I picked up my new Nova DVR XP at my local Rockler (it was on a closeout sale) the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
- They also had the Nova DVR 2024 on clearance sale, but I opted for the XP rationalizing that 16 in. of swing + the outboard capability would be plenty of capacity for me. I also think that the 110/120 volt DVR XP will be more "sellable" than the 220/240 volt DVR 2024 some years down the line when I'm too old and feeble to use it and I go to sell it.
It was new in box.
- Box clearly said "Designed in New Zealand, made in China."
- It came with a "slip-page" addendum to the manual with a 2015 update, so I'm guessing it was manufactured in 2015.
- The box was not super sturdy (compared to some other woodworking tools I've acquired over the years), however there was Styrofoam around the head/motor, under the bed and at the tailstock.
The Rockler guys loaded it into my Honda Pilot and once home I opened the box in the back of the Pilot and disassembled it to reduce weight and transport the major pieces to my basement shop.
- I carried the head/motor, banjo, tailstock, bed, and accessory box to my basement and wiped off the packing grease then reassembled it.
-- No shipping damage. (Whew!
)
- After reassembly I fired it up and it seems to run O.K.
- Initial look on quality of castings seems to be O.K. - I'll be more critical once I build a stand and start seriously using it.
-- I am debating whether to use oak, maple or beech for a custom stand (with drawers, etc.) - wood pricing and availability will dictate which way I go.
I also need to research power conditioners/surge suppressors and decide which to get (I've read some posts where guys have had the power head/motor board go out due to power surges/fluctuations).
It is certainly a step up in size, HP and weight from my Delta 46-460 (up for sale now) which was a fine mid-sized lathe.
- Only time will tell if I just "over-bought" and should have stayed with the mid-size lathe, but boys need their toys.
Once I get the stand built and start seriously using the DVR XP I'll post a review.