/7.5 - price/60.

I can't really tell if a higher score is better or not. The spreadsheet is full of good information and would let you narrow down your search. I like the cost per pound stats.

[tom lucas]

Scoring is a common practice where spreadsheets are used to create a "forced choice matrix comparison" whereby characteristics are weighted based on importance, then added or multiplied to yield a composite score. One has to be careful with the weightings and aggregate scores so that the intended outcome is really achieved: best choice. In the formula listed bigger numbers are better; it's basically HP+weight-price. The values are weighted to bring them near equal values for "nominal" metrics (3 HP, 750 lbs, $6000). One would likely get similar outcome without the weights. I didn't look at the spreadsheet, but I would include swing, number & size of bearings, warranty, bed length, and banjo/tailstock quality factor in the matrix.

[John K Jordan]

Scoring is a common practice where spreadsheets are used to create a "forced choice matrix comparison" whereby characteristics are weighted based on importance, then added or multiplied to yield a composite score. One has to be careful with the weightings and aggregate scores so that the intended outcome is really achieved: best choice. In the formula listed bigger numbers are better; it's basically HP+weight-price. The values are weighted to bring them near equal values for "nominal" metrics (3 HP, 750 lbs, $6000). One would likely get similar outcome without the weights. I didn't look at the spreadsheet, but I would include swing, number & size of bearings, warranty, bed length, and banjo/tailstock quality factor in the matrix.

I've used similar methods in spreadsheets but I put arbitrary weighting factors in cells as variables. This makes it easy to adjust the weights and see the effect. In a lathe evaluation spreadsheet this would let users adjust weights on things that may be important to them, such as bed length over weight, HP and swing over cost, etc.

JKJ

[William C Rogers]

The spreadsheet is fine except for the $/lb and score. Neither of these columns add anything in the decision making and IMO are misleading. However it is not my spreadsheet.