Jim Becker
01-25-2004, 9:44 PM
As eluded to in some other threads, I just "upgraded" my lathe to something I've been drooling over since the AAW symposium in Providence RI back in 2002...the Stubby 750. LOML's comment was, "How many lathes does that make?" Sheesh. Good point. 'Shoulda' bought this the first time around, but "who knew..."?? :D
Manufactured by Omega Tool and Engineering Pty Ltd in Australia, this unique machine offers a lot of versatility. Well known turner John Jordan is the prime importer and sales outlet for the US, although Craft Supplies and a woodturning concern on the left-coast also import the machines now. There was no question I would buy from John, however, and his version is slightly different than the stock machine with a little shorter bed and the Jordan name in the casting.
This is a 750 lb tool, yet it was easy for one person (moi) to unload from the crate and assemble in the shop. I had it delivered to the "local" Roadway terminal and they loaded it onto the pickup with a boom. This saved a bunch of money as residential delivery is costly and in my case, difficult unless they can use a straight truck due to the driveway configuration. By completely disassembling the machine while de-crating, I was able to lift everything unassisted. The heavy cast iron base-structure was the heaviest, but going from the tailgate to the top of the router table just inside the door was not problem at all.
Assembly took about four hours, including time spent cleaning protective coatings that keep rust away in transit. Due to the shipping company knocking the center foot off the pallet/crate, there was some minor paint scraping, but no damage to the machine.
First Impressions - Pro:
1) This is a quality tool...very heavy and well designed.
2) The stand itself is well over 225 lbs and is rock-solid. It's important that it be assembled perfectly square as the heavy cast iron of the lathe can still distort under it's own weight and cause the centers not to line up
3) With swing up to 30", this machine can handle projects that many other high-end machines require expensive additions to accommodate
4) The unique sliding ways and auxiliary bed allow for a huge amount of versatility. While this is primarily a "short bed" lathe best suited to bowl and vessel turning, it can also handle spindles up to 34" long through reconfiguration of the bed and aux bed
5) The Stubby comes with two tool rest bases which can be very convenient when working with large objects, both wide and long
6) This is one of the only machines on the market to have a vacuum port on the headstock that eliminates the need for expensive rotary adapters, etc. Just screw in a 1/4" NPT fitting, connect to your vacuum system, drive a wood plug in the outboard end of the hollow spindle and your're ready to go!
7) The 2hp VFD motor has plenty of power and two ranges; 0-1200. and 0-3300 rpm. Switching ranges is quick and easy by simply opening the heavy hinged top of the headstock, losening the motor and moving the belt over to the other pulley combination. A remote start/stop switch with a magnetic case is standard and there is an emergency stop that is easy to reach with both one's hand and one's knee
First Impressions - Things I'd like a little different:
1) The knockout bar hangs up in the hand wheel on my unit
2) The speed control is low on the machine and in a less convenient spot than I am used to. It would be better to have this control up higher where it is easier to see and less prone to catching curls, chips and dust
Pictures
1) The great arrival
2) Stand Assembly
3) Headstock installed
4) Motor Installed
5) Ready to go!
Manufactured by Omega Tool and Engineering Pty Ltd in Australia, this unique machine offers a lot of versatility. Well known turner John Jordan is the prime importer and sales outlet for the US, although Craft Supplies and a woodturning concern on the left-coast also import the machines now. There was no question I would buy from John, however, and his version is slightly different than the stock machine with a little shorter bed and the Jordan name in the casting.
This is a 750 lb tool, yet it was easy for one person (moi) to unload from the crate and assemble in the shop. I had it delivered to the "local" Roadway terminal and they loaded it onto the pickup with a boom. This saved a bunch of money as residential delivery is costly and in my case, difficult unless they can use a straight truck due to the driveway configuration. By completely disassembling the machine while de-crating, I was able to lift everything unassisted. The heavy cast iron base-structure was the heaviest, but going from the tailgate to the top of the router table just inside the door was not problem at all.
Assembly took about four hours, including time spent cleaning protective coatings that keep rust away in transit. Due to the shipping company knocking the center foot off the pallet/crate, there was some minor paint scraping, but no damage to the machine.
First Impressions - Pro:
1) This is a quality tool...very heavy and well designed.
2) The stand itself is well over 225 lbs and is rock-solid. It's important that it be assembled perfectly square as the heavy cast iron of the lathe can still distort under it's own weight and cause the centers not to line up
3) With swing up to 30", this machine can handle projects that many other high-end machines require expensive additions to accommodate
4) The unique sliding ways and auxiliary bed allow for a huge amount of versatility. While this is primarily a "short bed" lathe best suited to bowl and vessel turning, it can also handle spindles up to 34" long through reconfiguration of the bed and aux bed
5) The Stubby comes with two tool rest bases which can be very convenient when working with large objects, both wide and long
6) This is one of the only machines on the market to have a vacuum port on the headstock that eliminates the need for expensive rotary adapters, etc. Just screw in a 1/4" NPT fitting, connect to your vacuum system, drive a wood plug in the outboard end of the hollow spindle and your're ready to go!
7) The 2hp VFD motor has plenty of power and two ranges; 0-1200. and 0-3300 rpm. Switching ranges is quick and easy by simply opening the heavy hinged top of the headstock, losening the motor and moving the belt over to the other pulley combination. A remote start/stop switch with a magnetic case is standard and there is an emergency stop that is easy to reach with both one's hand and one's knee
First Impressions - Things I'd like a little different:
1) The knockout bar hangs up in the hand wheel on my unit
2) The speed control is low on the machine and in a less convenient spot than I am used to. It would be better to have this control up higher where it is easier to see and less prone to catching curls, chips and dust
Pictures
1) The great arrival
2) Stand Assembly
3) Headstock installed
4) Motor Installed
5) Ready to go!