Nova Galaxi DVR lathe Center Alignment Problems
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- I have had the Nova Galaxi DVR lathe for a few years and overall it has severed me well. For the price it is great. It just has some issues that you have to deal with from time to time. Centering the Headstock and tailstock is just one of them. Because you can rotate the headstock, which I like and use, it does not go back to the same place. Rather it is sloppy manufacturing or poor engineering I cannot say. All I can say is you have to deal with it and this video attempts to tell you how to do that. What is a pain in the toucus it is if you have something chucked up and need to do a function that require center to center accuracy. You have to leave the piece in the chuck, take it off (chuck and piece) as one assembly, then align the centers and then reinstall the chuck and piece. Doesn’t happen often but I have had issues when you are using the tailstock live center point as a centering alignment. Would I give up the ability to rotate the head. Probably not, I like the rotation of the headstock. Very useful. Would I like to see an upgrade to the headstock and tailstock, yes. Retrofittable preferably.
Nova link to how to use Acruline 2MT Accessory
teknatool.fres...
There is a video they put out last year but it is weak in my option. Not that mine is that much better but I at least try and teach you how to use it.
Thanks for sharing this. I have the Nova 1624 and the centers are off. I can now make the necessary adjustments so my pepper mills are not off center while turning. Thanks again and blessings.
Thank you for watching and I am glad you got something out of it. My goal is to help others to not repeat my mistakes.
Thanks CaptData that’s exactly what I noticed tonite on my Nova DVR. Couldn’t be more spot on!
thanks for the info. I'm going to buy this lathe as soon as the outrigger is back in stock.
WHY WOULD PURCHASE A INFERIOR LATHE
Easy to follow and understand, when you got to the point.
yes I can pontificate on an occasion. glad you got something our of it. Thanks for watching.
I have the exact same issue and fix! Good video.
I have a Nova Galaxy and the head stock does turn for outboard turning. The knurled pin in the front is what you loosen to swivel it. I have not taken my head stock off to examine the quality of fit of that locking pin, but if it is like the index locking pin, there is slop in it. I had to make a whole new index wheel for mine so the part would stay solid for fluting, etc.
We have a Harbor Freight 12 " lathe in our Az. shop and it is always out of alignment. I just loosen it a bit and bump it back aligned. Well I had to take the head off of it this year because it got dirt under it and so I removed the headstock to clean it. To do that I had to take out the alignment rod and bracket. Wow, you should see the slop in that puppy..about 1/16". These are not metal lathes where you expect perfect alignment on precision ways but if they have any slop in them at all, a bump on a heavy piece mounted on the head will move it. That double Morse taper tool will bring it back on center and you have to remember that when you need real precision in drilling. For most stuff between centers, you'd not notice it. I don't know if a Oneway or a Powermatic has a precision locator for the head stock. I would think so for the money they want for them. I prefer the DVR motor to any of them and I love my Galaxi!!!!!!..Cheers, Jim.
ps. A person could take a piece of hardwood and make a wooden double ended taper too! You can find the dimensions of the Morse tapers on line and cut or sand to the dimensions! If the head stock is loosened, the wooden tool would bring it back in alignment!!
The Galaxi is great economical lathe, much superior to a harbor Freight lathe. Once I turned on a better lathe the difference was evident (more power, better built). I wasn’t unhappy with the Nova, although I sold it to a friend of mine and a year later the electronics went out on it. Any load would shut it done. He purchased all new electronic but that did work either. After a lot of calls from both of us and some emails we finally got them to respond. Frustrating. I sent them a video via UA-cam and it took them a month to even look at it. Guess they didn’t know UA-cam keeps count on views. Finally, we sent the electronics back (the new one was still under warranty) and low and behold it was bad. Works now but it was frustrating for my bud. I solve my problem, I bought a Robust. Thanks for watching and commenting on my video. Harold Mills aka CaptData
@@haroldsworld I was a beta tester for the new Galaxi before it came out and I did a review of it that is on You Tube. There were three areas of concern and I believer they only fixed one (The wrong hand screw was in the tailstock from the factory). They sent me new parts for the tailstock, but I had to reverse the pin in it because the graduations on the new one would have been on the bottom if I installed it like that. The other two ( The indexing marks are hard to see through that little round glass port....and the touch switches instead of a regular off/on switch in one place) they did not address as I can see. I did another video on the switches not working and they asked me to take it off You Tube and sent me a whole new front panel with all the switches in it. What happened is that the seal around the top of that control panel comes away from the plastic cover and dust drops down in those touch switches. Blowing it out fixed it and I had to put tape across the top to prevent further problems.
I talked to one of their Chinese designers about making it one off on switch and I was going to convert mine with a center off momentary contact switch but I could not get to the two contacts for the OFF part of those touch switches.They were buried in a circuit board that I did not want to take a chance ruining. The designer said it would take a whole lot of electronic designing to get around the present switches. Overall I'm happy with the lathe for it's power, 16" swing and 44" C to C range................Cheers, Jim
I have to do same process on my Harbor Freight lathe. I use the two point method.
thanks for the great information. Nova should pay you for the video
I just ran into the same problem with my Galaxi. However I tend to rotate my headstock out for easier access for the interior of bowls. Rather than aligning the head to the tailstock. I loosened the nuts under the tailstock and this allowed me to align it to the headstock. Once it was accurate, I tightened the nuts up and problem solved.
I though the same thing when I first discovered it. I even went so far as to remove the tailstock, but it dawned on me. The tailstock is the only thing fixed on the Nova. It should always be at the same location when locked down. It is not designed to swivel like the headstock. If you can adjust it, I would be worried. You also move your tailstock much more than your headstock. Which means every time you moved your tailstock you would need to align it. I am also not a fan of getting a wrench out when the lockdown lever will do the same thing. But whatever works for you, this is just the way I do it. Thanks for watching my video.
@@haroldsworld I agree with you. the tailstock should stay fixed and the headstock aligned to it. I have not taken the head stock off to see how much play is in that position pin, but it has some. I took the head off a Harbor Freight lathe and it has a ton of movement when it is in the standard or rotated position. I had to align that one almost every time I used it.............Cheers, Jim
Thank you for posting this.
Hi from Australia, I have just picked up my Nova Galaxi DVR. This is great to see this video on the alignment, will be one of the first tools I need to get. Was thinking about the centre alignment and wondering what was the easiest way to do it.
Gday mate, thanks for the comment, glad I could be of help. You will love the Nova DVR, I do. It has some small quirks but for the price it is a bargain. I have mine wired for 110 but I think it might be better wired for 220. I have noticed on large heavy pieces it labors a little. 220 might help. Their tool rest is not that great but I have upgraded to the Robust rests and am very happy. Nova has a module set but it moves, I would not recommend and I have a couple. Happy Turning Mate.
@@haroldsworld Hi, in Australia it is 240v, so all ok on the power side. Thanks for the toolrest idea's, happy turning coming up hopefully. Thanks again cheers from Australia
I own a Nova 16/24. Had my time over I should have spent the extra money and bought Vicmarc.
Do you still have this lathe? I am looking to upgrade to a full size lathe and wondering if this one is for me? awesome tip also. Did you have to get that tool from Nova directly?
I sold my Nova to a friend a couple of years ago. The variable speed and brake was pretty cool. I loved it but it didn’t have the power that the high end lathes (robust, Powermatic, VicMarc) have. Once I turned on a Powermatic at Arrowmont I was hooked on the bigger lathe power. I can swing 25 inches on my lathe. He had it for a while and the electronics crapped out. He replaced them but Nova’s support was weak at best in America. He still uses it and its about 7 years old. For that price point I would also look at Laguna. I solved my problem by purchasing a Robust American Beauty. American made. It doesn’t swivel so nothing to get out of alignment. Thank you for viewing my video.
That isn’t bad. You should have a harbor freight lathe. I have to check my lathe every time I turn. Got it so tight that I am afraid I am going to break something.
I just set up my Galaxi which is replacing a 1624 that I've had for 5-6 years. The old one had the same issue as yours and every time I wanted to turn between centers, I brought the tail stock up to a drive spur and usually had to tweak the head stock a bit to get them aligned. There was also a very small difference in the height, which as far as I can tell, cannot be changed without milling the bottom of the head stock (highly unlikely). The new Galaxi seems to have the same two issues. There is enough play with the locking pin in that the head stock will never return to zero without this test. Still, it's heavier and more powerful than the old one, and the DVR is awesome. Larry
I loved my Galaxi, for the price not sure you can beat it. The variable speed is worth the admission. I turned on mine for a few years and was very happy until I took a class at Arrowmont last Oct. Was able to tryout Vickmac, Powermatics and Robust lathes. I own a Robust now. Pricy but I am retired and turn more now. Sold my Galaxi to a good friend up mine, which should tell you what I think of the Nova. Excellent product, although I did laugh when I ask the lady at Nova how often you needed to center it, “only when you need too”. LOL You just have to understand the quirks. New tools are cool. Thanks for the comment and Happy Turning.
Harold
Your video is very good but you should know that lathe alignment should be checked often, especially if you are turning larger out of round stock. Getting a sever catch or if you have a swiveling headstock that allows you turn larger bowls you should do an alignment every time you swivel the headstock. Center alignment is critical to getting the best performance from any lathe.
It’s really not so critical if you are tuning bowls. It only matter when you bring up the tail stock and even then the minor misalignment doesn’t have much effect on a bowl. Most of the time you are going to turn away the center, but if you are going to use the tail stock to align the piece up, such as a pepper mill then centering the two is a must. With that said, I did a check every time I loosened the head stock. Good practice to get into on a lathe that swivel. I took the swivel head variable out of the equation; I purchased a Robust Lathe. Thanks for the comment, Happy turning.
Thanks CaptData. This is great tip. I have a Nova 1624-44 and am noticing the very same problem you are describing. I am able to use two points to true up the head stock but would like to acquire the "Accura Alingment Pin". Can you tell me where one can be purchased? Enjoy your videos.
Rockler has them Nova Acruline 2MT Alignment System
I have same problem , but their website doesn’t show this is available ? The tail stock also slides if not beat down a time or two .. biggest problem is the headstock wobbles? Any advise . I was missing some tool so I bought the Knock out bar , but that won’t fit in the headstock to lock down: any advise is appreciated
The only problem with that procedure is once you back out the tail stock, and if it has any play between the bedways, then you're back to square one.
That’s true Robert, as I pointed out in the video, I started by looking at the tail stock and quickly decided if it is bad or has play you, need to talk to the manufacture and/or replace something. When you lock down the tail stock it should go back to the same spot every time. Otherwise, you will never get it centered up. I move my tail stock all the time. So, I did some tests to see. I put pointed center on the head stock and tail stock and aligned it. Which is really how I ended up aligning it most of the time. I then loosed the tail stock and re tightened it. Even slid it on the ways. I did not see much noticeable misalignment. Thanks for watching my video. I hope this helps.
Thanks, VERY Helpful!
Sir, I'm in FL too and am looking at buying a larger lathe(have a delta 460). Would you recommend the Nova Galaxi or a different one? Thank you for your great videos, they are easy going, insightful and I recommend them to my wood turning friends.
It all depends on you budget, unlimited I might go Robust, Powermatic or Oneway. The are more powerful than the Nova, but you pay for it. Power is another consideration. I am running on 110, not as good as a 220 but I don’t have an outlet for the lathe at the moment. I have owned two Nova larger lathes and was happy with both. The DVR Galaxi does every thing that I want to do at the moment. I consider myself a mid- level turner. So far I have found nothing that I can’t turn. It is stable (very heavy even without weights) I love the fact that you can adjust the speeds with just a twist is awesome. The break feature is cool and the swivel head stock is handy for turning bowls. Of course, the price you pay for a swivel head is have to align it back up. I got it for 2k on sale as I just didn't have the 7K Robust wanted for theirs. It does have it quarks and on heavy items it not as stable as the big boys. But all in all I would recommend it.
Thank you for your comment.
Great tip.Thanks for passing it along
Thanks for the video. I would have liked if you would have put the centers in to prove your "point"... LOL.
CaptData, I notice your pressure pot in the back ground of your NOVA alinement tutorial. Looks like a stock pot, if so what are you using to provide the vacuum for the pot? I have been looking at videos on UA-cam for ideas and your unit looks very simple and easy to set & put together!!! Would love to hear from you Rg, Sam
I got it on Amazon for about a $100 bucks. I started to make my own but once I did a cost benefit analysis it was way cheaper to buy. I must admit building your own is fun, but I didn't in this case. I have even seen some with the vacuum pump included for 170. So with that said, I am not sure vacuum is the way to go. It works, but you get bubbles on the edges and you have to cycle it a few times. It is great if you are trying to saturate something like a piece of spalted wood. I have been pondering positive pressure. The pot is a little harder to build, but I see them for around $100 bucks too. Most people use a paint pressure pot. You have to modify it a little but doesn't look hard. Hope this help Sam.
@@haroldsworld thank you for the intel Sam
These lathes are great but, they could be better. The fact that they did not grind the slot between the rails on the bed and keep the head stock and tail stock closer toleranced to the center of the bed rails. Or, like you said that every time you move the head stock out of alignment or more often. Use the alignment tool. This is a down side of Nova's communication.
This will work if the center is off left to right in the horizontal direction. However if the centers are off ijn the vertical direction, it will not. Also, each time you loosen the tail stock it can be off a bit.
If you have a problem in the vertical direction it can only be fixed by some machine work on the bed or you need a new lathe. So you only need to be concerned with the horizontal direction. Loosening the tail stock is usually not the issue. All lathed do that and will return to center. You really can’t turn without doing that. I move my tail stock a lot when working on a piece. Now the headstock is a different story, because this one rotates, you should check it every time you loosen it. Which is why I went to a lathe without a rotating head. Thank you for watching.
my point is that Nova could be a bit more careful in what they produce or have produced in China. The alignment issue is one that could have been avoided if they had the slot between the bed rails precision ground so that the head stock and tail stock could not get out of line. Even if you use their tool and align the head stock and tail stock, and then loosen the tail stock and slide it away from the head stock, the next time you bring it back to the head stock it may be out of line as there is quite a bit of play between the bed rails and nothing to keep it true. Don't get me wrong. I really like my Nova Galaxy with the way the speed is controlled and the drive system works but, there are definitely some areas that I feel Nova has dropped the ball.
Thanks bro almost had my shaft remilled
I have noticed the same on my Galaxi
That shouldn't be an after market item. That should be included with every lathe.
HA! That's nothing. My Harbor Freight lathe never gets that close even. And changes everyday, by a lot. Fortunately I am a bowl turner and do almost no spindle work.
I need a job lathe
Jet make a nice portable lathe for simple tuning and the Nova comet is not bad either. Thanks for watching
NEVER A PROBLEM WITH MY ONEWAY LATHE NOVA DOES NOT MAKE SIMPLE TO USE LATHE
Damn. Why don't you cry.