Powermatic 3520C Lathe - An Old Favorite Modernized
Hi everyone, Mike here from Craft Supplies USA. In our Product In-Depth video (see below), we took a close look at the Powermatic 3520C lathe. This machine is a serious upgrade from the already impressive 3520 series, boasting some thoughtful redesigns and exciting new features. This blog post will recap the key highlights and offer some additional insights.
Stability and Strength
We started our video tour at the base of the lathe, and it's clear Powermatic focused on stability. The redesigned cast iron legs, complete with riser blocks and adjustable feet, provide six inches of height adjustment and make leveling a breeze, even on uneven floors. The added weight down low is a huge plus, especially when working with large or unbalanced pieces. A clever addition is the ledge inside each leg, perfect for adding a shelf and sandbags for even greater stability. Plus, bolt locations on each leg allow for the included tool caddy, optional bed extension, or optional tailstock swing away.
The Bed and Headstock
Moving up, the redesigned lathe bed is noticeably beefier. The thicker cast iron and internal webbing significantly dampen vibrations, resulting in a smoother turning experience. The bedways are a robust 9/16" thick, and the precision machining makes the tool rest banjo and tailstock glide effortlessly. The redesigned cast iron sliding headstock features an extended cone design, providing ample workspace for re-chucking bowls. With a 20" diameter capacity, a 1-1/4" x 8 TPI spindle thread, and a #2 Morse taper, this lathe is ready for serious work.
Power and Control
A 2 horsepower motor, driven by a two-step pulley and a 7/8" poly v-belt, provides the power. The variable frequency drive operates on 220-volt, single-phase power (Powermatic recommends a 20-amp circuit). The completely revamped control panel is a game-changer. The sturdy spindle lock is a welcome upgrade, and the movable control box, with its digital speed readout, variable speed control, start/stop buttons, and forward/reverse switch, is incredibly convenient and enhances safety. Being able to position the controls within easy reach eliminates the need to reach around large workpieces. The digital indexing feature and the full-size handwheel are also fantastic additions.
Tool Rest, Tailstock, and Accessories
The cast iron banjo has a wide footprint and a long locking handle for secure tool rest placement. The included 14" cast iron tool rest uses a wedge bushing mechanism for a solid lock that won’t mar the tool rest post. The cast iron tailstock features a long locking handle, a handy storage cubby, and a #2 Morse taper quill with 4-1/2" of travel. The ACME thread on the quill makes adjustments incredibly fast. While the tailstock is a bit heavy, the optional tailstock swing away is a worthwhile investment for those who frequently remove it. The lathe comes with a faceplate, drive center, revolving cup center, slide hammer, knockout bar, and comparator brackets.
Final Thoughts
The Powermatic 3520C is a substantial machine, weighing in at 726 pounds. Beyond the major upgrades, numerous smaller details, like the polished handles, improved locking mechanisms, power disconnect switch, and magnetic door catches, contribute to the overall fit and finish. Powermatic's five-year warranty and extensive service network provide peace of mind.
Key Specs Recap:
- 20" diameter capacity
- 35-1/2" inches between centers
- 2 horsepower motor
- Electronic variable speed
- Movable control with digital indexing
- 1-1/4" x 8 TPI spindle
- #2 Morse tapers
We were thoroughly impressed with the Powermatic 3520C. It's a well-designed and powerful lathe that's sure to be a valuable addition to any woodturning shop.
Learn More:
To learn more about the Powermatic 3520C lathe, please call us at 1-800-551-8876. We're the experts in woodturning!