VB36 users

Re: VB36 users *LINK*

TDaniel

>Gil, I have been turning on a VB-36 for 4 years now and on a home-made bowl lathe prior to getting my first VB. The VB is fantastic without the tailstock if you primarily turn bowls and moderate hollow forms and can do a lot of things others may tell you require a tailstock; such as natural edge bowls. I have turned blanks to 700 lbs without a tailstock and could go much larger than that. See for examples. The big advantage with a bowl lathe ( or an outboard rig ) is the ability to use your legs and body instead of your arms to make curves. Nice curves just flow when you can make them with your knees and hips. Also, the ability to put your entire weight behind the gouge allows for some pretty thick curls. I have no problem stalling my 3 hp lathe with a 7/8" gouge on some woods. As far as the optional tailstock I would suggest that you take that money and put it into a standard lathe. It is like having a tablesaw and a sliding compound; each has its place.


http://www.thebowlmaker.com

Re: VB36 users

gil in San Diego

>thanks Terry. That's just about the type of answer I was looking for.

Re: VB36 users

James Brooks

>I have been turning on the VB36 for 2 years now and have not regreted it for a minute. Terry pretty much explained anything that I might add. I have turned bowls weighing several hundred pounds and out of balance and out of round without any problem not having a tailstock. It is truly a smooth machine and a joy to work on without a lot of vibration or flexing of the tool rest.

James/Terry

gil in San Diego

>Well then, is the tailstock really a luxury as the ad states, or just something that gets in the way? I have only been turning for less that a year and never used any lathe other than my Jet-1442. It just seems to me (without any experience with large pieces) that if a tailstock prevents launching a several hundred pound projectile once every five years or so, it could be a luxury a shop saver and a lifesaver all in one. Do I need to learn proper mounting techniques before considering such a purchase or does the evs motor make things a lot safer?

For those who have a VB36 *AND* a tailstock...

Peter Teubel

>Sorry to barge in on the thread, but I was wondering how long it takes to attach/remove the tailstock assembly from the VB36.

Re: James/Terry

TDaniel

>Gil, the tailstock allows the lathe to be used like a standard lathe for those who feel they need it. There is also available a small flip up tailstock to be used to orientate grain. My preference is to have a good conventional lathe for the times I need to orientate grain and for spindles and have my bowl lathe available for faceplate work. The tailstock is for those who don't have room in their shop for 2 lathes. It can be put on and taken off but everyone who has tried this says it is a pain. The little tailstock is a compromise. In my opinion, the VB is the best bowl lathe in the world but with a tailstock it becomes just another big lathe.

yes you are barging in

gil in San Diego

>...but go right ahead since I would like to know the answer also.