Thread: Time to upgrade

Hi Reece,

I have a MC1100. Pretty good, but quality leaves a lot to be desired. After 5 years have had 2 engine issues, many of the cam locks loosen under vibration and some of the handles have broken off etc. BUT great for the $$ I paid.

Nova 1624 - Bigger engine than MC1100 and better quality, I've studied this long and hard as highly likely to be my next purchase.

GC

For "pens only," the Woodfast is easily the best choice.

The MC-1100 is nice entry-level lathe, but it's basically just an MC-900 with a few (to my mind) minor improvements. It has almost all of the MC-900s faults.

The Nova is a far nicer lathe to use than an MC-X00, although personally I'm not convinced it's the best value for money.

I haven't tried the H&F.

So, the Woodfast will turn goblets & 12" dia. or smaller bowls and platters, so could be the better choice for you. But it's just more of what you're doing now, although at better quality. It's also the only one of the bunch that doesn't do outboard turning.

The Nova would be my choice of the group; almost as good for pens and also opens the door to larger turnings if you'd so desire.

How's yer budget?

Reece, I second Skews choice of the Nova with the H&F running a very close second.

I bought the Nova 1624 lathe this week, and im very happy with the machine. I never worked with the another lathes, the nova was my first choice, and i like them. For a impression of my lathe zee tis link from the Dutch woodwork forum: Houtbewerkersforum.nl • Toon onderwerp - Mijn Nieuwe Nova 1824-44 Draaibank

Originally Posted by Wilco Flier

I bought the Nova 1624 lathe this week, and im very happy with the machine. I never worked with the another lathes, the nova was my first choice, and i like them. For a impression of my lathe zee tis link from the Dutch woodwork forum: Houtbewerkersforum.nl • Toon onderwerp - Mijn Nieuwe Nova 1824-44 Draaibank

How good is your Dutch Reece?

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

How's yer budget?

my budget is high, but wifey has other ideas

the nova is about a high as i can go in terms of price, otherwise i'd be going for a vicmarc i reckon.

Is it hard to re-allign the centers on the nova after doing outboard turning?

I've played with the Nova and it's pretty reasonable for the money. It's belt change, but it's easy enough to do, it has 8 well spaced speeds which is great. In that group I'd go for that one, unless as skew said the Woodfast has the capacity you need.

I'd never really considered the Hafco one - it (and the mid level carbatec) look to have too much of the MC-XX about them and whilst they have many major improvements I wonder if they have fully resolved issues such as slop in the tailstock, headstock and tailstock not quite lining up, bed rails not perfectly parallel, etc. If anyone has these lathes, I'd love to hear how they compare to their cheaper cousins.

Cheers,
Dave

It depends what you see yourself turning down the track. I would be opting for the Nova out of that bunch as a decent all rounder. They have a good reputation. As has been said it is belt change but I see that as being reliable. How long would you expect elect var speed will last and how much to repair it.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by Reece

Is it hard to re-allign the centers on the nova after doing outboard turning?

No, its very easy, put the swivel head in the normal direction, take the another center and put them on one line. Then lock the swivel head. It takes 5 seconds.

One thing: make sure the centers are on one line (x-axis and y-axis) when you buy the machine.

Originally Posted by Reece

Is it hard to re-allign the centers on the nova after doing outboard turning?

Very easily with one of these

Originally Posted by Reece

Is it hard to re-allign the centers on the nova after doing outboard turning?

Reece ,
I have the XP , and the setup is the same .
centers line up just right , as Wilco says .
DJ's wee tool looks like a good idea too

If you do get the Nova ,

get an extra bed section too if you can , gives you room to move

cheers ,
Jock

Gday I would go the Nova because of the extra range of use. Woodfast next.
Mick

Have you considered the Jets? My father in law has a 1220 and is very happy ($595 Gary Pye)

To line up my lathe headstock I put the point of a cone live centre (with tailstock locked down) in the morse recess then lock the headstock. Takes about 5 secs also.
I should mention my lathe is not a Nova but the line up method will suit any lathe.