Hi all,

I'm a life-long woodworker and I'm finally going to extend my craft to
turning. I've been shopping around and I've settled on the Powermatic
3520B as a perfect lathe. I don't want to buy another one in my life
so I'm willing to spend to get a good one that won't leave me wishing
for another.

Here is my question. Are there folks in the group who have good or
bad things to say about this lathe? If you were buying your dream
lathe, why wouldn't you buy this one? It's too expensive to get this
wrong! If there is something out there cheaper that will serve me
well, then I'd like to hear about that too.

Perfect is usually a subjective term. I chose the 3520B because I felt it
was the best value and performance lathe.

I believe it's an excellent choice for spindle and bowl work and even small
stuff like pens and finials. I haven't the slightest regret for my choice of
the 3520B. Reversing and variable speed plus sliding to the end for big
stuff if you choose is very nice. Speed indicator is a nice convenience.
Solid and stable, feels good to use. Used by some of the most notable
schools as is the Oneway which would be my next choice without money as a
factor. Again, if you move cost aside, there's some great things to be said
for the Stubby which is our club's choice.

While I've had a few difficulties with Powermatic equipment I've found their
service department to be great. Any time the stuff is manufactured offshore
you can get the left hand not understanding the right hand.

I'd say buy it, enjoy it, and Merry Christmas.

TomNie





wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I'm a life-long woodworker and I'm finally going to extend my craft to
turning. I've been shopping around and I've settled on the Powermatic
3520B as a perfect lathe. I don't want to buy another one in my life
so I'm willing to spend to get a good one that won't leave me wishing
for another.

Here is my question. Are there folks in the group who have good or
bad things to say about this lathe? If you were buying your dream
lathe, why wouldn't you buy this one? It's too expensive to get this
wrong! If there is something out there cheaper that will serve me
well, then I'd like to hear about that too.

I stepped up to the 3520A from a 4 speed Atlas about 8 years ago. It
is the best Christmas present I ever got myself. I turn
professionally, and I have abused this lathe severely. I have worn out
one set of headstock bearings. It has performed well. If I could make
changes, I would make the headstock spindle unit removable by
unbolting. I need to replace the belt, and the only way is to remove
the bearings, which I can't do myself. The biggest difference between
the A and B models is that the minimum low speed on the A is almost
zero, and on the B it is about 50 rpm. This comes in handy for
sanding. I turn green wood to final thickness, then let them dry and
warp before sanding and finishing. You can't sand a warped bowl at 50
rpm too easily.

I will probably be stepping up again this next year to a Robust
American Beauty, which as far as I am concerned is a better lathe than
the Oneway 2436 if for no other reason because it has a sliding
headstock. The reason I will be stepping up is partly because I am a
tool junkie, and partly because it is a bit heavier and more powerful
than the PM. I won't be turning bigger, but the added power will be
nice for production. The PM is a fine lathe, and the best lathe for
the money.

robo hippy

On Dec 23, 3:01*pm, "TomNie" wrote:
Perfect is usually a subjective term. I chose the 3520B because I felt it
was the best value and performance lathe.

I believe it's an excellent choice for spindle and bowl work and even small
stuff like pens and finials. I haven't the slightest regret for my choice of
the 3520B. Reversing and variable speed plus sliding to the end for big
stuff if you choose is very nice. Speed indicator is a nice convenience.
Solid and stable, feels good to use. Used by some of the most notable
schools as is the Oneway which would be my next choice without money as a
factor. Again, if you move cost aside, there's some great things to be said
for the Stubby which is our club's choice.

While I've had a few difficulties with Powermatic equipment I've found their
service department to be great. Any time the stuff is manufactured offshore
you can get the left hand not understanding the right hand.

I'd say buy it, enjoy it, and Merry Christmas.

TomNie

wrote in message

...

Hi all,

I'm a life-long woodworker and I'm finally going to extend my craft to
turning. *I've been shopping around and I've settled on the Powermatic
3520B as a perfect lathe. *I don't want to buy another one in my life
so I'm willing to spend to get a good one that won't leave me wishing
for another.

Here is my question. *Are there folks in the group who have good or
bad things to say about this lathe? *If you were buying your dream
lathe, why wouldn't you buy this one? *It's too expensive to get this
wrong! *If there is something out there cheaper that will serve me
well, then I'd like to hear about that too.

In article
,
wrote:

Hi all,

I'm a life-long woodworker and I'm finally going to extend my craft to
turning. I've been shopping around and I've settled on the Powermatic
3520B as a perfect lathe. I don't want to buy another one in my life
so I'm willing to spend to get a good one that won't leave me wishing
for another.

Here is my question. Are there folks in the group who have good or
bad things to say about this lathe? If you were buying your dream
lathe, why wouldn't you buy this one? It's too expensive to get this
wrong! If there is something out there cheaper that will serve me
well, then I'd like to hear about that too.

It's only your "last lathe" if you die before buying another, trust me

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

On Dec 23, 1:05*pm, wrote:
Hi all,

I'm a life-long woodworker and I'm finally going to extend my craft to
turning. *I've been shopping around and I've settled on the Powermatic
3520B as a perfect lathe. *I don't want to buy another one in my life
so I'm willing to spend to get a good one that won't leave me wishing
for another.

Here is my question. *Are there folks in the group who have good or
bad things to say about this lathe? *If you were buying your dream
lathe, why wouldn't you buy this one? *It's too expensive to get this
wrong! *If there is something out there cheaper that will serve me
well, then I'd like to hear about that too.

Hi Bud, First off I do not own a powermatic lathe but might be able to
shed a little light on your query. If your buying a lathe in that
catagory (powermatic, oneway, stubby, vicmarc) then they will all be
lifetime machines. The only difference would be features and probably
a little price differences.
When I was looking I choose to get a vicmarc and build my own stand
and add my own motor and controller. This allowed me to get one of the
high end machines at a lower cost. You can see my setup here.
http://www.outofcontrol-woodturning.com/Lathe.html
As to the powermatic it seems to me that folks that have been
woodworkers seem to go that route because of the powermatic reputation
in woodworking machinery. That said as you know powermatic is an
excellent company and make a great lathe but it's not your only
option. I've had my vicmarc lathe for about 10 years and it has been
flawless but I believe you would be able to say that about all the
high end machines. Bob
http://www.outofcontrol-woodturning.com

"turnerbob" wrote in message
...
On Dec 23, 1:05 pm, wrote:
Hi all,

I'm a life-long woodworker and I'm finally going to extend my craft to
turning. I've been shopping around and I've settled on the Powermatic
3520B as a perfect lathe. I don't want to buy another one in my life
so I'm willing to spend to get a good one that won't leave me wishing
for another.

Here is my question. Are there folks in the group who have good or
bad things to say about this lathe? If you were buying your dream
lathe, why wouldn't you buy this one? It's too expensive to get this
wrong! If there is something out there cheaper that will serve me
well, then I'd like to hear about that too.

Hi Bud, First off I do not own a powermatic lathe but might be able to
shed a little light on your query. If your buying a lathe in that
catagory (powermatic, oneway, stubby, vicmarc) then they will all be
lifetime machines. The only difference would be features and probably
a little price differences.
When I was looking I choose to get a vicmarc and build my own stand
and add my own motor and controller. This allowed me to get one of the
high end machines at a lower cost. You can see my setup here.
http://www.outofcontrol-woodturning.com/Lathe.html
As to the powermatic it seems to me that folks that have been
woodworkers seem to go that route because of the powermatic reputation
in woodworking machinery. That said as you know powermatic is an
excellent company and make a great lathe but it's not your only
option. I've had my vicmarc lathe for about 10 years and it has been
flawless but I believe you would be able to say that about all the
high end machines. Bob
http://www.outofcontrol-woodturning.com

some follow up on bob's post:

1. look at how large a diameter you will want between centers - I can turn a
little over 40 inches, which for me is enough - the swing over the bed is
important - you can then take an object and mess with it to get the right
orientation - you can't do that once it's mounted to a faceplate

2. think about what you will turn - classical woodworking will require
spindles - table legs, chair parts and so on - "artistic" wood turning is
different, more along the lines of variations on the them of bowls - spindle
lathes typically need length, bowl lathes need swing over bed

3. some folks like outboard turning for large things - I don't - think about
it

4. mass is really important - particularly if you will attempt to be an
artist and will want to turn out of balance things with holes in them

5. a sliding/rotating headstock looks cool, but it's a source of vibration
and lack of precision - consider whether you want it

6. most folks add a vacuum chuck - make sure your lathe will permit this
with relative ease

7. consider your supplier and what kind of relation you want with the
supplier - what kind of help do you expect, for example?

8. spindle thread - 1.25X8 is common in the US, Oneway uses metric - you may
not care, but be sure it's standard, whatever it is

9. Horsepower and variable speed - at least 2, and yes. I would insist on a
knob to set speed, no need for an indicator



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Dec 23, 10:05*am, wrote:
Hi all,

I'm a life-long woodworker and I'm finally going to extend my craft to
turning. *I've been shopping around and I've settled on the Powermatic
3520B as a perfect lathe. *I don't want to buy another one in my life
so I'm willing to spend to get a good one that won't leave me wishing
for another.

Here is my question. *Are there folks in the group who have good or
bad things to say about this lathe? *If you were buying your dream
lathe, why wouldn't you buy this one? *It's too expensive to get this
wrong! *If there is something out there cheaper that will serve me
well, then I'd like to hear about that too.

Thanks everyone for your advice and thoughts. It is actually very
helpful and I've done a bit more research based on your inputs. This
is going to be fun...

Thanks again,
Bud

wrote:
Hi all,

I'm a life-long woodworker and I'm finally going to extend my craft to
turning. I've been shopping around and I've settled on the Powermatic
3520B as a perfect lathe. I don't want to buy another one in my life
so I'm willing to spend to get a good one that won't leave me wishing
for another.

Here is my question. Are there folks in the group who have good or
bad things to say about this lathe? If you were buying your dream
lathe, why wouldn't you buy this one? It's too expensive to get this
wrong! If there is something out there cheaper that will serve me
well, then I'd like to hear about that too.

Bud:

I got the 3520B a little over a year ago. I wasn't going to drop $5K+ on
a OneWay and I wanted a general-purpose lathe as opposed to a bowl-lathe.

I have no regrets whatsoever. My only suggestion is that if you want to
turn smaller items (eg. pens, bottle stoppers, etc.) you probably also
want to get a shorter tool rest. The 12" default makes it kind of
difficult when turning shorter pieces. Good luck.

~Mark.