21st Century Lathe

[454bore]

Looking to upgrade my 21st Century Neck Turning tool with the addition of the Lathe option.

Debating between the Lathe option that utilizes a separate hand held driver to power it versus their full blown powered unit. The investment for the full power version is pricey though at $499.

Does anyone have experience with either option and what did you think about the option you went with?

 

[big john 5394]

If it is a long term investment i would say buy once cry once.

 

[Sniper338]

I sold my non powered unit a while back. Still plan to get the powered unit. Just haven't been back into reloading yet. Life's too crazy. Def buy once cry once.

 

[jepp2]

I don't have the powered unit. So I don't know the advantages it offers. I do have 4 of the lathes and that allows me to leave them setup unmolested for how I wish to use them. 1 is a 223 case length trimmer (and it takes a different setup for the powered unit), the other 3 are ready to turn my most frequently turned case necks.

If I was only trimming 1 caliber to the same neck thickness, I might consider the powered unit. But it seems like an unnecessary option to me. I just leave my Dewalt cordless drill attached when I am trimming. I do mount my lathes to a 3 x 8 x 3/4" aluminum billet. Makes a nice looking unit and I just clamp it in my vise when turning.

 

[rardoin]

The powered option is great.

 

[chromatica]

I use my buddy's drill powered unit. It works fine for me. We have several cutter housings - one for 20 degree shoulders and another for 30 degree shoulders.

 

[Whisky Tahoe Foxtrot]

I have pondered the powered lathe upgrade from 21st Century for awhile and while watching someone who has one, it became clear where it is slightly superior to the standard lathe with a hex drive bit to be powered by a user supplied power tool.

The 21st century powered lathe system has a switch on the end of the control arm.
+ Easy to use but not essential

The control arm allows turning while moving into the cutting head and while pulling away.
++ If there is enough resistance while pulling away, the user supplied driver will pull off of the hex bit on the lathe where as the powered unit has the ability to smoothly move in and move out. This improves the operation as it should for the additional coin.

While I am a believer after watching how much easier it is to turn cases with the powered lathe,
I agree that not everyone will need to upgrade.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

I don't think the power source matters all that much. I have their fancy powered lathe setup, and it's nice, but it's ultimately just a motor attached to their existing lathe.

It's really convenience because it's a compact motor, and you don't have to mess with hanging a drill off the end of it, and it's wall powered.

If I were to do it all over again, I'd probably save the money for the powered setup...that or just 'buy once cry once' with the IDOD.

 

[454bore]

Thanks for all the input...............

 

[gman47564]

i have their lath and use a cordless old milwaukee 2 speed screwdriver... works well for me... i can turn 50 or so cases before i have to recharge the battery... the handel folds in the middle and you can hold it like a pistol grip... i cant see spending the extra money for the powered lath but im sure it is nice,,