I've been lurking for a few years and finally joined up.
This started with this month's Woodcraft catalog with the Nova 1624-44 lathe on the cover. $1,199 plus a $300 gift card. This lathe is worlds apart from my little 12 x 37 bench top lathe. I've had my lathe for 30 years, but have only used it occasionally. Lately, I've developed an interest in bowls, etc., and have started harvesting some hardwoods to use for that purpose. Some of the wood I have is quite large and it's time for a bigger machine.
I've read a lot of reviews on the Nova, including threads on this forum. No complaints that concern me, but I do worry that it may not have enough heft to handle larger chunks of wood. I'll take a look at it at the WC store, but I'm hoping for some advice from those of you who may have some experience with these machines.
The GO698 has an 18" swing, 47" between centers, and it weighs over 500 pounds, for shipping, at least. The headstock slides all the way over for outboard turning. (Does that work pretty well?) Figuring local sales tax and shipping on the Grizzly, it would cost me about $250 more than the Nova, but it looks like a lot more machine: 2HP, 47" spindle, larger swing, variable speed. The GO632 is smaller, lighter, and only 1.5 HP, but it would cost about the same. It has a swiveling headstock. No gift card, of course.
Anyone have any experience with these machines? Thoughts? Thanks in advance for your advice.