Poolewood POLARIS DVSL Lathe

The latest version of the new Poolewood Polaris DVSL lathe had a successful product launch at the 2005 Alexander Palace Woodworking show. Its robust features and heavy gauge fabricated bed and stand (Stand Optional) projected this lathe well ahead of the competition. The Polaris DVSL is available either for bench mounting or fitted with its own robust stand. The 1.5hp motor is fitted with an extended spindle having a thread of 33 x 3.5mm running in a heavy duty roller bearing. or 1½in. x 6tpi. The headstock may be freely swivelled and slid to any desired position or orientation on the flat bed. Rapid action cam-locks give a very positive, low effort clamping action for the headstock, cross-slide and tail stock. Both the headstock and tail stock are reamed to accept 2 Morse taper inserts. The standard swing over the bed is 9in. (230mm) enabling timber of a massive 18in. (457mm) diameter to be worked on between centres. With the optional Outboard Turning attachment, bowls and platters extending to over 38in. (965mm) can be accommodated. Poolewood are more than happy to build lathes having non-standard bed lengths and stand heights to meet customers' requirements.

Digital speed control is provided with a dainty controller having the options on the back of the case of either a strong magnetic disc or hinged hook for optimum location when in use. There are only four controls to become familiar with: Start, Stop, Forward/Reverse and speed adjustment. The selected speed is read off from in a bright clear digital display window just above the key pad. The control signals are fed to an inbuilt inverter that delivers excellent torque compensation under heavy load.

This is truly a well engineered lathe which has set the standard of high quality affordable lathes for some considerable time to come.

Specification (Subject to change)
Motor Size 1.5HP Full Variable Speed
0 - 2800 rpm
Spindle Thread 33 x 3.5mm
Swing Over the Bed 9" giving 18" diameter
2MT Head and Tailstock (Hollow Tailstock)
Tool Post 1"
Distance between Centres 38" but can be custom built to suit.
Overall length 55" (with motor overhang 66")
Outboard Turning 38" +
Floor to Spindle 45" But can custom build
Floor to top of bed 36"
Weight Approx 130 Kgs

This new 28 LED magnetic light is ideal for any DIY use where better lighting is required.
The flexible arm is 370mm long and is fixed onto a magnetic base that can be turned on and off allowing the LED light to be securely attached to any steel or cast iron surface
. With 28 LED lights it produces more intense light than a traditional bulb with the added advantage of emitting very little heat. The power cinsuption for LED bulbs is also a fraction of traditional type bulbs.
There is a seperate on / off switch for the LED light and it runs off a 240v 13amp socket and comes complete with a 2m cable.

Ideal for use with a Lathe, Bandsaw, Fretsaw, Drill Press and many other types of machinery

Miss Yvonne Arlott
(Proffesional Woodturner and teacher) Cornwall
Cut and paste the following link to her website http://www.yvonnearlott.com/

Yvonne's Review

The only lathes I’ve had a proper go on apart from the Polaris have been my other lathes, Omega Stubby S750, Axminster M330 old demonstration lathe and my first lathe that’s now broken which was a Mejix. The Polaris outstrips both the Mejix and Axminster M330 lathes, not surprisingly since they aren’t designed as professional lathes, and so I won’t even bother trying to compare it to these. So my opinion on the Polaris is in comparison to my Omega Stubby lathe which cost over a £1000 more to buy in the first place.

Firstly I love the electronic speed control and direct drive since you have so much more control over the speed than with the stubby. I found a couple of things I’ve turned actually seemed to turn smoother on the Polaris and I think it was just because of the extra control you have over the motor.

The magnet on the hand controller is brilliant and makes it a lot easier to put it anywhere without risk of it falling and getting broken. I like the idea of the Digital Speed Read-out as well, since I think it is easier for beginners and complete novices to turning.

The tailstock and rest were really comfortable to use with large levers that lock down very well and the lathe bed seems nice and sturdy.

Mounting the chuck or faceplate was really easy with a rod dropping into the headstock to hold the spindle still whilst they are wound and locked on.

There was a minor problem with the lathe when it turned up, which was two wires were connected up wrongly, but it was easily fixed and the customer service is excellent. In fact there was another electrical fault, which I have informed the manufacturer about and which I assume will be fixed on future machines.

I am very critical and the following things were the only drawbacks I could find.

When you put the rod in the headstock to hold the spindle still while you wind the faceplate or chuck on there isn’t any safety device to stop you accidentally starting the lathe with the bar left in, whereas the Stubby has various safety cut outs.

I would have preferred larger start and stop buttons on the hand controller since I do start and stop the lathe frequently when I’m doing my thin bowls and lacework bowls. Also I found you have to be very definite when you hit the buttons compared with the Stubby which can be very irritating.

When I tried turning a large log of Cherry wood I couldn’t stop the motor but the lathe did start resonating when I applied the chisel, so I had to reduce the speed. In fact in most circumstances I couldn’t get the speed as high as when I use the Stubby, due to the same resonating motion occurring. At the moment the lathe isn’t bolted down, which may contribute slightly to this effect. Also the stand on my Stubby is a very sturdy home-made one and I’m pretty sure if I put the Polaris on a sturdier stand it would help improve it’s stability, though I’ve yet to try it.

I’m still trying the lathe out but so far I would say that it’s a very good lathe for the money. The main area that lets it down, understandably, is its stability compared to the considerably more expensive Stubby, which is basically a large chunk of cast iron that’s been bolted down well. I also find its lack of a built in indexing ring a problem for the type of work I do. Even so I’m pretty sure I could turn anything I turn on the Stubby on the Polaris and achieve the same results, albeit in a slightly longer time, due to the need for slower speeds.

From what I have seen so far, obviously I have no long term experience with the Polaris, the DVSL Polaris seems a useful lathe for both the general public and professional turner requiring a good all round, inexpensive lathe.

08 March 2005 Mr D Thomas Brentwood
08 March 2005 Mr J Stinson London
09 March 2005 Gleeson Woodturning Supplies Ireland
11 March 2005 Mr J Miller - Spain
12 March 2005 Mr Ray Taylor Eccles - Kent
14 March 2005 Mr W Eldridge Petworth Sussex
15 March 2005 Mr Davis Western Super-Mare
17 March 2005 Mr Roffe Billingshurst Sussex
30 March 2005 Mr Tony Twine Billingshurst Sussex
19 March 2005 Mr John Smith Coatbridge, Glasgow
22 March 2005 Mr Peter Pownall Wood Design
05 May 2005 Miss Yvonne Arlott
(Proffesional Woodturner and teacher) Cornwall
Cut and paste the following link to her website http://www.yvonnearlott.com/
12 May 2005 Mr A Ant Devon
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17 July 2006 Mrs Stanford Whitby N. Yorkshire (Long Bed)
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