Robust Lathe Review - More Woodturning
Robust Lathe Review - More Woodturning
Robust Lathe Review - More Woodturning
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turning on it for almost 2 years now,and love it.The sliding headstock is reallynice. The one thing that I didn’t likeabout the PM sliding headstockis that it isn’t statically balanced.When you release the lever, it tiltsback towards the motor so you haveto lift it back up to slide it. The <strong>Robust</strong>seems to balance well, and ismuch easier to slide along the ways.It comes with a pressure plate thatyou loosen with 2 nuts and bolts andwrenches. This does make the headstockmore secure on the lathe thanthe PM, but both hold really well.I never realized how often I movedthe headstock until I had to hasslewith the wrenches. I frequentlymove it in between turning onebowl to the next. There is no wayto get a ratcheting wrench on them,at least not without getting specializedwrenches, so I talked to Brentabout that, and he made me a leveroperated insert to replace the bolts.Much nicer, now it takes secondsrather than minutes to move theheadstock. I think I was the first oneto ask for this option. Personally Ithink it should be standard.I got the tilt away set up for thetailstock. It operates really nicely.It is like a bed extension that is alittle over 6 inches long, and willpivot down 90 degrees to get it totallyout of the way. It did not slide‘smooth as glass’ on and off thetilt away bed, you had to jiggle ita bit, but not really a problem. Theonly problem I had with it is that itwill push the lathe out farther awayfrom the wall than I wanted, something like another 6 inches, and itmade crowding in my small latheroom a bit of a problem. I almostnever use the tailstock when turningbowls, so I took it off. The tailstockfeels lighter than the one on the PM,and it isn’t a problem for me to lift itoff and on when I need to. With thePM, you had to get the tailstock toline up perfectly before sliding it on,which was a bit of a hassle becauseyou had to support all the weight withyour body. With the <strong>Robust</strong>, you canset one corner on the ways while liningit up. Some day I should probablyput it back on, but will probably waitfor a new shop.I love the banjo as well. Tighteningthe tool post has always been aproblem. The set screw with a levertype of tightening just doesn’t get thejob done, and I had a lot of problemswith stripping the lever handle onthe PM, and the tool rest vibrating[Continued on Next Page]Intelligent sensing of turningconditions adjusts latheperformance to meet turningdemands, senses chisel digins and adjusts instantlyNOVA DVR XPNEW! 5 Favourite Speedfunction for even easierspeed selection.Download thepamphlet,view videos atwww.teknatool.comThe world’s most intelligent lathe combined with the power, capacity & capability of astationary lathe - the DVR XP is revolutionaryNEW! Higher torque motor.Delivering even morepower over the old model.Extendable Bedsadds 20” capacityper section - takeyour lathe as longas you wantDirect Drive (no belts, nopulleys) means ultrasmooth cutting conditionsAvailable in the USA fromWoodcraft Supply Corpwww.woodcraft.comCraft Supplies USAwww.woodturnerscatalog.comWoodworkers Supplywww.woodworker.comPackard Woodworkswww.packardwoodworks.comSwivel Headstocklocks at any positionmakes your turningmore comfortable,saves spaceCapacity, power & capability of amuch larger lathe in a compactfootprint - 1.75HP motor, 16” inboard,29” outboard with easy to useoutrigger accessoryNEW! Updated designsolid cast iron componentsmeans rock solidperformance<strong>More</strong> <strong>Woodturning</strong> February 2010 Page 5