Robust American Beauty vs Sweet 16

[roger wiegand]

I can't compare them, as I've never turned on the Sweet 16. I will say I have no reason to even begin to regret going with the AB. As with everything, it depends on what you want the tool to do, I suppose. I'm not sure in what way the Sweet 16 might be superior beyond price and perhaps portability. If you're a pen turner either is undoubtedly overkill, though I've made quite a few nice pens on my AB. I can also core out 24" bowls that I have no use for but have a lot of fun making. I have not yet found, and don't really expect to find, any use for which the AB is inadequate to my skills and needs. For better or worse, I'm at the point where I can't really plan on future upgrades of tools so I just get things that I think will exceed my needs and skills for as long as I'll be able to use them. It's a fortunate position to be in.

[Paul Heely]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I'm definitely going to go with the AB. Now for the fun of having a basement shop. Luckily I only have about 10 bulkhead steps to go down that are a straight shot and with easy access from outside. And whoever buys my 3520b will have to get it out of the basement. From what I've read it shouldn't be too bad.

Now to get out to Trent's next week and then let the waiting game begin.