Thread: Lathe models with reverse feature

Originally Posted by Lyle

I am in the market for a new lathe.
One of my main features I want is the ability to reverse.
I guess that feature is usually accompanied with variable speed.
To help with my search can anyone tell me which machines come standard with the reverse feature.
I am aware of the Vicmarc. But are there others to consider.
Thanks Lyle.

I have JUST set this lathe up ... Nova-1624-2.jpg ... as in this morning just set it up ! Has reverse but not VS, although it wipes about $1000 off the price not having VS. Any web search for the Nova 1624 will bring up details of this lathe.

Thanks Tim
My father in law had a Nova but it was an older model.
I will certainly check out the Nova range.
Lyle.

Lyle,

I have the Nova DVR XP - both reverse and variable speed. I have had it for around 2 years and am very happy with it. I waited until Carbatec were having their 10 percent off sale (which I think they are having next week). I love having both of these functions. If only my turning was as good as my machine !!!!

cheers

Mick

This machine has those features, highly recommended and excellent value.

http://www.garypye.com/Lathe-s/Lathe...athe-p770.html

Regards,
Cam

I have a Nova 1624 that I upgraded earlier this year to VS.


Very happy with the Nova, even happier now with VS.

And reverse is really great, as shown in this video.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYvcHS2XPU0

My old teknatool , the drive belt is long enough to twist it to make it go backwards!

Check out Hare and Forbes, They have a good solid lathe with reverse and EVS at a good price.

Fred, Big Shed, has one that he is very happy with.

Check out Pop's Shed site
http://www.popsshed.com.au
Has reversible lathes

any motor can be reversed with a properly wired switch! single phase motors too!

Hi Lyle,
Can't see for the life of me why you wood want a " Reverse "
Is it a special project. In all my years of Turning, I have never even thought of needing reverse, but if that is what you want, go for it.
I think the big Jet has it, Vicmarc, Nova, Omega ??, Woodfast ?? not sure about Laguna.

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi Lyle,
Can't see for the life of me why you wood want a " Reverse "

Good for sanding when you have raised the fur going one direction. Sand, apply light coat of finish, let dry, sand in reverse. Speeds up the end grain sanding on bowls.

Also very good for unwinding chuck and finished bowl, which bounces off bed and rolls across floor, if you don't have set screws holding chuck adapter on spindle, and chuck on adapter.

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi Lyle,
Can't see for the life of me why you wood want a " Reverse "

I'm also in the "why you wood want reverse" camp. Sure there are plenty of turners out there that advocate the perceived benefits of having reverse feature on a lathe but there are additional hazards in using reverse on the inboard side of the lathe as Paul mentioned. To me the extra hazards out weigh the "benefits" but I have turned in reverse for years on my Woodfast M908 - outboard of course.

I power sand the outside of a bowl in reverse for 2 reasons.

1: It means the sanding pad and the bowl are rotating in opposite directions = more efficient sanding. Of course you can reverse the drill, but I find this tends to unlock a keyless chuck.

2: Reverse sanding the outside takes the dust away from you (straight into the dust extractor) rather than sending the dust towards you.

A couple of warnings if you want to sand in reverse.

1: Bump the chuck onto the spindle so that it's tight. (finger tight is not good enough). Vicmarc make a clamp to clamp the chuck/faceplate to the spindle, only works with Vicmarc chucks and lathes.

2: Be aware of the insert unscrewing while running in reverse. Vicmarc chucks have a grub screw to prevent this happening.

I sand the inside of the bowl with the lathe running in forward so that the drill and work are rotating in different directions. Catching the dust from the inside of a bowl is problematic as the dust tends to cling to the inside rim and will fly everywhere when sanding out to the rim area.

I also tend to sand spindles in reverse to facilitate dust collection.

My 2 bobs worth

Cheers
Tim

Thanks for the inputs.
I was looking at the reverse mainly from the 'exponents' comments and views.
My old woodfast X150 has served me well for over 30 years but now I want something better.

After listening to a LOT of advice, opinions and guidance, I am now seriously looking at the Woodfast C1000X.
It has all the versatility I'll need and it is an Australian company (at least I hope it is).
I think the swivel head will negate my need for reverse. I can work on the inside of deepish bowl rims.
Has indexing head and a good depth of swing, etc.
Can turn outboard with the standard attachment.

Opinions good/bad

Thanks
Lyle.