The local Woodcraft has a $500.00 off sale on the Nova DVR XP. I asked a few
questions on a prior post but would like to get various opinions on this
lathe. The primary use would be turning of bowls, platters and vases. I
currently have a Jet Mini I would likely keep that for pens and/or for a
Beale triple buffing set up.

Anything in particular I should know about on the Nova.

Any rumors about the financial health of the parent company? When I see a
sale like this I sometimes think they are gettiung rid of them before the
company goes under or before they bring out a new model.

TIA
Russ

In my not so humble opinion - I spent 35+ years writing software and
dealing with computers. I was the go to guy. I never got beat by the
computer. That said, anyone that wants to put a computer chip in my
lathe can do so over my dead body. I've got an older Nova 3000 (now
called the Nova 1624-44). I have never run into anything that this
lathe can't do. Way less money and I'd bet my butt you won't know the
difference. If you want to see the kind of stuff I produce go to
http://www.eskimoblueday.com. The upside, beside the savings, is that
it's going to be way more dependable over your kids, kids grandkids
lifetimes.

On Oct 9, 11:42*am, "Russ Stanton" wrote:
Anything in particular I should know about on the Nova.

Any rumors about the financial health of the parent company? When I see a
sale like this I sometimes think they are gettiung rid of them before the
company goes under or before they bring out a new model.


Woodcraft has had periodic sales on the Nova lathes, usually once a
year or so. I know nothing about the company's health or plans, but I
don't think the Woodcraft sale is anything suspicious.

I have the 1624 model and I'm quite satisfied with it except for
occasionally wishing I'd spent the money for the DVR. You did note on
the ad that you have to buy or build a stand for the DVR? I'm puzzled
why they don't include the stand that comes with the 1624.

Bill

On Oct 9, 2:21*pm, Bill wrote:
On Oct 9, 11:42*am, "Russ Stanton" wrote:

Anything in particular I should know about on the Nova.

Any rumors about the financial health of the parent company? When I see a
sale like this I sometimes think they are gettiung rid of them before the
company goes under or before they bring out a new model.

Woodcraft has had periodic sales on the Nova lathes, usually once a
year or so. I know nothing about the company's health or plans, but I
don't think the Woodcraft sale is anything suspicious.

I have the 1624 model and I'm quite satisfied with it except for
occasionally wishing I'd spent the money for the DVR. You did note on
the ad that you have to buy or build a stand for the DVR? I'm puzzled
why they don't include the stand that comes with the 1624.

Bill

Is the stand for the 1624 a good stand or should one consider building
one. I have heard both plus and minus for
being stable on large turnings(12-15").
I was going to buy a PM but this is a good price but as you noted the
stand will add another $250+

Is the stand for the 1624 a good stand or should one consider building
one. I have heard both plus and minus for
being stable on large turnings(12-15").
I was going to buy a PM but this is a good price but as you noted the
stand will add another $250+

The 1624 stand has been OK for me, but I haven't done anything large
or unbalanced. I have thought of building a plywood sand box to bolt
the legs onto. You only have to buy a stand if you get the DVR and the
stand they sell you is NOT the same one that comes with the 1624. If
you plan to get the DVR look at the Teknatool website, they have plans
for a wooden base you can build for far less than $250 (if you're
inclined to BYO)

Bill

Russ Stanton wrote:
The local Woodcraft has a $500.00 off sale on the Nova DVR XP. I asked a few
questions on a prior post but would like to get various opinions on this
lathe. The primary use would be turning of bowls, platters and vases. I
currently have a Jet Mini I would likely keep that for pens and/or for a
Beale triple buffing set up.

Anything in particular I should know about on the Nova.

Any rumors about the financial health of the parent company? When I see a
sale like this I sometimes think they are gettiung rid of them before the
company goes under or before they bring out a new model.

TIA
Russ

All I know is what I read in the paper. I do know I love my DVR XP. I
have turned several hundred bowls on it without problems. The computer
did go bonkers once, but all it took was to unplug it for 5 minutes
for a hard reboot and everything has been ok since then. I fiddled
with enough reeves drives and manual belt change speed control. I do
unplug it when not in use if there is any chance of a thunderstorm.
Just like I do my other computers.

Mine was made in New Zealand, cannot speak to the newer ones made in
China.

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

Lose not thy airspeed lest the ground
rise up and smite thee!

Nased on the current feedback and the previous string of posts in March I
put in an order at the local Woodcraft (Greenville SC) and should have it in
about 2weeks. I also ordered the cast iron stand and the outboard tool rest.
It would appear from pictures of the lathe that I could pivot the head and
then be able to sit on a stool while turning. If this works it will be great
since I have low back issues if I stand for too long.

Thanks for all the replies.

Russ
"Gerald Ross" wrote in message
...
Russ Stanton wrote:
The local Woodcraft has a $500.00 off sale on the Nova DVR XP. I asked a
few
questions on a prior post but would like to get various opinions on this
lathe. The primary use would be turning of bowls, platters and vases. I
currently have a Jet Mini I would likely keep that for pens and/or for a
Beale triple buffing set up.

Anything in particular I should know about on the Nova.

Any rumors about the financial health of the parent company? When I see a
sale like this I sometimes think they are gettiung rid of them before the
company goes under or before they bring out a new model.

TIA
Russ

All I know is what I read in the paper. I do know I love my DVR XP. I have
turned several hundred bowls on it without problems. The computer did go
bonkers once, but all it took was to unplug it for 5 minutes for a hard
reboot and everything has been ok since then. I fiddled with enough reeves
drives and manual belt change speed control. I do unplug it when not in
use if there is any chance of a thunderstorm. Just like I do my other
computers.

Mine was made in New Zealand, cannot speak to the newer ones made in
China.

--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA

Lose not thy airspeed lest the ground
rise up and smite thee!

On Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:35:28 -0400, Russ Stanton wrote:

Nased on the current feedback and the previous string of posts in March
I put in an order at the local Woodcraft (Greenville SC) and should have
it in about 2weeks. I also ordered the cast iron stand and the outboard
tool rest. It would appear from pictures of the lathe that I could pivot
the head and then be able to sit on a stool while turning. If this works
it will be great since I have low back issues if I stand for too long.


I was going to suggest that you get the cast iron legs - you made the
right decision. And yes, the head does swivel. But note that if you do
that with a heavy piece, especially one that's out of balance, you're
putting all the load to one side of the stand - may somewhat increase
vibration and stability. With most turning that won't be a problem.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

Thanks for the heads up on the potential vibration issue with an out of
balance object when the headstock is pivoted. I'll be sure to be extra
careful if I need to do this for one of my projects.

Given the cast iron legs does anyone have any ideas on how to make this
assembly mobile so I can move it around in my basement workshop?

Russ
"Larry Blanchard" wrote in message
om...
On Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:35:28 -0400, Russ Stanton wrote:

Nased on the current feedback and the previous string of posts in March
I put in an order at the local Woodcraft (Greenville SC) and should have
it in about 2weeks. I also ordered the cast iron stand and the outboard
tool rest. It would appear from pictures of the lathe that I could pivot
the head and then be able to sit on a stool while turning. If this works
it will be great since I have low back issues if I stand for too long.


I was going to suggest that you get the cast iron legs - you made the
right decision. And yes, the head does swivel. But note that if you do
that with a heavy piece, especially one that's out of balance, you're
putting all the load to one side of the stand - may somewhat increase
vibration and stability. With most turning that won't be a problem.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

On Sat, 10 Oct 2009 09:35:54 -0400, "Russ Stanton"
wrote:

With the outboard stand, you should be able to pivot 180 degrees and still turn
bowls, right?

I usually just pivot 45 degrees to get where I want to be, the rails out of my
way...
The tool rest that comes with the DRV works well at 45..

Thanks for the heads up on the potential vibration issue with an out of
balance object when the headstock is pivoted. I'll be sure to be extra
careful if I need to do this for one of my projects.

Given the cast iron legs does anyone have any ideas on how to make this
assembly mobile so I can move it around in my basement workshop?

Russ
"Larry Blanchard" wrote in message
news:v6mdnSjzIYyhZlLXnZ2dnUVZ_rli4p2d@pghconnect. com...
On Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:35:28 -0400, Russ Stanton wrote:

Nased on the current feedback and the previous string of posts in March
I put in an order at the local Woodcraft (Greenville SC) and should have
it in about 2weeks. I also ordered the cast iron stand and the outboard
tool rest. It would appear from pictures of the lathe that I could pivot
the head and then be able to sit on a stool while turning. If this works
it will be great since I have low back issues if I stand for too long.


I was going to suggest that you get the cast iron legs - you made the
right decision. And yes, the head does swivel. But note that if you do
that with a heavy piece, especially one that's out of balance, you're
putting all the load to one side of the stand - may somewhat increase
vibration and stability. With most turning that won't be a problem.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

I can't speak for the DVR but I've had my Nova 1624/44 since June
(having upsized from a Delta midi - very similar to your Jet) and it's
a very well built machine. Got mine from Woodturner's Supply in Utah
and it came with the extension bed and a Nova chuck for free, as well
as being on sale.

I appreciate the modular design approach which allows me to upgrade to
the DVR head should I ever want/need to.

The stock legs seem to be adequate, but I haven't really challenged
them too much yet. I wore the bearings out on my little Delta by
turning oversized/unbalanced loads. (one of the reasons I purchased
the Nova)

I'm sure you'll enjoy the DVR. Happy turning!

Kurt

On Oct 10, 7:50*am, HiNRG61 wrote:

I appreciate the modular design approach which allows me to upgrade to
the DVR head should I ever want/need to.


Do you know for sure that this is an option? I've looked all over the
Teknatool website and the forum they used to have and find no mention
of them offering to sell the DVR head by itself. I would probably
spring for it if the price were at all reasonable.

Bill