We recently purchased a new (to us) house with a heated  basement and I want to replace the 1950s Shopsmith that I learned on and as some may know those old SSs minimum speed is 750rpm, which gets quite scary trying to get a gnarly chunk of wood balanced and turned round.  I am considering the Jet 1640 Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or it is within my price range and seems to be a decent machine.  I have read reviews most good, some not so much, especially when it comes to the paint chipping.   I also looked at the Laguna Revo  Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Any input pro or con on either machine or opinions on other machines is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Rob

Definitely will keep the Shopsmith, I love the drill press feature and also have the planer, tablesaw, and drum/disc sander attachments as well well as mortising attachments.  I learned to turn on this lathe for the past couple years and have been glad to have inherited it.  I have the original receipt for it from the 50s I think (if I remember right) it was like $250 w/attachments . LOL  I also have the old style jigsaw for it but I can't seem to get it to run without breaking the blades instantly!       I just wish it would turn slower for roughing out work, and I guess SS makes an  upgrade that allows you to slow it down but I think I have to replace the entire head unit $$$$$$$$

Ralph Fahringer wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2018 at 2:32pm:

There are 2 pulleys inside ( I know cuz I had to replace them last year) one is the drive pulley and the other is a pulley that closes or separates to increase/decrease belt tension and length thereby increase/decrease speeds, but there is no pulley system like many of the new lathes that you can change to change ratios.

Actually I believe the pulley that is a 2 piece pully that controls the speed is the drive pully, the other is attached to the spindle and more of an idler pully

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

Well I correct myself there are 3 pulleys a 2 piece sheave on the motor shatft  and a belt connecting it to a 2 pc sheave connected to the speed control knob which connects via another belt to the idler pulley on the spindle shaft

I have a Jet 1642 EVS and absolutely love it.  Solid as a rock.

Personally between the two you selected I would get the Laguna Revo.   I do think it is better built then the Jet and I have nothing against the Jet but just how I feel when seeing both of them.

I have a Powermatic 3520b and like it but given a chance I would get something else like the Robust but it is more expensive.

One thing tho it depends on who you buy the Laguna Revo from.  If you buy it from the company they have had horrible customer service when I tried to buy a lathe from them 3 years ago and NEVER could get anyone to call back or email me so I could buy one.  If you get one from Woodcraft or another big outlet like that you will get much better service or even take it back to them.

I am also not sold on Powermatic anymore either.  I had some paint peeling off and wanted it to look nicer so I contacted them and told them about the problem and they told me to paint it with one of their spray cans they sell for $25 and $15 for shipping and I looked like this 

I asked them about their warranty and it did not cover their cruddy paint job. 
So I will no longer buy from them.

Also I do like the two Grizzly lathes someone linked to but they are more then you shown.

I too started turning on a Shopsmith after I saw it on tv. Still have the Shopsmiths (2), but  not using as a lathe.  A little tricky with balancing blanks, and not slow enough.  And DON’T get the speed reducer to turn with, it can’t handle the load.  Also I know what can happen with a bad catch— bent drive spindle— which is co$tly.
I can’t speak to the Jets, but do have a Laguna 1847 that I like a lot— was to be my BIG lathe until I stumbled onto the Amercan Beauty.

Have you looked at your local woodturning group.  It is likely the members collectively have a wide variety of lathe manufacturers and sizes, and would be generous with their experience and shopping considerations.  You might also have an opportunity to "test drive" some of the makes and models to see what features and characteristics you most like and dislike.

Rob Corriveau wrote on Feb 18^th, 2018 at 11:50am:


I guess I'm lucky. I have the Shopsmith Powerpro, a dvr system that runs fro 250 RPM to 10000 RPM.  You can upgrade yours (for a couple grand!).  A dedicated lathe is still the best option if you have room.