So I currently own two lathes, an Oliver 159 and an Oliver 167. The 1951 Oliver 159 is a fairly heavy duty lathe and works wonderfully, The 167 is sort of a medium duty lathe and needs some restoration work.
I am really thinking about selling the 167 and buying something like a Jet 16-40 or a Laguna 18/36. But I am finding it hard to justify to myself spending the 2 grand difference between what I can sell the 167 for and what the Laguna or jet will cost me new.
Part of this is just sort of a vanity/retail therapy type of a purchase, but I have turned on a friends Jet and I like it better than the Oliver 167. I am also considering looking for a used Powermatic 3520A or 3520B, which have seemingly dropped on the market now that the C models have come out.
And yet I find it hard to part with the 167...and I can't quite justify the floor space for 3 lathes. Part of the other issue is that if I keep the 167 I am going to put in a three phase motor, a VFD, repaint, new bearings, etc. to bring it all up to spec. Which is time, money and effort I can put towards the new Jet/Laguna.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. I think I am looking at enablement to buy a tool I really want (Jet) and enablement to keep a third lathe (the Oliver 167).
Thinking I would really like the swiveling head-stock of the Jet, the smoother tool rest and tail stock movements, and more intuitive controls.
Regards,
Chris