The new Nova Comet II Midi Lathe is sized for hobbyists and advanced woodworkers, but looks to be well-featured and versatile for beginners as well. In addition to a 12″ swing capacity and 16.5″ between-centers bed length, the Comet II has a unique attachment point that can accept various sanding and grinding accessories.
With an added Versaturn coupler, you can attach the following add-on accessories directly to the lathe motor:
- 6-inch variable speed grinding wheel
- 6-inch wire brush
- flexible shaft driver with rotary tool chuck
- 4″ x 36″ belt sander
- 8″ slow-speed whetstone grinder for sharpening
- 6″ disk sander
Bed extensions and a reversible G3 chuck are also available as optional add-ons.
Specifications and Standard Equipment
- bowl-turning capacity: 12″ inboard
- between-centers: 16.5″, extendable to 42″ with optional parts
- power: 3/4HP, 120v single phase, 60Hz
- variable speed: 250-4000 RPM via 3-step pulley system
- tailstock: 2MT hollow
- 3″ faceplate
- 6″ toolrest
- 2MT live center
- 2MT spur center
- manual and fastenings
- handwheel
- knockout bar
MSRP is $500, and although we’re not sure about the attachments, it was floating around that the grinder will be $50.
More Info via Teknatool and Nova
I NEED ONE OF THESE!!! Now only if i could come up with a litle extra $$. it looks perfect for smaller projects.
hahaha, those were my exact same thoughts as I was writing up the post. Although, the grinder, whetstone, flex-shaft and sanding disk attachments will probably add quite a bit to the price. And there’s no telling whether parts will be available for those accessories in the future; what if, in 5-years, the Versaturn coupler breaks?
But the lathe itself looks quite appealing, and I’m thinking that there would be little harm in adding one, maybe two attachments to save the expense and space requirements of full-size benchtop tools.
I would be hesitant using a grinder next to wood dust, even worst if there were dust collection.
That’s a very good reminder! And I agree, using the lathe and grinder attachment in a back-and-forth manner without cleaning up between sessions can be risky, even if one produces larger chips and shavings rather than fine dust.
In an industrial setting one deals with mixed dust situations (e.g. grinding aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zircalloy etc.) and potential hazards with wet dust collection and/or wet downdraft tables. This is totally impractical for the home shop – where anything (welding, torch cutting, grinding, nibbling etc.) that produces sparks and/or hot flying debris should be done well away from anything that can burn. Most basement shops – are not the place to do these tasks and potentially set your hous on fire.