So I have been studying on lathes for a few weeks now, making some posts here and on the Neander forum. I am making chairs, Welsh Stick Chairs and Windsors. I have been calculating on what work I can/could do with hand tools and where I might be able to use a lathe. I am finding out that just about everyone who makes chairs uses a lathe. I have a constant source of green wood on the property I live on that I would like to be able to make things with.
I started thinking about a used or mini-midi lathe but I have determined that I want to have the flexibility to turn bowls, plates etc. too. Here are some of the lathes I have found locally that I am hoping to find out more about.
1)A local dealer bought stock from an Atlanta Woodworking Show. They have a General International 25-114QC, 3/4hp motor, speeds 250-800, 550-1700, 1200-3600, this one has a bed extension on it and legs that come with it $994.47.
2) Woodcraft has: Nova 1624-44 $1399.99, Nova DVR XP $2399.99, Jet 1440s & the popular Jet 1642 $2344.99. I don't think I would go with the Jet 1440 vs a Nova 1624-44 for similar money.
3) Highland Woodworking has a Oneway 1224 that would represent the max lathe I would consider buying at $2,490.
Looking up the General Lathe it only weights 93lbs which makes me suspicious that it is substantially less machine than the other options and the 15% discount off list does not get me very fired up.
I am probably most interested in the Nova 1624 as I believe it will handle the size spindles I make with it's 24" between centers capacity. I am having a hard time justifying spending another $1,000 to move up to a Jet 1642, Nova DVR or the Oneway 1224. The Oneway machine has a smaller motor than the other options in that price range, but I suspect it is the most sturdily built machine.