DVR in the Driver’s Seat

Let’s start with the lathe’s business end — a 1.5hp direct-drive Digital Variable Reluctance (DVR) motor. It’s both powerful and coupled with an advanced control system. Striatech’s Intelligent Direct Drive controls deliver remarkable torque across all speed settings — from 100 to 3,500 rpm. Included in the programming for the motor is a chisel jam detection feature that will stop the machine if something goes awry. Also part of the safety package is electronic braking to ensure rapid stops. I believe it’s the most sophisticated lathe motor system in the industry.

The Neptune is sized to allow home-shop turners the opportunity to create really large bowls inboard with its 15″ swing (18″ between centers) and outboard turning diameters up to 20″. Outboard turning is accomplished with a power head that slides the full length of the bed and pivots 360 degrees. To further accommodate outboard turning, Nova has developed a full set of tool-rest extensions and outriggers.

The takeaway from all this is that the Neptune performs well above its “weight class,” so to speak. It will likely fulfill many turner’s desires for a large lathe without the significant footprint or price.

Screen Time

In addition to the high-tech motor, this lathe’s control screen is an HMI (Human Machine Interface) icon-based system. There are speed chart icons for rough cuts, fine and finish cuts, load level, a diameter-based speed chart, an unbalanced load icon, favorite speed control, a break-enabled warning icon and a reverse rotation icon. All of those surround a large active rpm display. This icon-based layout is another step forward in lathe design.

Nova has taken the time to fully accessorize the Neptune, too. From the standard benchtop version you can add benchtop mounting plates, heavy-duty legs, a bed extension, tool-rest extension for turning large-diameter stock and an outrigger for even larger-diameter turnings. In other words, the basic unit can grow as your skills expand. Fully outfitted with all the accessories, it becomes a lifetime tool — one that few home-shop turners will ever outgrow.

Nicely done, Nova. Here’s a new niche in the lathe marketplace that will fit many woodturners’ shop spaces and pocketbooks.

Nova Neptune

Motor: 1.5hp DVR, 110/240-volt

Speed Range: 100 to 3,500 rpm

Swing Over Bed: 15″

Distance Between Centers: 18″

Spindle: 1-1⁄4″ diameter, 8 tpi

Quill: 2.4″ travel; #2 Morse Taper

Headstock: Swivels 360 degrees

Indexing: 24 positions, electronic

Controls: Icon-based screen; Intelligent Direct Drive

Safety: Electronic braking, chisel jam detection

Weight: 125 lbs

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Which is why I find these new aluminum Saddle Squares from Rockler to be so handy. Notice that they have a knurled grip — I’ve found it to not only make the task of positioning them easier, but it also enables me to hold them more confidently. That is a win-win in my book! Rockler offers four options: 90 degree, 45-degree miter, 1:6 dovetails and 1:8 dovetails. Each sells for $14.99.

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Twenty-six years is a long time for just about anyone except a tree. In the publishing business, it’s a millennium. And that’s how long I’ve been with Woodworker’s Journal. Personally, a lot has happened over these years. The first week I started, my daughter was in a life-threatening car accident and spent the next several months in a hospital bed in our dining room. Later, my wife of 30 years passed away, I had a heart attack and my house went underwater … all in one year. Life is not for the wimpy.

But through all that and more, the Woodworker’s Journal staff, my Rockler colleagues and you, our readers, have been there for me. In the entire universe there is likely not a better job I could have found. But all things must pass (some like a kidney stone, others like a golden sunset). I am truly grateful for my time here in print, the Internet and video. The experiences were beyond my fondest dreams.

So, I am letting you all know that I am moving on from the Woodworker’s Journal and the Weekly. It’s time to pass the baton (beautifully turned from curly maple) to Chris Marshall, a person who is no stranger to you. Chris is taller than me but not nearly as handsome, poetic or as humble and modest. But he is a superstar in the world of woodworking media. You are in good hands.

Trust that I will continue to make sawdust while keeping track of the Journal and all of you. Thanks for over a quarter-century. You are the best.

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal

(Those wishing to bid Rob a fond farewell can send their thoughts to editor@woodworkersjournal.com, and we will publish them in next week’s Feedback section.)

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Using only handheld battery-powered tools, build this modern coffee table. It features a flip-up top and a two-way drawer.

Click Here to Download the Plan.

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The concept of shared woodworking spaces, also known as maker spaces, has sparked my interest in the last little while. The idea, which can vary somewhat, is that a woodworker pays a certain monthly amount to have access to a place with a bunch of woodworking equipment for use. Every time I have to wrestle the tools around my garage shop, that concept seems really appealing. I’ve talked to people who have joined a shared space, and the reviews were mixed. Some thought it great, and others pointed out problems and issues that they experienced.

My question for you all is this: Have you ever been a part of a shared woodworking space, and how did you like it? I am looking forward to your reports!

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal

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Context is an important qualifier. It frames our choices and responses in ways conscious and unconscious. Recently, I made a project for the December issue of the magazine. In one photo, I crosscut a 5″-wide board on a cabinet saw but did not use a stand-off block (to avoid potential binding and kickback). This caused many folks to speak out about the unsafe technique.

The context here is the saw I was using for the cut. It is a high-quality machine with heavy-duty trunnions to keep the arbor and blade aligned, a super-strong fence accurately aligned to the saw blade, a robust riving knife behind the blade, a substantial and strong aftermarket miter gauge and a piece of stock (trimmed square to the fence on the table saw) that was narrow, but not overly so.

My (somewhat self-serving) point here is that in the context of what I was doing, my woodworking lizard brain did not identify this cut as a dangerous technique – because it was not (in context).

Even so, I failed twice. First, by not taking the extra step to absolutely make the crosscut a safe one. And second, by publishing the photo. For those mistakes I offer a sincere apology and vow to do better in the future.

Rob Johnstone, Woodworker’s Journal

Milling Eastern White Pine

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