Thinking of upgrading to something with more power. This will also let me turn up to a 16” bowl. Anybody have experience with a Grizzly?

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-16-x-24-variable-speed-wood-lathe/g0838

Rusty, put this in Wednesday's... hope to get some input.

 

 

I have had very good experiences with Grizzly. Their customer service is excellent and the woodworking machinery I have purchased from them did everything I ever asked of them. Back I the 90’s I ran a custom shop that was almost entirely Grizzly and all of it performed well. I sold all of it in 2005 to a friend and it’s all still running today. When I started my new hobbyist shop in Las Vegas anything I bought new was Grizzly and am very pleased. 
Paul

I have one of their bench top lathes.  No complaints.  Well built and works well.

Thanks. Where I used to work we had one of their table saws and end mills and they were very nice. Sounds like the lathe would also be.

After doing some research I am looking more toward the Nova Saturn DVR lathe. Instead of sliding headstock it has a rotating headstock. It is direct drive so no belts. It will turn 16” onboard and 29” outboard and a 24” spindle. It has a smaller footprint than the Grizzly and will fit my shop better. The only negative is the spindle is 1.25 by 8 tpi so I will have to buy a new Chuck.

5 minutes ago, RustyFN said:

The only negative is the spindle is 1.25 by 8 tpi so I will have to buy a new Chuck.

 

Adapters are available.  With the cost of them you may be better off to sell your chuck and buy one to fit.

 

 

https://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/prstspadwith.html

 

 

Edited February 19, 20215 yr by HandyDan

My lathe is the older Nova 3000, and when I got it I just replaced the adapter.

33 minutes ago, RustyFN said:

The only negative is the spindle is 1.25 by 8 tpi so I will have to buy a new Chuck.

https://www.easywoodtools.com/product-page/1-1-4-spindle-adapter

 

 

While you are there, check out their awesome chuck!

 

 

I didn’t realize they had adapters to go that direction.

If you so buy an adapter buy a good brand. Penn State is a little off by my experience. Nova or Easy Wood should be good or check Packard for a good one.

Well now it is getting confusing. Now Record Power has been thrown into the mix.

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/record-power-envoy-16in-2hp-vs-lathe.aspx

It is looking like the Record Power. I really like the magnetic control pendant the you can keep where you are working. The accessories for it are also cheaper

Yes that Record 18 does look good . I did not look at the weights on the two . or the controls on headstock and tailstock which can make work comfortable or inconvenient.

 

OK just looked at it again , but remember I turn on a PM 3520B. The tailstock looks small and the banjo does to. The only meaning of this is in turning heavier pieces may get chatter . But that is just opinion.

The Record Power is made in the UK and I wonder how accessible parts and service might be.

 

Remote switches can be bought and wired for any lathe.

 

 

 

From what I have read they have very good customer service. Not sure about parts. Accessories look to be available.

Looking at Grizzly they have a 22” lathe that weighs in at >600 lbs for that kind of money. It has a 3 hp motor also. 
Paul

Edited February 21, 20215 yr by Masonsailor

Well I just found the deal breaker for the Record Power. The speed ranges are 250-750, 550-1650 and 1300-3800. I see more belt changes than I want to do. Top of the list right now is the Nova Saturn.

Well I just compared the speed ranges of the RP to my Rikon and they are the same. For some reason when I read 250-750 the 750 sounded low. I wouldn’t have to do any more belt changes than I do now and I hardly do any now.

One of the things I looked for when replacing my last lathe was the availability of a very low RPM setting. My old Delta limit was about 400. The Jet I can get down to 37 RPMs. Great for applying finish.