bowl lathe in small space

My observations on drying-

steve antonucci

>Can't say a word on Vicmarc's, but I've done all of the things you asked about for drying. Here's what I have noticed in my shop in NJ:

1.) When I cut fresh wood, I Anchorseal everything. There are people that will argue end grain only, but I cover everything. This will include bowl, inside and out. I have still had some bowls crack doing this (mostly crotches with wild grain), but it works pretty well. Takes a few months, which I don't bother weighing, recording dates, etc... I just pick em up and turn them when I think enough time has passed.

2.) Alcohol drying works. Dave Smith's scientific protocol is probably fool proof, but I'm too damn lazy to do all of the steps. I soak the bowls for as long as I remember, wrap them as best as I can, and throw them on the wire rack above my lathe. Haven't lost a bowl yet, even though I had two with pith still in slightly split. This will cut drying time to about 2 weeks in my shop.

3.) Wet shavings is something I used to use for large roughouts. I took a 110# Oak log to a 22", 8# bowl over the course of three days. At the end of each session, I placed the bowl on the floor and buried it in it's own shavings (of which there were plenty!) to keep it from splitting overnight. Anchorsealed as usual when the roughout was done...

Other people may do other things, better or worse. This is what I've done, and it works for me. If a bowl fits in my alcohol bath, that's where it's going.

Steve

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Guy

>How about the Nova 3000? Doesn't take up too much space, easily expandable for length and horsepower. The swivel head makes it very user friendly and the base model is very affordable. I had one for a long time but I ended up with a big Vicmarc. The Vic is an awesome lathe and I haven't heard anything bad about the 175, just be careful who you buy it from. Check the Vicmarc Owners Group and people speak well about their 175s. For the money though I would go with the Nova. Just my opinion, Guy

Re: bowl lathe in small space

DWFII

>Guy,

How do I find the Vicmarc owners group?

And why would buying a 175 from one outfit or another matter? I don't know...sounds like I need to know.

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: bowl lathe in small space

vicmarc.fan

>Craft Supplies buys the bed from Vicmarc and adds the base, another motor and controller. They say to keep costs down because the lathe is made in Australia and freight half way around the world is high. You live not too far from a supplier who sells the whole Vicmarc made in Australia. I will not add to the confusion about which set up is best but know the two have some differences.

www.sdwoodturning.com

www.woodturnerscatalog.com

The first one sells the whole machine. The second sells a made up version.

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Barry N. Turner

>I've always said, "If someone would only make a Jet mini times three!" That's with a 30" swing, 42" in length and with at least 1 1/2 HP!

Re: My observations on drying-

Wally Lloyd, Iquitos, Peru

>We have found here that after rough turning a bowl or vase we boil them for a couple of hours, leave them in the water until cold. we then dry them in the sun for 3 or 4 days, so far none have cracked!!!!

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Glenn Madsen in the SF Bay area

>"I've always said, "If someone would only make a Jet mini times three!" That's with a 30" swing, 42" in length and with at least 1 1/2 HP!"

And sells for under $1000?

As long as you're wishing...

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Guy

>Go to Yahoo Groups to look for the Vicmarc Owners Group. As far as who you buy it from the other gentleman is correct. Craft Supplies buys the top and adds their own base, people have differing opinions about Craft Supplies service especially after the sale. Other sellers sell pure Vicmarc and I'm sure mileage varies on customer service. Before you buy get references. Good luck, Guy

Re: bowl lathe in small space

DWFII

>Actually Jet mini times two would be fine, as far as I'm concerned.

I made a mistake in my original post when I idnetified the Vicmarc that I was looking at as the 175. It's actually the 200 shortbed I was interested in (I don't know what made me think it was a 175).

The 200 has 16 inch swing and 16 inch between centers with a 1.5 Hp motor...not quite Jet mini times two...less in swing and footprint but more in horsepower. Still, I'm thinking this would be a terrific bowl lathe and the shortbed would allow you to face the inside of the bowl if you wanted to.

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Les Robison

>I have the Vic 200 long bed and boght it from Craft Supply. Craft Supply has stood by its product through several problems I had in the initial installation. I have no complaints with their service and follow up. As far as the non Vic base, I find the one that CS uses to be more than satisfactory. Is is heavy and solid. I have no movement problems witht the lathe.

I do wish, however, that I had gotten the short bed version. I only turn bowls and vessels and sometimes find the longer bed to be in the way. My 2 cents.

Les

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Charles Bjorgen

>Here's a photo of my Crafts Supplies VL200 shortbed in my very small shop which is still dominated by a table saw. The footprint on the stand is 36 by 22 inches. I might have preferred the longbed model if I'd had more room but space dictated the shortbed model. Now, I'm very happy with this lathe which has never shown any problems. You're correct that you can hollow bowls by standing near the end of the lathe. In fact, my turning buddy, who owns the VL300 with an extension, wants to get one like mine for that very reason.

I bought this lathe three years ago. Prices have gone up since then.

Re: bowl lathe in small space

DWFII

>Les,

Did you get the variable speed motor or the change-a-belt set up?

Does Vicmarc make an outboard tool rest for the 200?

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: bowl lathe in small space

DWFII

>Charles,

Dern...that's what I'm talkin' about!! I have lathe envy for sure now!

Thanks for posting the pic...I see you have the CSUSA stand on it. It looks like it is sturdy and well made.

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Mark Kauder. Phenix City, AL

>DWFII,

You mention the Vega, but discount it because you do some some spindle work. Then start talking about a short bed a lathe with only 20" between centers (Vic shortbed)and a 1.5hp motor for $3500+.

The Vega has a 2HP VS motor and 17" between centers for $2500 (list). For longer spindles, I have a Jet Mini with bed extension for under $300 that I keep under a bench until needed.

Mark

Re: bowl lathe in small space

DWFII

>Mark,

Actually I mis-spoke(?). I said I was looking at the Vicmarc 175 when it was actually the 200 shortbed that interested me. It has 16" between centers. The spindle turning that I do is generally from 3-8". I make some awl handles that are reproductions of a 17thand 18th century design found in a dump outside of Jamestown Virginia. And I like to do peper and salt mills, candlesticks etc. But it's all as a hobby for me.

I thought your article about the Vega was very interesting and I liked the looks of the Vega well enough. And the price was good. But the tailstock, if I understand correctly, is not movable and the closest you can come is six inches. Not fatal but not so very convenient for me.

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Les Robison

>Yes, I have the variable speed and the 1 1/2 HP motor.

I have not tried to turn outboard yet. However, I have a VERY heavy stand with a tool rest for that purpose. If you want to turn outboard you meed to remove the handwheel. This is not a big deal, only one set screw. Also, it is not recommended to exceed a 20" diameter blank. Use a little descretion on how heavy the wood is and how out of round when turning outboard.

Hope this helps and be safe,

Les

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Barry N. Turner

>I think they could do it if they really tried..........

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Terry Merrifield

>I also have the Vega 2400, I make a lot of salt and pepper mills with it. I agree that you probably couldn't make the awl in the picture, but the Vega is so good for bowls. I kept my old lathe (Delta), and use it for small spindle turnings. I also live in Oregon.

Re: bowl lathe in small space

DWFII

>Terry,

Where are you in Oregon?

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Mark Kauder. Phenix City, AL

>DWFII

Just to let you know the current production of Vega 2400 are adding 2" of additional tailstock spindle (closer to the headstock), and the addition of a $50 Best Woodtools spindle extender on the headstock spindle would eliminate all of that.

I am just looking at the price differential.

Mark

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Terry Merrifield

>I live in Hillsboro, I get over to Central Or quite often with my job.

Re: bowl lathe in small space

DWFII

>Terry,

Look me up when you get over here...I'm in the phone book--D.W. Frommer II, in Redmond. You won't find anything to impress you--I'm a hobby turner (and a relative novice) with a Jet mini, but I'd like to meet other turners.

DW

In the High Desert of Central Oregon

Re: bowl lathe in small space

Terry Merrifield

>I am going to be in Redmond Thursday morning, but won't have a lot of extra time. I'll be in the Fred Meyer Bakery from 8-10 am, than move down to Bend. I have to do my real job.

Terry