Laguna Revo 1524 Deep Dive Examination

The Laguna Revo 15|24 is a new lathe with a 1.5 HP motor, capable of turning a 15" bowl or a 25" spindle. The Revo 15|24 is a full size economy lathe that weighs in at 288 pounds without any accessories. That is a good weight for bowl turning, as it can keep things stabilized as you are turning a bowl blank that isn't completely round yet. If you are thinking of upgrading to a lathe that is capable of turning large bowls, this might be a good option. Wood lathes can be expensive, but you can turn bowls on a budget. If you want an economical bowl turning lathe, the Laguna Revo 1524 is a good option. Be warned; bowl turning is highly addictive!
More information about this lathe is available here: lagunatools.com/classic/lathe...

[@nicko5945]

Yet another fantastic review of a Laguna product. Man I wish my 18/36 had some of these features. My centers were never aligned from the factory and frankly were beyond what was reasonable. Took a lot of shimming to correct it. Also even with the riser blocks mine still isn’t tall enough for me. These are major issue for me and it’s so cool to know they have been addressed and fingers crossed, these feature will become standard on all future Laguna lathes. Laguna is very smart to have you reviewing their products. Keep up the great work!

[@ToolMetrix]

Hi NIck, thanks for your feedback. I agree with you about the nice evolution of features, and yeah, hopefully these enhancements will eventually become standard across the product line. It only makes sens that they would be. Sorry to hear that you had that negative experience with your 18|36. That's terrible. Shimming sounds like a pain.

[@Will-dm7nq]

Oh man! I wish they had those legs on the 1836 I got! I have to save up for the risers now. 6'3" and it was not built for me.

[@nicko5945]

William Martin oh I feel ya brother. I’m 6’6” and even with the risers, the 18/36 is way to short. I have mine with risers and on 4x4s.

[@LagunaTools]

Awesome video, Paul!

[@ToolMetrix]

🙏

[@prsearls]

Good review. I'm going to look at one next week. On paper and KZbin, it looks perfect for my present and future needs.

[@ToolMetrix]

Thanks for your feedback Paul. Let me know if you have questions. I no longer have the lathe in my shop but I used it a fair amount while it was here.

[@LaurieMcGinley]

Great review. Thanks for posting it.

[@ToolMetrix]

Thanks, Laurie!

[@debrahutchinson5095]

Great review. Thanks I’ve be thinking about upgrading my lathe.

[@ToolMetrix]

Thanks Debra 🙏

[@davidgraham2673]

Good video. Honest appraisal, which is very important. Thanks.

[@ToolMetrix]

Thanks David. Cheers

[@kraken509]

I’m here for the light!

[@ToolMetrix]

I know, right!?!?! 😍

[@paulgirouard8399]

Thanks for the reply. I will be talking to Laguna again tomorrow. They sent out a new digital readout but I don't think that is the problem. Being that it's only 2 months old, I want it resolved, whatever that takes

[@ToolMetrix]

I completely agree. You buy something new, it’s reasonable to expect it to work. I hope they get this sorted out for you soon.

[@clappercj1]

Thanks for a great review. I just bought a 1524 and I’m curious about the indexing system. How does one tell what index number you are on? I can see the numbers if I open the door but how do I tell which number I inserted the pin into?

[@ToolMetrix]

Thanks Chris. I didn’t play much with the indexing feature so unfortunately I can’t help with that question. Hope you enjoy the new lathe. Cheers, Paul

[@Adamds86]

Was wondering if you have a recommendation for a 4 jaw chuck that would be a good fit for the 15|24 along with reversing capability?

[@ToolMetrix]

Hi Adam, yes I do. The G3 is a great option for the 1524. You will have to get it with the 1.25" x 8TPI insert. I'd suggest getting it as a bundle with several jaw sizes, like this: amzn.to/2XlURq1. It's great to have the options on jaw size, and if you buy separately you will pay more. A cheaper "starter set" that has just the chuck, one set of jaws, and the insert is here: amzn.to/3hREpqX. I just bought another G3 actually, and it's due to arrive any day. When you turn a lot you get tired of swapping out jaws, and you want a chuck for each set of jaws that you use commonly. But you don't have to start out that way. The G3 seems to be one of the most popular chucks on the market, and I have had a great experience with mine.

[@robertcornelius3514]

Is the wheel set strong enough to support another hundred pounds? I like to add a lower shelf with sand bags.

[@ToolMetrix]

Hi Robert, Absolutely. Even 200 pounds shouldn’t be a problem.

[@michaelprusak6188]

great review. have you had any issues with using 3rd party tool rests? I have a new 15/24 and love its features. However, I can't tighten any of my third party tool rests onto the Laguna Banjo. Those posts appear to be 1/64" narrower than the Laguna 1" post. Any suggestions. Again, thanks for a great deep dive

[@ToolMetrix]

Hi Michael, I’ve used Robust rests on all of the Laguna lathes that I’ve had in my shop without any problems at all.

[@michaelprusak6188]

Thanks I'll give them a try

[@bacejuex5478]

Hope it's not too late, but wondering how to fit a vacuum system on the headstock. The 1836 has a treaded end to insert the adapter into. Is this any similar?

[@ToolMetrix]

Hi Bace, I can’t remember if this has the threaded hand wheel. If not, you can just run a tube through the spindle.

[@kreech68]

In the first video, at about 1:40, it looks like the banjo and rest are bouncing around, A LOT. That is much larger than 15" in diameter, so I expect that this is being turned using the bed extension in the lower position, and with the banjo extension. Can you confirm the configuration, and whether or not this is "stable enough" to turn big chunks of wood that are not yet round?

[@ToolMetrix]

Yep that’s probably a 18-20” x 2” deep bowl, turned outboard using the configuration you mentioned. It’s not ideal but you could do it once in a while. You would not want to turn something of that diameter that was much deeper than that, or super out of round. You’d want to step up to a larger lathe for that.

[@lmallard3788]

some of the chucks need an insert to attach it to the spindle and I saw that some of those inserts had additional letters and so I am wondering if I were to buy an insert type chuck, which insert?

[@ToolMetrix]

Look at the specs for the spindle but I believe the 1216 is 1” x 8 TPI and the bigger Laguna lathes all have 1.25” x 8 TPI.

[@parascalemodels]

Great review sir. I have a question regarding the stand. What would the height of the stand be from the floor if you dropped the legs down to floor height. Thanks in advance.

[@ToolMetrix]

The height of the top of the stand if you set it to its lowest setting would be about 25”.

[@parascalemodels]

@@ToolMetrix Thank you sir.

[@Dudenumero2]

Hey Paul, I’m looking for your opinion on if this is the best lathe for the money? I have a small midi lathe that only allows a 9” bowl. I’m looking to make much larger bowls. The 18-36 is unfortunately out of my budget.

[@ToolMetrix]

Hi Brandon, I think that this lathe is a huge upgrade over any midi lathe. I believe it's a good value. I think it's pretty stout for a lathe in this class, and you can do some serious bowl turning with it. That said, I haven't used a lot of lathes in this class, so I don't can't say from my own personal knowledge and experience that it's the best lathe for the money. I feel like the other contenders in this class would likely be Nova Saturn and Jet 1640. The Nova is a very nice lathe, but the Laguna is 40% heavier. The Jet is nice as well, but a bit more expensive. The longer bed on the Jet would be nice if you're in to spindle turning. Another consideration these days is which one you can actually get. The Laguna seems to be selling faster than they can manufacture them, so there might be a bit of a wait. The Jet and Nova appear to be available now.

[@Dudenumero2]

I have already learned so much today through your videos! Just wanted to take the time to thank you! Keep em coming!

[@ToolMetrix]

Thanks Brandon! 🙏

[@paulgirouard8399]

After watching this review, I purchased the 15/24 atvthe end if December 2020. I've had it now for a little over 2 months. I've had a problem since day 1 with the lathe rpm speed varrying once it is set and I start turning. When roughing a large bowl blanks at speeds around 850 rpm, the rpm will drop 300 to 350 rpm and sometimes will not re over unless I turn off the power switch, then turn it back on. Other times the rpms will increase without warning without touching the speed dial making it a very scary dangerous situation. I have contacted laguna about this. They sent out a new control board. I replaced it but it hasnt helped. This is costing me a lot of time when turning in addition, has made using the lathe uncomfortable. Have anyone experienced similar situations?

[@ToolMetrix]

Hi Paul, UGH! That's awful. I didn't have anything like that happen, nor has anyone mentioned to me seeing anything like that. I can't imagine what it could be if the control board didn't resolve it. Maybe it's time for a new headstock. Hopefully someone else will have an idea. You might want to post on the Laguna user group on FaceBook as well. They seem to be responsive there.

[@billmoore3559]

I have the same problem, even with very sharp tools and a light touch. Typically this is with larger / heavier items. Tightening up the belt seems to help a little. I'm no longer under warranty and customer service hasn't been too helpful with suggestions.

[@GeraldJensen]

I would be interested in a deep dive/review of Powermatic's new 2410 lathe.

[@ToolMetrix]

Hi Gerald, I’d love to get my hands on one and do that. I was so intrigued when I heard about it with the VFD and on paper it’s a dream midi. It’ll be interesting to see if they sell many at that price though. But they have the Jet VSR midi as their value play I guess, so they must be going after a niche market where people have lots of money but tight on space.

[@ToolMetrix]

OK, I've made a request to Powermatic to send me a loaner unit. Hopefully they will accommodate this so I can make a video on it. Great suggestion, TheDane. :) Cheers, Paul

[@GeraldJensen]

@@ToolMetrix Hope they follow through and ship you one ... looking forward to your next video!

[@ToolMetrix]

Thank you. So far nothing, but we'll see. I'll also watch for one in the local turning community, and maybe I can at least do a test drive. Would love to check out that VFD.

[@garyknable1155]

Want to see the turn on that 20 inch wow that looks gorgeous

[@ToolMetrix]

Thanks Gary! That was a chunk of Kentucky Coffee Wood. My first time turning it. Beautiful grain, nice clean cut, but it started cracking about 24 hours after turning as it dried. I’ve since learned this this is a common occurrence with that species. Oh well, I will epoxy it up when it’s dry and sand it out.

[@garyknable1155]

@@ToolMetrix Still like to see it looked like another masterpiece even though ya got to epoxy it. Keep on turning!

[@ToolMetrix]

Thanks Gary! I’ve posted a picture of it on Facebook if you’re on there. I’ll put up another one in a few weeks when it’s dry and I finish it up. 🙏

[@brical1176]

Hello..I am really hoping you can help me. I just purchased Laguna 15/24 lathe. I love it but I am noticing that when i turn the spindle handle by hand, it does not spin freely. It moves in incremements you can feel. almost like turning the dial on a safe. There is no clicking noise; it just feels tight. If i try to spin it, it might turn a quarter turn unlike other lagunas I have chaecked at the store. They all spin freely. Im hoping you have some insight into this. I have contacted Laguna and the rep told me it was probably nothing to worry about. At the time of this message, Ive only had the lathe for about three weeks. I hope to hear from you or any others that might have the same issue. Thank you for your time.

[@ToolMetrix]

I noticed that it felt different from my other lathes as well. It felt like it was just dragging a bit. I talked to Laguna about it and they told me that there were some aspects of the drive train that were different from their other lathes and that it was normal. It didn't cause me any problems and the lathe performed like a champ so I accepted it as normal behavior. That said, if you are noticing that yours is different from the ones on the floor at the dealer, it might be worth having someone from the store that you bought it at come and check it out.

[@brical1176]

@@ToolMetrix Thank you so much for the response. It really is a great machine. I just wanted to make sure It wasn't something I would have trouble with down the road. Love the new lathe and I am very happy I discovered your channel.

[@ToolMetrix]

@brical1176 I agree that it is a great lathe and I don’t blame you at all for being concerned and wanting some verification.