Hi Arch,
I have a Stubby 750 (after a multitude of other lathes) and altho it will
turn quite a large diameter I find that after doing a coupleof
bowls/platters in the 18-20" range that no one wants them and they don't fit
into the cupboard. That being said, the increased swing capacity has been
beneficial several times when I wanted to use a donut chuck to clamp a piece
of odd shaped material that I only wanted to machine one side. Couldn't
have done it with a smaller swing lathe. It is also nice never having to
worry about the lathe capacity regardless of what a person is turning.
"Arch" wrote in message
...
Being a packrat with a valid 'pile-it' license, I saved several large
NIP 'hurricane logs'. I can resurrect a big shadetree bowl lathe and
get someone to roll the logs to it and lift the blanks up to the
spindle. Why? ....and for what?

What do you fellows with big lathes mostly turn on them? I recognize
that a high quality heavy machine will make the turning of blanks that
are well below its capacity more smoothly efficient, compared to working
at the design limits of smaller lighter machines. There are probably
practical size restrictions for platters, bowls, etc. that people use.
For me, about 14-15 inches is generally as large as will fit the average
table. How's by you?

Pieces for display and admiration might be acceptably much larger. But
by how much? Are there practicable size limits for most wood art, given
that your big lathes could turn larger forms? I reckon that shipping,
gallery restrictions, room sizes and sized appropriate to the concept
must all be considered. What else?

To repeat: What size work do those of you with maxi-lathes usually turn?
I suppose a Oneway will turn a 12 in. blank better than my N3K, but I
want to justify a Stubby, even though I'll not be changing my
satisfactory turning style or getting any younger. I'm sure this has
been hashed, ad nauseum, on the 'Brand Forums', but TIA for your
thoughts.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter



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