What North American-Made Lathes (new) are Available Now?

[Doug Ladendorf]

A recent thread that touched on this got me wondering about currently available options. So far I have found:

Robust - Well known American maker. Selection of lathes that start at $5,000. They have a nice lathe for seated turners, and the oft pined-for American Beauty (sigh).
Barneveld, WI

Oneway - Well known Canadian maker. Selection of lathes that start at $2,500. 2000 series lathes are popular with serious turners. (I've turned on one and they are sweet!)
Stratford, ON

Vega - Somehow often overlooked but they make a nice 15" swing lathe starting at $2,800, and a nice bowl lathe at $3,200. They also have lathe duplicators and other tooling.
Decatur, IL

Are there others that someone looking might consider? Care to share experiences with these makers, especially the lesser known lathes? Just looking for factual information here, not getting into debates please.

[Roger Chandler]

Doug........I am not aware of any others that are widely available on a commercial basis. Some guys with welding, electrical and mechanical skills build a home made lathe on occasion........we have such a guy in our club who has built a rose engine lathe and his own bowl lathe, & also owns a Oneway. He is a creeker......Dale Winburn. Quite a turner also!

The selection is limited and likely the reason most lathes are manufactured in Tiawan/China. Of course, the Vicmark and woodfast are exceptions.

[David Delo]

Serious Tool Works would be an addition.

[Roger Chandler]

Serious Tool Works would be an addition.

The last I heard, that Serious SL2542 is actually manufactured for them in India.

[Jason Edwards]

While Serious is a US company, the lathes are made in India. Vicmarcs are made in Australia, but the castings are Asian. Woodfast, I think, is Asian now too, like Powermatic.

[David Delo]

Thanks for the correction Roger & Jason.

[Doug Ladendorf]

Thanks for jogging the memory on Serious. Pretty massive lathe! I didn't realize they moved production to India. That reminded me of Stubby lathes but I see they are not a US company. I have seen some nice home made lathes. I've also seen Nicholson wood lathes but not available now.

[Jon McElwain]

I don't think Nichols is making lathes anymore, but they were out of Oregon. I see them come up for sale now and then.

http://web.archive.org/web/200311261...holslathe.com/

Jon

[Reed Gray]

The Nichols lathes went out a number of years ago, not too long after Oneway started up. I had considered a Nichols, but the 3520A came out and I went with it. There also used to be the Conover lathes, made by Ernie Conover. You bought the headstock, and legs, and made your on ways from wood planks. I have heard of the Vega lathes, but know nothing about them.

robo hippy

[Lloyd Keniston]

Vega lathes.
http://vegawoodworking.com/product/s...-t-wood-lathe/

[Michelle Rich]

I know General is canadian, but unsure if they are made in canada...

[Hilel Salomon]

Oliver still makes lathes and used to make them here, but now, I think that they are made in China. As for Vega, I had one. OMG!!!!!!!!!!! Nuff said.

[Michael Armstrong]

General lathes are made in Canada but General International ones are made offshore.

Michael

[Bob Dupras]

Oliver still makes lathes and used to make them here, but now, I think that they are made in China. As for Vega, I had one. OMG!!!!!!!!!!! Nuff said.

I'm not sure if that's OMG=Good, or OMG=It was the worst experience of my life. But since you say you HAD one, I'm guessing it's the 2nd OMG. Either way, I'd like to hear more.

[Randy Red Bemont]

I'm not sure if that's OMG=Good, or OMG=It was the worst experience of my life. But since you say you HAD one, I'm guessing it's the 2nd OMG. Either way, I'd like to hear more.

I'm thinking the same thing. Good or bad Hilel??

Red