Another this vs that thread

[Chris Steffen]

Hello Everyone.

This is my first time posting but have been reading for a long time. I really appreciate all of the knowledge and information that flys around this forum. It's simply amazing.

I am looking to upgrade from a bench top lathe to a full sized. I have it narrowed down to a couple of models but am having a hard time deciding which is the best for me, and I am hoping someone can give me some insight to put one over the top. I do some medium sized bowl turning, and some minor spinle turning, mostly things like ornaments and pens. I am 5' 10" on a good day so I have ruled out the Grizzly line for the most part as I think they are too tall. Although I do love my Grizzly Table Saw. Footprint is not a concern as I have plenty of space - maybe too much because it lets me spend up on tools haha. I have also mostly ruled out Jet as I don't think the additional cost adds enough value wise, and there seems to be some quality control issues with things like paint, which while petty would drive me nuts on a $3,000 hopefully forever lathe.

I am down to the Laguna 1836 or the Nova Galaxi. Both on 220 power.

I do not have a dealer near me that has them in stock for me to play with so I have to rely on You Tube etc to make my decision. What gives me the most pause on the Galaxi are the electronics. I live in Colorado Springs and it is extremely dry here. I saw some reports of Galaxi's failing from static shock which happens here a lot. I also for the life of me cannot find the measurement for the floor to spindle which seems odd to me. What gives me the most pause on the Laguna is in a similar line of thought in that some of the switches and relays appear to be on the lower end of quality, as well as the bearing configuration. Price point is close with the Galaxi being a bit cheaper, but all lathes are expensive in this range now a days haha.

I sincerely appreciate any help or insight this amazing community can offer.

Thanks again.

Chris

[Edward Weber]

One thing I would suggest is, don't worry too much about spindle height.
Yes it's a consideration when it comes to turning comfort, but it can easily be compensated for by making a small platform to stand on, usually with an anti fatigue mat.

Also, as we get older, we typically don't enjoy bending over as much. I would say your spindle height would be about 45.5 or 46 inches.
I would say get the lathe you want and worry about the height after you get it. You may find yourself adding leveling legs, wheels or some type of mobile base.
Once all those things are established, then you can address the height.

[Chris Steffen]

So if I throw out height, is the Grizzly line a superior build than the Galaxi or 1836?

[Sam Force]

I've got 2 friends with the Grizzly G0766 and both are extremely satisfied with that lathe. 22 inch swing and 3hp motor, makes a good lathe.

[Chris Steffen]

I had scratched the Grizzly off my list so my memory may be a bit off, but I think some of the other concerns I had were related to the banjo needing to be drilled out to accept a 1" rest, some strangeness in how the head locked and some high level consistency concerns. In addition to the height, oh and the high cost of shipping. I think I am pretty set on the Galaxi or 1836, leaning toward the 1836.

[tom lucas]

You have old information on the Grizzly G0766. Banjo has been enlarged, improved, and has a true 1" hole. Lathe is actually on the tall side, at least for me. I'm 5'9" and use 2" of floor mat to make it more comfortable for me. No issues of any kind with it. Simple headstock lock with no mechanical things to fail. Modern phase converter and speed control. Works great. Best bang for the buck, I think. I've turned on some Novas, and I much prefer my Grizzly. I really didn't care for the digital interface. I didn't perceive one thing about the Novas that stood out as better. Nothing wrong with Novas, nor Grizzly, nor many others. But you'd be hard pressed to find 3 HP, sliding head, 22" cut, and 46" length in any other lathe for the price. If I were buying again today the G0766 would still be high on my list.

[Sam Force]

Will add that both of my friends that own the G0766 have turned multiple times on my PM3520 and decided for the price difference to go with the Grizzly. Where are you located? Maybe you could turn on some of the options you are looking at if owners are close by. There is a Grizzly Green Monster Group on this website, check it out

https://sawmillcreek.org/group.php?groupid=29

[Chris Steffen]

I live in Colorado Springs, CO. I'll check out the group thank you! I live up a dirt driveway, when Grizzly delivered my table saw I'll just say my delivery experience wasn't amazing haha. I may still be bitter about that.

It's funny I kind of expected folks to say Laguna 1836 all day and twice on Sunday, but Grizzly may have a better reputation in lathes than I thought.

[John Keeton]

Chris, just so you don’t think the limited responses you have received weigh heavily against the 1836, just know that I love my Laguna and would put it up against any lathe. The ergonomics of the 1836 are great, at 2hp I have never seen the need for more. Quality is superb and with the bed extension mounted low one has 32” of swing. I have had mine for several years and no issues.

[John Kananis]

I'm not as skilled or proficient as some of the guys here but I'll say that I really like my 18/36 and haven't been jealous of another machine since I bought it.

[tom lucas]

I live in Colorado Springs, CO. I'll check out the group thank you! I live up a dirt driveway, when Grizzly delivered my table saw I'll just say my delivery experience wasn't amazing haha. I may still be bitter about that.

It's funny I kind of expected folks to say Laguna 1836 all day and twice on Sunday, but Grizzly may have a better reputation in lathes than I thought.

Issues with delivery are a reflection on the trucking company. They are not Grizzly. Likely depends on the quality of the trucking companies/drivers that frequent your neighborhood. So any tool delivered by freight truck would likely use the same carriers.

I've had several tools delivered. Mostly good experiences. Only once did I get a lazy driver who only wanted to do the bare minimum required of him: Left it at the end of my short and flat driveway in the rain. Refused to use his forklift to pull it into my garage only 75 feet away.

[Chris Steffen]

Hm, found a Laguna 2436 used for about 3300, have to admit that's tempting.

The more I look at the Galaxi the more the electronics worry me. Only a 2 year warranty on the motor and if that cooks it seems like the machine is a paperweight with the cost and ability to fix.

[Reed Gray]

I would guess that there is a club in Colorado Springs. Ask friends if you can play on their lathes. My preference for bowl turning would be 2 hp motor, 220 volt, and 16 to 18 height/bowl size. You seldom will turn over 14 inches, or anyway, I don't. I have always been leery of Grizzly. Mostly because their quality is hit or miss. I think their quality has improved though. Of the ;atjes I know of, I would prefer the Jet 16 inch lathe. I don't know if they still make it or not since they now make an 18 inch version. I think they have the best warranty out there. My favorite to turn on is my Vicmark 240, which has the pivoting headstock. It has 3 speed ranges which I prefer, mostly for coring bowls. High speed range on most lathes doesn't like coring. Low speed range is too slow for me when it comes to turning smaller bowls. The mid range is perfect for both. The Vic also has a minimum speed of about 10 rpm, which I need for sanding out my warped bowls. Many lathes turn off at 50 rpm, which is way too fast for sanding warped bowls. Banjos are another thing to consider. Not sure if Grizzly has changed this or not, but they used to need a much longer post on their tool rests. Not a fan of that idea at all. I think Robust has the best locking mechanism for tool rests, which pulls 2 wedges up against the tool rest post. The single set screw tends to get loose. I don't like my tool rest moving when I am turning. The 3520C has a similar mechanism. I think Oneway uses a longer handle on their set screw which works well for keeping the tool rest in place. On my old 3520A, I ended up using 2 set screws to keep the tool rest from slipping.

robo hippy

[John Keeton]

Chris, unless there are some accessories with the 2436 the price seems a little high. But, you would be saving sales tax depending on your locale. The spindle height at 44 1/2” may fit you better than the 1836, but as mentioned one can accommodate various heights. I am 5’ 7” and the 1836 is perfect for me.

[Chris Steffen]

Oh interesting. It's $4000 new, I thought the $600 saving on the used market was actually pretty good. Admittedly so few full sized lathes come up I might not be properly calibrated on my expectations. Appreciate the feedback!

[John Keeton]

The price may be OK if it is fairly new, not so much if it is a few years old and used hard.

[Chris Steffen]

It looks brand new, but still maybe not the deal I thought it was.

[tom lucas]

As far as I can tell from forum posts, there's been very few Nova drive failures. I think they are pretty reliable, with a big user base. I just hate the membrane switch control panel. Have you considered a Harvey T60? That looks like one really nice lathe.

I would seriously consider that Laguna 2436, if it's in like new condition. But, I'd not pay more than about $2800 for it. Laguna's have a track record kinda like Grizzly. Some buyers get great machines. Others have had issues. So if it's an issue free lathe at the right price.....

[John Keeton]

Laguna's have a track record kinda like Grizzly. Some buyers get great machines. Others have had issues. So if it's an issue free lathe at the right price.....Tom, prior to the introduction of the Revo lathes that may have been the case, but Laguna did a lot of research and put quality control measures in place with that change. I don’t think that is the case now.

At the risk of irritating a lot of folks, I have taught at John C. Campbell for about 10 years. They have had PM lathes the entire time and having spent hundreds of hours on them I would never own one. My Laguna is a superior lathe IMO.

[Chris Steffen]

What model Laguna do you have if you don't mind me asking? Apologies if you posted it already.

[John Keeton]

1836 2hp. Love it!

[Brice Rogers]

I bought a G0766 about 6 years ago.

It had some minor issues when I bought it but most - - if not all - - have been fixed.

Banjo tool post size - was 25 mm and the new ones are 1".
Spindle height - - the new ones are roughly 1-1/2" lower. New and shorter legs on the new ones.
Banjo hardware - new and improved.
Spindle threads - improved.
Shoulder on spindle (was a few thou oversize and interfered with some lower-limit faceplates) - - unknown. But it takes less than 5 minutes with a file to correct. So whether or not it was fixed, it is close to a non-issue.

My Griz has been trouble free and reliable. If I were a professional and did 2000 hours of turning a year, I'd buy an American Beauty or Oneway or something high end. But for hobby use, my Griz 0766 is a very high value proposition lathe - - meaning lots of features at a good cost. If you have an issue, tech support was good.

[Jim Tobias]

I have had and used a Laguna 1836 for about 5 years(stepped up from Jet Mini). I have not had any major issues and like the lathe very much. It is very heavy and stable. I use the mobile kit that Laguna has to move it when needed. It has had all the capacity I have needed but, having said that......you oftentimes want more as you turn longer. I would check out the Used 2436 and see if he can show you paperwork that gives you more age info. In one way, if he has used it some with no issues (but not too much), then it is probably a very solid buy.
Just my thoughts.....good luck.
Jim

[Chris Steffen]

I just got back from Woodcraft, that may have been a mistake haha. You sure do pick up a lot going to the Laguna 2436 which I am now leaning towards. Who needs a budget anyway lol. For the price difference I may just buy it new and know what I am getting and have a point of contact at Woodcraft. I can't afford it but woah the Rikon 70-3040 is a NICE machine. Especially if space is a factor.

Hopefully nobody chimes in and says the 2436 is the qworst lathe in the history of mankind, it may send me into the asylum haha.

[John Keeton]

Always smart to have hands on a lathe before you buy. My 1836 was ordered through Woodcraft after playing on their demo model.

[Harold Walsh]

Chris, I have owned several Nova lathes from the 1624, to the Galaxi and the last one being the Orion. Never had an issue from any of them but I felt uncomfortable with DVR motors, which was my problem. I was thinking in long terms of reliability and service over the years and guess I got a little paranoid with ownership. I now own a Record Coronet Envoy which I purchased from Highland Woodworking. I have had it for a year and a half and it is truly rugged and well built. It has a sliding and rotating head stock and that is a feature the Nova's also have and one that I prefer over a stationary one. My height is 5'10" also and from the ground to the center of the spindle is 43". I put my lathe on casters which makes it 45" to the center of the spindle. I'm very comfortable while turning with the rotating head stock and at that height too. Check out the Record Coronet Envoy at Highland Woodworking and on Youtube also. Good luck on your search.

[tom lucas]

I just got back from Woodcraft, that may have been a mistake haha. You sure do pick up a lot going to the Laguna 2436 which I am now leaning towards. Who needs a budget anyway lol. For the price difference I may just buy it new and know what I am getting and have a point of contact at Woodcraft. I can't afford it but woah the Rikon 70-3040 is a NICE machine. Especially if space is a factor.

Hopefully nobody chimes in and says the 2436 is the qworst lathe in the history of mankind, it may send me into the asylum haha.


Yes the Rikon 70-3040 is an interesting lathe and looks to be well made. However, the lack of a sliding head stock would be a deal breaker for me.

[John Kananis]

The cost of your lathe (whether the 18/36 or the 24/36) is not so much once you start adding up what you spend to use it. I purchased my 18/36 for 3k... I wound up spending quite a bit more than that (quite a bit) within a couple weeks after purchase.

[Chris Steffen]

Dang, that's a lot of chucks haha. I'm leaning toward the 2436 pretty heavily now, cry once philosophy. Wish I knew when Laguna would throw a 10% discount up. I'll purchase through Woodcraft, makes me feel better having a human to gripe to should I need to. They also have the warranty shtick but I've always been told nit to buy thosre, but for large equipment like this maybe I just read the brochure haha

[Mick Fagan]

I've had my 2436 lathe since 2018, it has been nothing short of brilliant.

I did have some minor issues, but nothing to worry about. Presumably there are some minor differences to the current machine, but by and large it is very well designed.

Essentially the 2436 is like having an 1836 on steroids. The power delivery is astounding, smooth as and it never stops coming.

Every accessory for the 1836 fits the 2436 and they all work perfectly, with the exception of the swing out for the tail stock. The swing away for the tail stock cannot handle the weight of the 2436 tail stock; which is huge by comparison.

I would suggest the best accessory you can get is the bed extension, this really opens up possibilities. The bed extension can be placed in five positions. I have seen one picture of a 2436 with two bed extensions where the headstock had been put on one of the bed extensions as far back as it could go, while the tailstock was as far away as it was possible. Porch poles, maybe?

I just love the wheel kit.

Ps: forgot to mention I'm on the short side and reducing at a reasonable rate these days 173cm or about 68 inches in your language. Tool rest height is perfect for me.

[Chris Steffen]

Well Laguna has managed to temp me.

They have a scratch and dent 2436 factory assembled and tested for an all in cost of 3,800. That's delivery and tax included. I expressed that I was nervous about shipping a fully assembled machine halfway across the country, plus having to move it on my side. To they offered a mobile base unit half off for 350. So for an all in of about 4,200 it would be an unused but scratched 2436 with the mobile base. The unit comes with a 6 month warranty.

Any thoughts on this deal?

I sincerely appreciate all of the input thus far - very helpful!

[Mick Fagan]

Effectively, scratches and bumps will disappear once you start using it. Plus, about the only issues you may have are with the electronics and no matter which brand machine you get, if it has variable speed and other such stuff, they are all in the same boat.

The ergonomics of the machine are important and if they fit with your way of working, then that machine should see you out. Bearings if they are ever an issue, take around 1-2 hours to replace and under $50.00 AUD at any bearing shop.

The wheel kit is a no brainer, makes moving the machine easy peasy; I love my wheel kit.

If you can, order it with two lamps, one goes on the headstock, the other goes on the tailstock out the back. It is the best lighting I have ever used on a lathe and friends who have seen my lathe in action, or have used it, go away figuring out how to have the same lighting set-up.

Have you telephoned them back with a huge YES, yet?

[Mick Fagan]

This is with the bed extension on, you can see the two lamps.


493682

[Chris Steffen]

haha I have not called them back yet. The young lady at Laguna is incredibly helpful. It's helped to set aside some of my concerns about their customer service if I'm being honest. I guess my biggest fear is related to the shipping. Shipping a fully assembled lathe where millimeters matter as far as alignment makes me nervous. With it shipping assembled I don't see a way around the mobile base so that's a great deal. 6 month warranty vs 2 year new is a bit of a downer, but I imagine most major failures and such which would be covered would likely happen in the first 6 months anyway. Oye my head.

[Chris Steffen]

In other news I just discovered I can change the display setting on this forum from Hybrid to Linear - oh thank God haha. The threads were making my nutty.

[John Keeton]

I am surprised they would ship it fully assembled as it would be easier to crate up disassembled. But, if that is the deal I would say yes, but on the delivery inspection I would note no visible damage on crated item assuming there isn’t visible damage.

[Chris Steffen]

I just wanted to circle back to this thread and post my experience after purchase.

After much debate I settled on the Laguna 2436. To say I am thrilled with this machine would be a huge understatement. I would encourage anyone on the fence to go for it. I did my own electrical and installed a 220 cutoff switch to protect the VSD when I'm not using it, just more convenient than unplugging. But the machine itself has all the power in the world, arrived dead center aligned and was very easy to setup. The tool rest is top notch quality as well.

Thank you again to everyone that helped contribute to my thread, I sincerely appreciate it. Happy turning!

[Robert Hayward]

Thanks for reporting the end result.

Hopefully your cutoff switch also breaks ground. A ground wire can carry a surge just like the other wires.

[John Foley]

I'm not as skilled or proficient as some of the guys here but I'll say that I really like my 18/36 and haven't been jealous of another machine since I bought it.

I agree completely with Johns comments. I have had mine for just under two years.