Nova Comet II Lathe Review

Nova Comet II Midi Lathe

The NOVA 46303 Comet II Variable Speed Midi Lathe is the most versatile & innovative of the smaller lathes on the market. It's both portable and space saving, yet delivers the capacity and rugged stability of larger machines. Its powerful 3/4 HP electronic variable speed motor offers a wide speed range that goes from 250-4000rpm. The forward and reversing switch offers additional flexibility for a superior finish. It also features a 12" swing capacity over bed and 16.5" between center capacity, expandable to 42" with the optional bed extension accessory.

Woodturning is one of those hobbies that once you give it a spin you never look back. Maybe it has something to do with instant gratification and a touch of pragmatism. Most furniture build projects can take weeks, months, or even years to complete, and the material list can be pricey. A woodturner, on the other hand, can transform a chunk of what would be considered scrap wood into a lovely bowl or platter in as little as an hour. Pen turning is a good example, take a cut-off from your scrap bin and turn yourself a pen that you can be using to write with the very same day. Heck, you can incorporate turning into your furniture by making legs, knobs, pulls or any number of other decorative items. If this sounds like fun, it might be time to take the Nova Comet II for a spin.

With a 3/4 hp dc motor and and 12" of swing, the Comet II has plenty of power and capacity to keep you turning at light speed.

The Nova Comet II Midi Lathe is a big lathe in a small package. It features solid cast iron construction that not only adds strength but also reduces vibration as compared to flimsier machines at this price point. Fortunately, at 77 lbs. it's still compact enough to be portable. And the Comet II offers as much or more 'swing' than the competition. A generous 12" of swing to be exact. That's the maximum diameter that you can turn bowls and platters. You can also turn pieces as long as 16.5" between centers. You can go even longer with the optional bed extension, 42" is the official number.

But the standout feature for us is the Comet II's electric variable speed DC motor. This powerful 3/4 hp motor is pared to 3 pulleys so you can easily adjust the speed of the spindle anywhere between 250 and 4000 rpm. This means you will be sure you can set the lathe at the perfect speed no matter what your project demands. This lathe also allows you to turn in reverse, handy for when you make a mistake and need to put your shavings back… just kidding. Reverse is a great feature that can make sanding and finishing on the lathe safer, easier, and more convenient.

The Comet II's standard list of features is long and possibly more complete than any other lathe available at this price point. It comes standard with a set of vibration damping feet that will keep the lathe steady on your workbench, a spur center, live center, faceplate and a knock-out tool. Get this bad boy home, open the box and you've got all you need to start turning.

The Comet II features an electronic variable speed controller conveniently located on the right front corner of the lathe. This keeps your hands from being sucked into a black hole...or bowl.

A drive center, spur center and knock-out tool come standard with every Comet II lathe.

The G3 reversible Chuck has plenty of clamping power to keep your projects from flying into a galaxy far far away, in both forward and reverse.

The Nova G3 reversible chuck is specifically designed for the Comet II and makes a great addition no matter what type of turning you plan to do. With Nova's reputation as one of the industry's leaders in lathe chuck technology, you can be sure that the G3 is the perfect chuck for the Comet II and will deliver years of flawless service. The G3 chuck will also accept all of the available jaws from Nova, making it a very versatile package

With Nova's Bed Extension for the Comet II you can turn 39" long spindles. Add multiple Bed Extensions and turn to Infinity and beyond!

If you have your heart set on turning spindles for your staircase or baseball bats that are ready for the big leagues, Nova offers a bed extension for the Comet II that allows you to turn spindles up to 42" long.

This clever stand keeps your workbench clear and gives you a galaxy of leg room and height adjustment. You don't have to have it - but it sure is nice.

Nova took the time to design a stand specifically for the Comet II and it's a great addition if you don’t want your lathe taking up space on the workbench. You can set the height of the stand to exactly where it's most comfortable for you. Yeah, no more soar back after a marathon turning session! Also, those clever V-style legs not only provide an incredibly stable platform but they also allow more room under the lathe for optimal body positioning when turning, now that is smart!

The Versaturn Coupler gives you the ability to run multiple attachments with a simple turn of the locking ring. It's easier then setting your phasers from stun to kill.

Sharpen your turning tools in nano seconds with the Comet II's Versaturn Grinding Wheel accessory. An exclusive feature of this great lathe.

We think the most exciting accessory for the Comet II lathe is grinding wheel attachments. With this accessory you can turn your Comet II into a convenient sharpening station. And if you were paying attention earlier you remember that the Comet II is variable speed. So when you attach the grinding wheel accessory to the lathe you now have...a variable speed grinder! This will allow you to sharpen your turning tools at a slow speed so you don’t have to worry about burning them, very cool. You can also do your sharpening right at the lathe, this eliminates the hassle of running all over the shop.

If you're in the market for a lathe that is priced right for the beginner and has the features to keep an expert happy, the Comet II is worth a long look. With a powerful reversible motor, electronic variable speed, cast iron construction and a ton of optional accessories, the Comet II is perfect for any shop.