Looking for a lathe comparison

Re: Looking for a lathe comparison

TDaniel

>Wolf, our club lathe is the PM3520. For the money it is hard to beat and since the Taiwan currency is tied to the dollar (I think) the PM is the least expensive heavy lathe available. On the other hand, the Vic VL300 is a superb lathe. I have been using the VL300 for a year and a half now and it is a well designed and built lathe; however, you mentioned the Vic and Woodfast from Craft Supplies. These lathes from CS are not the same lathe as from other sources. There is a tremendous difference in the cabinet, the motor and controller, the motor mounting mechanics, The toolrest post diameter, etc. Unfortunately, the dollar is really low against the Australian currency so the VL300 with the full Australian cabinet is really high at the moment. If you can wait until the dollar regains some value I would say that it would be worth the difference in price but if you were buyine today I would say go with the PM.

Re: Looking for a lathe comparison

Bob Hackett

>The PM has a sliding headstock which allows it to be used as either a bowl lathe or a shortbed depending on where you put the headstock.My brother bought the bed extention and it can be mounted low on the legs and will make a bowl lathe with 36"+ of swing with little work.Things to keep in mind if you are looking for versatility in a machine.

Mainely,Bob

Re: Looking for a lathe comparison

George Van

>Hi Bob,

Do you have a picture of the 3520 with the bed extension mounted to the legs you could post? I told a fellow that has a PM about this design at the last club meeting. I had seen one of your previous post when I was searching for information on the PM.

Thanks, George

You mentioned some things

Wolf Kiessling

>that I never considered, or even thought about, Terry. I am not ready to buy the lathe right now, don't have all the money together yet, so if the VL300 is going to be my choice, waiting for a better monetary situation is no problem.

Possibly more important, you mention that the Woodfast and Vicmarc from Craft Supplies are not the same as from other sources. I certainly did not know that. Should I be looking at other sources? Do you have any recommendations? I don't even have knowledge of other sources. Also, since the lathes seem to differ from place to place, what, in your opinion, is the best place to purchase?

Thanks for your input, Terry

Wolf

Re: Looking for a lathe comparison

Wolf Kiessling

>Bob, is that set-up anything like the Stubby?

Wolf

Re: You mentioned some things

TDaniel

>Wolf, I sell Vicmarc lathes as well as VB's. I do not say they are good lathes because I sell them, I sell them because I think they are great lathes. You should buy from the closest source to you that offers service. I am not one who neglects service back-up for a slightly cheaper price from someone who will not give service. Give me your location and I will refer you to a source. Basically, anywhere you buy the lathe other than CS will get you the same lathe. CS is the only one who does not sell the complete lathe from Vicmarc and the quality of the components that CS uses to get the price lower is not nearly equivalent to the factory components. If you need more info on this I will submit some owner references to you by email.

TD

Powermatic mods

Bob Hackett

>Knowing that your turning interests tend toward the sculptural I thought I`d make you aware of some of the mods my brother Bill has done to his lathe.He researched quite afew machines before he settled on the PM.

He felt the best thing about the Oneway was the drive and the ridgidity.What he didn`t like was the fact that in order to turn large pieces you had to invest in the outboard attachments.The PM`s sliding headstock allowed him to move the headstock to anywhere along the length of the ways and tailor the length of the lathe to the piece being worked.With the bed extention in the normal position it lets him turn extra long spindles.With it in the lower position it allows the lathe to be used as a bowl lathe with a much larger swing than normal(he uses an extention in the banjo to bring the toolrest up).Knowing Bill he`s probably already made an extention for the tailstock too.

Bill felt that the cost difference between the PM and the Oneway was not justified for him,I`m sure others feel differently.He has turned on just about every lathe out there while demonstrating at different places.He told me the only lathe he`s seen that offered more versatility was the Stubby,he just couldn`t bring himself to part with the $6000+ dollars for one set up the way he wanted.

Bill regularly turns large burls and other flanged pieces.He also turns alot of multi axis work.He installed a shelf between the cast iron legs and stacks bags of crushed limestone on the shelf for ballast(it`s the geologist coming out in him).So far he hasn`t found the machine lacking in either power or ridgidity.Not bad for a lathe w/VFD that can be had for less than $2000 these days.I was very impressed by his machine and could even picture one in my future if I ever get to where I want to retire the Conover that serves as my primary lathe these days.As he told me,anything Rude had his hand in is bound to be worth a long hard look.

I know there are bigger and more powerful lathes out there but seems to me the PM has the best bang for the buck.BTW-Bill bought his machine before Jet took them over and they started being made offshore,don`t know if that makes any difference.

If anyone needs further info,ping me offline and I`ll put you in touch with Bill I`m sure he has pics of his machine(or can snap afew).

Mainely,Bob

Re: You mentioned some things *LINK*

Russell Seaton

>Here is what I wrote in a message from March 1 abotu Woodfast and Vicmarc lathes. This explains a little of why they look the same from CRaft Supplies USA. The link will show you pictures of the from the factory Woodfast and Vicmarc lathes.

I've briefly used the Vicmarc 300 shortbed lathe and the Powermatic 3520. The Vicmarc is very nice. So is the Powermatic. If you want a traditional lathe, the Vicmarc is hard to beat. But if you want a lathe that will allow more accessibility for bowls and hollow forms, then the sliding headstock on the Powermatic is hard to beat. Yet you can also turn long spindles too. And get an 18" bed extension for $175 and a remote on/off button for about $150. And the Powermatic 3520 is $2050 delivered.

If you want a Vicmarc, call up the San Diego Woodturning Centre. He imports them. And Stubby lathes too.

They have different beds, different headstocks, different tailstocks. They may have similar stands and motors if purchased from Craft Supplies USA in Provo, UT. Craft Supplies imports the basic lathes from Vicmarc and Woodfast and then puts their own stand and motors into them. The factory supplied stands and motors from Woodfast and Vicmarc are very different.

The link below is to an Australian company that sells the Woodfast and Vicmarc lathes as they come from the factory. Note the very different stands. Harbor Freight also sells a Woodfast lathe in the USA with the factory stand. Axminster sells the Woodfast lathes in England.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=43366

http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp Do a search on Woodfast.

http://www.theturnery.com.au/lathes%20index1.html


http://www.theturnery.com.au/lathes%20index1.html

Re: You mentioned some things

MikeinCape May

>You said:

And get an 18" bed extension for $175 and a remote on/off button for about $150. And the Powermatic 3520 is $2050 delivered.

Could you please tell from whom?

Thanks!

I'll second the Turnery...

BubbaBob

>...as a great place to do bidness on Vicmarc. David Tulloch owns the place, and you won't find a more pleasant, easy to do bidness with person than David.

BubbaBob

ToolNut

Russell Seaton

>Do a search on John Lucas in the archives here. Include the words Powermatic or 3520 or something. He bought the 3520 from ToolNut for $2050. Mentioned in a few threads in the past month or two. He also said he bought the extension for $175 from them. A more recent thread. And I have seen the remote On/Off button priced at Osolnik Machinery and Southern Tools (something like that, the name should come up if you do a search on Powermatic 3520 in these archives. All recent threads.)

Re: ToolNut

Russell Seaton

>http://www.southern-tool.com/store/powermatic_20_lathe.html

$75 for the remote On/Off button and $212 for the 18" bed extension from Southern-Tool. All free delivery. $850 for the 4 foot bed extension. $2350 for the lathe itself.

Osolnik Machinery has most or all of the Powermatic lathe accessories listed on their webstie with prices. But they don't have good prices on the 3520 anymore.

http://www.osolnikmachinery.com/

Re: I'll second the Turnery...

Wolf Kiessling

>I pulled up that "The Turnery" link that Russell submitted, Bubba Bob, and it is in Australia. Is that the one you also are referring to?

Wolf

Wolf, yep...

BubbaBob

>...and David is a great guy to do bidness with. Good pricing, will take time to discuss needs, not just take orders and make a sale. Really great to bidness with. From order to in your hand in US is about 8-10 days.

BubbaBob