Call to all Robust lathe owners.
I have just started a woodturning business, and I am loving it. I have an awesome lathe, but it's old (see Turning Group Members and Their Lathes). It's great for bowl work, but it has issues with spindle work. Granted, I haven't done many tweaks and upgrades, but they would run a couple thousand dollars and up. So I was thinking that I would get a new one. So far Robust is winning the race. I personally don't find the Oneways as impressive as people make them out to be. (Sorry Oneway owners.) In fact, I know of one owner who tried everything he knew, including hiring a professional woodturner, to try and get a large unbalanced black to run well enough to turn. Maybe it was a lemon, but something in the headstock assembly wasn't able to handle it. With that knowledge I looked into what seems to be a better choice. I have corresponded with the president of Robust, and I am liking the features and engineering innovations. I was hoping I could get some personal stories and opinions of those who already own one. I am especially interested in pushing its weight bearing ability. Has anyone done HUGE outboard work on it? Thanks all.
Hutch
How much wood could a Oneway chuck...
When a Oneway does chuck wood?
Ok, sorry couldn't resist the old cliche. :D
Matt, visit this site for a good indication of what a Oneway 2436 can handle:
http://www.onegoodturn.ca/howidoit/v1.html
For outboard work, check out this one:
http://www.onegoodturn.ca/howidoit/p1.html
Funny you should mention that...
Steve:
I actually already own a lathe that's almost equivalent to an Oliver pattern maker's lathe. Check it out on the third page of "Turning Group Members and Their Lathes". Also, I know I won't be able to do absolutely everything on one lathe, I just was curious to see which lathe could be pushed the most and what each lathe's weaknessess are. If I do find myself delving into bigger and bigger work, then I would be ready to purchase a more specialized lathe, like the VB36 or an Oliver 121. Or is it 122? Anywho, I just want to see if I can have my cake and eat it too. :D
Hutch