{"id":382,"date":"2011-01-29T22:20:57","date_gmt":"2011-01-30T02:20:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/?p=382"},"modified":"2011-01-29T22:20:57","modified_gmt":"2011-01-30T02:20:57","slug":"new-lathe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.woodturningpens.com\/new-lathe\/","title":{"rendered":"Testing A New Lathe and A New Tool"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
In the Beginning<\/h2>\n
Two years ago, in February 2009, I got started in the turning world with a Jet 12” by 20” lathe (Jet Model JWL-1220). For a beginner, the machine worked perfectly and allowed me to finish projects ranging from pens and bottle stoppers to small bowls\/platters made with blanks that were rarely more than 1-2” thick and no more than 5” in diameter. As I gained practice and confidence, I tried to work with larger bowl blanks, but at the point that I attempted to turn a piece of Claro Walnut that measured a more hefty 5” x 5”, I ended up practically chasing my little lathe across the shop as it vibrated and chattered from the centrifugal forces that were quickly overcoming its body weight of easily less than 100 pounds. At this point the hunt was on for a new and larger machine that would grow with me in the woodturning hobby.<\/p>\n
Initial Choices<\/h2>\n
The first choice machine that captured my attention was the Nova DVR XP. The machine was highly recommended by the editor of More Woodturning and my woodturning mentor and teacher, my father Steve Staley, had purchased the Nova DVR XP within the year and was very satisfied with it. The price tag on of roughly $2,250 retail (without legs, that retail separately for over $400 more) was a big jump in price from what the JET had cost but I was at a loss for anything comparable without jumping even farther up the price chain with a machine by Powermatic, Oneway, or Vicmarc. Retail prices courtesy of Woodcraft at http:\/\/www.woodcraft.com\/<\/p>\n