I currently turn on a 1hp midi lathe. I have turned dozens of pens and other spindles and a few bowls. Now, I want to get more serious about bowl turning and am considering a full sized lathe, either a Vicmarc vl240 or vl300. Obviously one has 2hp and the other 3hp. I really like the rotating headstock of the 240, but I think I might like the extra power of the 300.
My question is how much do I give up, if anything, with 2 hp instead of three. I don’t know how far and large my bowl turning will take me and I’m just curious if anyone knows if I cud reach a point of regretting not having that extra horsepower, even though I know I wud like the rotating headstock. Has anyone ever had this kind of question?
Is there a lot I can do with 3 hp that I can’t do with two? Would anyone care to venture an estimate as far as size and weight of what’s being turned? Or can I do it all with the 2 hp just having to sharpen more often and taking more time? Thank you