ON TEST: Nova lathes
Above: The Nova Neptune bench mounted lathe.
Words and photos: Andrew Potocnik
Nova have recently introduced two lathes which deserve serious consideration. The Nova Neptune and Neptune Max are the same lathe, however one is a bench-mounted midi version while the Max is free-standing with a single-piece bed that is 255mm longer, allows extended spindle turning.
What sets these lathes apart is the flexibility afforded by the sliding headstock which can rotate 360°. Doing some homework prior to trialling the lathes, I found they are powered by a direct drive motor which allows the headstock move along the bed to any required position. Normally lathes have pulleys that allow for changes in speed range or torque, however the direct drive system opens many avenues.
Large locking levers make tightening the tool rest and saddle easy and efficient.
If you need to hollow from the end, slide the headstock to where you need it and stand directly in front to shape the inside of a bowl, or work your way into a hollow form. No need to lean over the lathe bed, just stand in front and look straight in. This is a great asset if you’re turning repeated forms where fatigue can set in, or if your agility isn’t what it used to be.
Likewise, if you wish to turn a bowl larger than the generous 380mm maximum diameter afforded over the bed, you can rotate the headstock up to 360° to select indented increments of 22.5, 45, and 180° to find a position that is comfortable and safe.
The most common problem in this position is providing ample support for the tool rest, but the solid saddle provides plenty. If access is a problem, it can be moved from the right side of the headstock, which is where it ‘should’ be, and moved to the left of the bed, behind the headstock, which should eliminate the need for an external support.
The saddle has three threaded holes so the spring-loaded toolrest lever won’t get in your way.
The bed length of the Neptune is 480mm while that of the Neptune Max is 1080mm. Although not available for me to review, Nova’s website shows options for external support for either end of the lathe bed via joining points machined for bed extensions that are also available.
For extra length there are 16" extension beds that fit to either end of each lathe. Although made in New Zealand, all components are rounded to imperial increments and translated to metric conversions on the specification sheets. Furthermore, the spindle size is not the usual metric size of M30, but imperial 1-1/4" 8 TPI. On enquiry I learnt that lathes with M30 threads are not available.
On test
Putting the Neptune to the test, I found the 1.5hp direct drive Striatech motor provides plenty of torque. Due to its clever internal controller, the motor ramps up power to maintain even rpms when it detects extra load on the workpiece – a great feature.
The lathe features electronic braking, adjustable in the lathe menu, so wood can be slowed without using the handwheel. At 75mm in diameter, this isn’t a practical size, but it has four screw holes so you can add a larger wooden disc that will assist in fitting faceplates or chucks to the spindle.
I’m always conscious of how easy it is for older hands and fingers to operate locking levers, considering that many hobby turners are older and small, fiddly fixtures can make or break a sale. Here all levers are large and easily lock without much effort. Spring-loaded micro levers can be moved out of the way with ease, and if that isn’t enough, the saddle has three holes that the locking lever can be relocated to.
The 1.5hp direct drive Striatech motor provides plenty of torque.
The handwheel on the tailstock is also large enough to be operated with ease and has a self-ejecting tailstock centre so there’s no need to use a knock-out bar, even though the spindle is hollow, which allows for drilling long holes.
The quill has a travel distance of 100mm with laser-cut markings in both metric and imperial, so you know just how far it has advanced, especially handy when drilling holes.
These lathes are a welcome addition to the market. Well made, easy to operate with a powerful motor and swivel heads, as a midi lathe, the Neptune Max could easily be a primary workhorse in any turner’s workshop. I’d be more than happy to have one in mine, however I would prefer to have an M10 threaded version.
Andrew Potocnik @andrewpotocnik is a Melbourne wood artist, teacher, author and regular contributor to Australian Wood Review. See https://www.andrewpotocnik.com/
Review machines supplied by and available from Carbatec, www.carbatec.com.au