Arch,

I have a Stubby S750 and one reason I like the large 30" swing is that I
turn a lot of wing bowls that are normally placed off-center which requires
a much
larger swing even though the bowl isn't going to be a giant. As Bill Noble
mentioned, you can put a much larger piece of unbalanced wood on the lathe
without it bouncing around the shop. Big lathe doesn't necessarily mean a
30" bowl just more freedom on what you turn. I love my Stubby. Good
luck......Ralph

"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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