Hello,
I am new here so I hope I am posting this in the right place

Here are my two choses

This Nova Mercury Mini Lathe has a 8" swing with 8" between centers and 14" swing outboard. It's powered by a 1/2 horse variable speed motor. It is made by Teknatool.


the second one is a Carba-Tec 1/4 horse mini 6" swing 12.5" between centers


They both look nice, but my problem with the mercury is that Teknatool no longer makes it, so if something brakes then I probably will not be able to get parts. Also I cannot find much information about it so I don't know if has any major flaws.

The problem I have with the Carba-Tec is I think it might be a little under powered.

I plan on turning mostly pens, but I would like to be able to turn some small bowls.

Any help would be appreciated,
Jeff

Also the picture of the Carba-Tec is not the actual picture I don't have one. I had to find one online (thank you pennstateind.com)

G'day Jeff and welcome aboard!!

For me the Nova is the better lathe. Looks more robust and has a 1/2 hp motor. The extra grunt over and above the other will be appreciated when doin bowls.

G'day Jeff, welcome to the forum.

I must confess I hadn't seen the Teknatool Mercury lathe before, looked it up on the Teknatool website and it is still listed there.

The specifications are certainy very attractive, like that variable speed DC motor and some of the other features.

It would certainly be a better lathe than the Carbatec one.

Have you looked at the Vicmarc VL100 EVS, I believe they are available in your neck of the woods.

__________________
Cheers Fred
Rifle Cartridge Pen Kits Camo Bullet Pen First Bullet Pen Closed End Pen Mandrel Sander Mill Router Table for Incra LS
TS10L Tablesaw Tablesaw Comparison Steelmaster Lathe

Not sure if I can say I'm qualified to give advice mate, but I always work on get the best and most powerful thing you can afford.

I call it future-proofing!

I would stay clear of the carbetec , I had a similar one from new ,took it back three times in a couple of weeks for repairs ( mainly drive belts and drive pulley runout ) they had no spares and kept replacing the machine ,the third time I told em to keep it and upgraded to a Woodcraft ,done a few thousand pens and no problems with the machine ,I just miss the variable speed hehe. I think the stronger motor will prove useful in time for other small turnings you may like to try cheers ~ and good turning John

__________________
G'day all !Enjoy your stay !!!

Hi newbie: glad you made it here. You will learn a lot. I'm from USA also and am confused as to your lathe choices. There are many small lathes available here in U.S. Jet , Delta, PSI brand (of which I have no clue) . If I were you and my budget allowed I would go with a minimum of 10" swing and at least 1/2 hsp. That way you can do small bowls too. Have fun

Alright, thanks guys! I will go with the nova. The reason I am picking between these 2 lathes is because they are the only ones in my price range at the moment. When I get older and have a more steady job I will get a bigger lathe.

Thanks again for all your help!

Good choice and good luck with it.

__________________
Cheers, John
Just a thought:If it’s true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

I have owned a Nova Mercury for several years (7+) with the smaller motor as 1/2hp was not available when I purchased it.I have turned pens ect, bowls,platters, plus pieces that should have been turned on my Woodfast Cobra.I have had NO PLOBLEMS at all with it. I have abused this lathe at times and it keeps going.

Awww man, it got sold out from under me. I am thinking about getting a shop smith instead. Or maybe I should just save up and get a jet or delta. I don't know what I want. Thanks for all your guys help.

Bad luck mate!

Shopsmith is a bit finicky.

the Small deltas - new models get good reviews. Try the IAP site for more information.

there a bit finicky, how so?
Thanks