[OP]
Contributor
In my ideal world I would have a modern lathe with a 30" or more swing, the ability to use a tailstock and a captured hollowing system on those big forms, a compact footprint and a 1 1/4"-8 spindle. The Stubby 750 and 1000 lathes seem to fit the bill. I am wondering if anyone in striking distance of Vermont has one and would be willing to let me have a look at it. If I am overlooking some other machine with the same specs please tell me.
Member
Some one you could talk to is Emiliano Archival, who lives in Hawaii. Long way from you, but he has a couple of them. They sound like fine lathes. He does a lot of bowls and urns. He is one of the moderators on the AAW site, and does a lot of live broadcasts that you can sign up for.
robo hippy
Contributor
That was my thought too Reed--and last Saturday in NW Indiana with sub-zero wind chill...Maui was looking like a right fine place to be!! Kevin may not feel the same in Vermont...Originally Posted by Reed Gray
earl
[OP]
Contributor
Thanks, I'll drive right over and check it out. Do they have mud season in Maui?
I do know of Emilio and posted the same question on the AAW site. Sounds like used Stubbys are few and far between and I suspect shipping from Oz is out of hand, but I did say "in my ideal world." It would be nice to find one to look at within driving range.
There was a Oneway 2436 with the big outboard setup for sale near me, but it would take too much room for my shop, plus the spindle size is inconvenient. The lathe sold but the outboard rig is still available if anyone is interested - look on the AAW forum.
In the meantime I ordered a 6" faceplate custom threaded at 1 1/8" x 8tpi LH from Oneway for the outboard side of my old General. They are great folks to deal with.
Contributor
John Jordan used to sell Stubby lathes. Might try reaching out to him to see if he knows of anyone in the New England area that he's sold one to that you could try. I've been contemplating upgrading my PM3520b for a while now. I always wanted a Stubby, but the Robust Sweet 16 short bed keeps catching my eye now. Lot of similarities in my mind to the Stubby. Not sure why that appeals to me more than the American Beauty but it keeps calling to me, though if I found a Stubby locally for sale I'd probably own that.
Good luck,
Paul
Contributor
Can you even get a Stubby in the United States now? John Jordan hasn't sold Stubby lathes in decades, you'll be wasting his time. Emiliano has a special connection if I read his posts well enough.
[OP]
Contributor
No dealer in the States- has to be ordered direct. Definitely a disincentive, but it is a unique design. The Robust Sweet 16 is actually pretty close, but lighter and I wonder about the single speed range. This is mainly curiosity anyway, I have a working lathe but it's hard to judge another one without a close look.
Contributor
There was a Stubby owners group on FB at one time. May still be there.
Contributor
I have an earlier Sweet 16 standard length, so no digital display. Do have the 2 hp motor and swing away. No beef on minimum speed, and at least up to 14” diameter no power issues. Paul Heely might be on to something with the short bed Sweet 16. The short configures to a 28” spindle using the gap section, and would be about ideal length for bowls. Headstock is fixed, but the short negates that need. Swing is 32” with the gap open.
earl
Contributor
https://www.omegastubbylathes.com/lathes
I live a long day drive away from where they are made here, so if secondhand ones were to come up for sale we would see them here from time to time, but can't recollect the last time I saw a secondhand one for sale.
I considered getting one a few decades ago but decided in the end that I could do everything I needed on my other lathes and for far less cost. And, it didn't allow for outboard turning that is my preferred configuration for turning... which my back appreciates.
The Stubby is a bit like the Steinert VB36 bowl lathe and the Vicmarc VL600 (which almost came onto the market then disappeared over a decade ago)... I call all of these bragging right lathes!
Anyone that specialises in large bowls and forms can get a lathe made up specifically for that purpose for far less cost. For example, have a look at the lathe that Dave Schweitzer's put together... see his from the 5min mark in this video... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8loU4Rco8I
The truth of the matter is that most us don't turn many larger pieces. For one thing, large blanks are few and far between. Secondly, there is not much demand for larger pieces. Maybe the occasional larger piece for an exhibition or special gift to a family member or friend, but you will soon wear out how welcome they are if they are all large and take up half a table.
At the gallery I would sell no more than about four larger pieces in a year. I try to have at least one larger piece with the pieces on display as they are visual lures, but they are slow to sell themselves and serving more to attract customers to look more closely at my smaller pieces that then do sell.
Unless we need a bragging rights lathe, most of us really don't need a lathe that is dedicated to turning large pieces. There are ways of turning the occasional larger piece on a regular lathe, like outboard turning with a free standing tool rest. e.g...
It's interesting how alluring an unattainable piece of woodturning gear can become. Having used a Stubby I can say that it was a well made lathe that was innovative at the time (25yrs ago) but not changed much since then. There are many other options available now.
Neil
About the same distance from most of you heading East or West.
It's easy to see the Dunning-Kruger Effect in others, but a bit of a conundrum when it comes to yourself...
Contributor
With the bed extension mounted in the low position I have a 32” swing on my Laguna 1836. The extension comes with the riser for the tail stock and an extension for the tool rest. I have used it to turn 24” offset platters.
Left click my name for homepage link.
Member
I did pick up a third full sized lathe, a Vickmark 240 which is the one with the pivoting headstock. I just don't like long bed lathes for bowl turning. It pivots to 30 degrees which will cover all I need for the bowls I turn, which are less than 16 inch. It also pivots to 90 degrees and there is an outboard banjo set up so you can turn almost down to the floor. The post on it rests on the floor. I did find that awkward to move around, at least compared to the banjo when mounted on the ways. It does have 3 speed ranges, which I prefer. I think Oneway is the only other lathe that has 3 speeds.
robo hippy
[OP]
Contributor
Reed, thanks for the replies. I have been looking at that Vicmarc outboard turning support. It looks pretty rugged and maneuverable and superior to a free-standing tool rest, though I am sure it is awkward compared to a standard banjo. My current setup allows for reaching around a 5" thick x 24" diameter piece with a riser post in the banjo on a short outboard bed. If I need to go bigger on this lathe the Vicmarc outrigger may be the way to go.
Neil, thanks for the sensible advice. I have rarely needed to go beyond the 20" inboard swing of my lathe but there are occasions when I wished I had something bigger. A 24" swing lathe may be in my future, and would be big enough99.9% of the time. I do know a fellow turner with a Oneway with the big outboard setup who would probably let me use it for a special occasion.
Contributor
Have you looked at the Powermatic 2020 with the extension that bolts to the legs on the tailstock end?
Member
You may want to look at the Robust Scout that has a 14” swing and 26” spindle capacity. I have it and the 16” bed extension which increases the spindle capacity to 42” and, when mounted to the outboard (headstock) end, increases the bowl and platter capacity to 21” which is far bigger that what I will ever turn. The Scout also has a small footprint at only 42” long. I have only had mine for about six months but I love it.
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