Open Discussion Forum

Debating lathe upgrade. Have Laguna 1236. I am pretty much a beginner...going on year two. A big thanks to member Tim H for getting me started. I have like the lathe I have, but I would like to do larger bowls and planning for retirement, where I will have more time. I am debating the Laguna 1836 and the 2436. I looked at the more expensive models. To be straight, they look great, but I would be challenged to spend that kind of money. I looked at PM, which I could do, but most everyone I have asked questioned why I would consider that over the Laguna given the price difference I have read sooooooo many reviews. I am asking my new Badger Turner friends, is there are reason, perhaps asking that someone can convince me, that there is a good reason to go with the 2436 over the 1836. I want to do larger bowls and platers. 2HP vs 3HP. Will it matter? The added height over the banjo even for smaller projects may have a benefit.....thoughts? There is a weight difference, 570 vs 610 Lbs....is it is deal maker? I could add weight below if needed. I think you get the picture. I welcome your thoughts. I have read a lot on concerns with Laguna customer service, but most seem to be dated posts. Any thoughts? I am likely overlooking somethings, so please weigh in. I looked at the Jet. Like the manufacture, but don't need 40" and have limited space. Yikes! Need some guidance.

Greg,

I am watching this discussion will take notes. Have you made a decision yet? I am beginning to consider a lathe upgrade also. I have a Jet 1221VS that works fine and is very reliable. Just thinking I may want to make bigger bowls.

Mike Roth

Hi Greg,

I bought the 1836 3 years ago, I am also a newby to turning and my previous lathes were challenging to use. I am very pleased with its performance and ease of use especially for quick change outs. Mine is 220v/2hp, I have a small shop and added the mobile base set since and happy I did. I have primarily been turning bowls of ~ 8" diameter or so, and am just starting to turn larger urns. I may add the 20" bed extension/tool rest when I start turning large plates, etc...

Hi All. I thought it was time to response letting you know I purchased the 24x36 Laguna. A bit of a beast for my experience for sure, but I hoped it would support my long term turning needs. I decided on the 24x36 based on weight (heavy), swing over banjo, and 3HP motor. So far, I really like the lathe for those reasons and ease of use. I need to qualify that last comment to note, Laguna is the only type of lathe I have used. I also like the dual control. Rather not need to flip a switch to change from one to the other, but small thing. I have continued to turn small bowls and other trinkets and have turned some larger 14" bowls finished diameter. I was confused thinking it was a stainless steel bed, which it is not. It is steel. I am happy with the lathe, but now find myself wondering if I should have gone for broke and bought a Robust. I just retired, and hope to turn much more. I am going to research the Robust more (why not, I love learning) and maybe resell and buy. Hmm. Seems like a lot for a novice, but the Robust seems to have amazing service support and a 7 year warranty. As I get older, those thing may be more important. Welcome feedback...crazy, do it, don't do it, why, etc. Thanks.

I have the 1836. I've made bowls where the blanks just fit on the lathe because they are pushing 18 inches in diameter. I've made some 17" bowls, and as I get older, I'm not sure I could lift a blank that is any larger. I turn almost exclusively green wood, and anything larger than an 18" I think would be too heavy for me to lift and handle. So, for me, there would be no reason to go to the 2436. The extra weight would be nice but for me completely unnecessary. I've never had such an unbalanced blank that the lathe would wobble (and some of them were quite unbalanced). And 16-17" bowls are actually plenty big. Personally I wouldn't want to make them any larger.