One of the vendors at the DWR was Serious Toolworks, maker of the Serious Wood Lathe. This lathe is a monster -- 1530 lbs of cast iron! As large as the lathe is, I was more impressed with some of the details that are not as readily apparent. First was the rack and pinion quill in the tail stock. The quill moves quickly, smoothly, and almost effortlessly along it's 6" of travel. There was a PM 3520B on display not far away. I've always thought the PM had a fairly nice quill (and it does!), but the Serious' quill is simply much nicer. Second, the Serious comes with 6" casters. On its, despite its large size, the machine is easy to move around the shop (assuming you're on level ground!). Lower the feet -- splayed wide front and back -- and the lathe is rock solid. A very nice touch.
There are other things, like a digital indexing system or the ability to turn 25" inboard and 44" outboard, but they all add up to one very nice lathe that answers for me the question: "How could anyone spend that much for a lathe?" Wow! I understand how it could be done -- and with a smile, too!
I'd like you all to understand two things: First, I'm in no danger of plunking down the close to $7,000 (plus shipping) it would take for me to buy one of these lathes. I'd have to expand my shop. Second, for some unaccountable reason, I feel that I'm being disloyal to Robust -- my former lathe love. Hey, Robust doesn't even write me anymore and has never sent me flowers. Why should I feel disloyal?
Go here to drool: http://www.seriouslathe.com/wood-lathes.php