Thread: New issue of Aust Wood Review - 3 big lathes tested by Richard Raffan

An interesting read.

The big US-made Laguna is now being imported by Gregory Machinery.

The big Teknatool still has a two-piece bed that makes for point-alignment fiddles. Raffan had no patience to do it. It still uses a headstock-mount-only outrigger. The donk remains a gem though (unless the motherboard goes to permanent sleep).

Raffan doesn't like electronic braking when the off-switch is punched. He likes to hand brake on the wheel. I think e-braking is essential on a swivel-head machine but he doesn't use those. And I thought VLs had it. My 175 does anyway. The 300 has been his choice of machine and the latest (with spindle, not motor, dig rev read-out) was the 3rd in this review. IIRC Groggy's got one of his cast-offs (nice score).

I have a spare copy of this issue for some reason; if anyone wants it I'll post it for $8.25.

Best wishes for the festive season folks.