"Steve Russell" wrote in message
.. .
Hello George,

I was actually referring to their latest DVR-XP model, not the earlier
Nova
3000 model (that also needed more beef in the bedway, IMHO and a better
tailstock) when I mentioned I thought the bedway needed more "beef". :-)

While it's true that the latest model benefited from a redesign of the
bedways that included a flared out design with increased mass, I still
think
it could use some more weight in the bedways. Of course, I'm from Texas
and
we like everything big! :-) Take care and all the best to you and yours!


Still remember the sign in a greasy spoon in Anchorage which proclaimed "Pie
$2.50. Texas size $1.00."

The non-beefed rails have plenty rigidity for me, but I don't hack at rough
pieces and strain the system, I peel wood. Those prone to mounting severely
out-of-balance and out-of-round pieces and stuffing a tool into the rotation
might find the banjo is weaker than the bed.

Speeds below the 100 rpm rate are almost more trouble than they're worth,
because you have to concentrate on steady tool position to keep it from
following your push into a low spot and getting whacked by the next high
rather than normal swing and pare. I find the 360 setting to be just about
the lower limit for "normal" cutting.

Guy with a bandsaw should find little need for anything below 200 cutting
over the bed, where the "beef" comes into play.

Fortunately I elevated my bed on 1.5" pads above the tabletop, because I was
sick and tired of having to use a hook to drag clumps of shavings out from
underneath. I have to be really lazy about cleanout, and be spindle turning
or hollowing before I get into a shaving pack situation now. Ol' Blue
taught me a lot of things!