Dream Machine?

[Chris Yarish]

If money and space was of no consequence to you, what lathe would you purchase? I have an old school General 160 (which I've used only twice), and I love it, but I am already seeing the limitations of this machine.
If you could put any lathe in your shop, what would it be and why?

[Bill Bolen]

That big 'ole Robust American Beauty with alllll the goodies!..Bill..

[Steven Wilson]

A Oneway 2436. Oh yeah, I already have one in the shop.

[Alex Cam]

If money and space were no object, I'd get the big daddy of all lathes past, present, and future, the Oliver. Either an 18 (32" x 96") or a 20D. I'd pay to have it restored and retro-fitted with a 3-phase motor w/ VFD.

[Raymond Overman]

I'd have a Nichols (http://members.aol.com/lathebldr/). Of course, I don't think he makes them anymore. A friend of mine, Anatoly Tsiris, has one and anything he throws at it, it handles it. It's a helluva machine.

[Gary Herrmann]

A 250k custom made ornamental turning lathe with a swingaway option so I can do regular turning too.

Can someone give me the money please?

[Bernie Weishapl]

If money were no object it would be a American Beauty "Robust" or a Oneway 2436.

[Matt Hutchinson]

Well, since no lathe can do it all, I don't think I could choose. Here's my dream list: Robust American Beauty, Woodtek No. 1 - the whole echilada, VB-36....
and this Oliver. http://www.exfactory.com/detail.asp?recnum=LC-010560&prev=LC-010509&next=LC-280301&mfg=&code=&UFOBREGION=&Page=2&Viewed=1&FNListings=0&FNsubcat=0&showSpecWriter=0&numPics=1

If I had to choose, I would go with the Woodtek No. 1.

Hutch

[Bill Wyko]

American Beauty or the VB-36. On the VB you can turn 5 feet in diameter. I've seen pictures of people turning 300lb tree trunks on that bad boy.

[Horst Hohoff]

My favourite is the VB 36. I had the pleasure to work on one on a turning course.

Horst

[Jim Becker]

If I were going to be doing "big spindles", I'd want a vintage pattern lathe or maybe on of the large OneWay machines. But for bowls and vessels, I'll stick with the Stubby. I don't like big, chunky, long lathes for that kind of work...they are uncomfortable for me. I bought the Stubby for that reason. Same money as a big OneWay, for example, but I can stand where I want to with less bending, etc.

[Daniel Heine]

My Dream Machine would be this: A Robust American Beauty on one side, and a Jet 1220VS on the other for pens, tops, shakers, etc. Throw in a big pile of wood, and I'd be happy for a long, long time.

Dan Heine

[Wilbur Pan]

Vicmarc VL300 long bed, the real one, not the one from Craft Supplies with the different base.

I guess this really is a "dream machine" since I haven't seen one up close and personal yet. Maybe that's what adds to its attraction for me. ;) Plus, I like that shade of blue.

[Andy Hoyt]

If money were no object?

I'd go with a single Oneway 2436 with 60" inboard extension for centerwork.

I'd go with a second Oneway 2436 with the "large" outboard extension for facework.

I'd go with a third Oneway 2436 with all extensions for my buddy who's gonna pay for it all.

Or I'd just combine it all into one machine, but that would leave room in the budget for more stuff.

[Rasmus Petersen]

Either a custom made Danish build PROMAT i know the guy who makes thees.. And a VB36 just because i have never seen specs on any lathe that compare...

[Reed Gray]

Before I got my PM, I was looking at the Nichols lathe. A great piece of machinery,but it was too much money for me then. Now, my Robust is being assembeled, and will be here soon. I looked at the VB 36, and the Stubby, and only glanced at the Oneway. The Robust seems to me to be the best all purpose lathe out there, and it is made in the USA, which means a lot to me. I will consider getting a smaller lathe for spindle work and smaller projects, as the Beauty is a bit of overkill for those things.
robo hippy

[curtis rosche]

heres my ultimate lathe. of course there would be a couple of modifications to it to get it just right. this thing is a beast
http://bayareawoodturners.org/reallybiglathe.jpg:eek::D

[Keith Burns]

My dream machine is exactly what I have. A Oneway 2436 with a 3 hp drive. Weighs in at 950 lbs. Dependable and proven machine. Can add outboard to turn 44" dia. but have decided against it because I decided that if I turned a piece that big my living room wouldn't hold it.

[John Fricke]

I'll take one of each with all accessories, than I can decide what I like and give the rest to you guys.

[Allen Neighbors]

You're a good guy, John Fricke... I'll take the VB36, if you please.... :D
Oh... to get back to the question at hand:
Was corresponding with Vince just yesterday about this same subject. The VB is one of the most awesome lathes I've ever laid eyes upon. But. I've got the one I want. It's a Oneway 1640 2HP with extension mounted outboard. I'm nearly 68; if I got anything any bigger, I couldn't handle it to get it to the lathe.