New lathe....just dreaming

[Anonymous]

Just a bit of dreaming but I have been keeping an eye out on larger lathes. I don't expect to buy one for another year at least.

The two brands I've been thinking about are Wivamac and Vicmarc. As and when possible I hope to see both in action over the next year. Are there others which are worth looking at?

I know the first question is what will I do with it? I've mainly been turning bowls so height above bed is quite important. The same applies to variable speed.

My budget? Well I can't afford a VB36. I suppose 2.5k is my limit but keeping it below 2k is preferable.

I'm sure others are dreaming just like me so the information should be useful to all.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[Mark Hancock]

Of the two you mention I'd go with the Vicmarc. I've used a number of Wivamac lathes at various clubs whilst demonstrating and have found that I can easily stall/slow the motor with heavy cuts. I don't know why this should be. When it first occured I thought it was that particular lathe's set up with the inverter but exactly the same happened very recently with a different lathe :?:
You could also consider the Magma lathes. I'll be demonstrating on these at the Wood Festival at Westonbirt this August with Classic Hand Tools. If you come along you are more than welcome to try it out for yourself.

 

[Bob Chapman]

I have a Vicmarc 175 with swivel head and variable speed. I've fitted a 2HP motor and electronics to replace the original 1HP motor, which was under-powered for the machine. Later models are fitted with 1.5HP as standard.

I wouldn't swap it for any other machine I've seen at the same sort of price. It is a superb piece of engineering and I have no complaints at all about it.

Bob

 

[tigerturnings]

I have a Vicmarc 300 with the 2HP variable speed motor, and have been very impressed with it. I've only given it hobbyist use over 5 years, but I fully expect it'd be just as good for day in, day out professional use. It's a very good quality machine and a pleasure to use.

The one time I needed a spare part was when I let a board fall against the speed control knob which subsequently broke off. Phil Irons, the Vicmarc importer, got the replacement to me quickly and offered guidance over the phone in installing it.

The 300 may be a bit above your budget, but the VL200 models (very similar but with a smaller diameter over the bed) may well be within it. Best check with Phil Irons for the current prices.

No affiliation with Phil or Vicmarc bar as a happy customer.

 

[jurriaan]

In that budget range, perhaps an older cast iron lathe (Wadkin etc) should be considered as well. Adding a VFD for variable speed isn't that much of a hassle, really, and the massive build and weight of an older lathe is good (said the owner of a massive cast iron German lathe).

 

[paulm]

I've had a big Wivamac 1200 with 2hp motor for a number of years now and think it's terrific !

Never had a problem with slowing the motor down, they have three phase motors with an invertor so that you don't lose torque at slow speeds, works great with mine.

I looked at Vicmarc, Oneway and Poolewood also at the time, just didn't like the Poolewoods or what I heard about the company and product quality. The Vicmarcs and Oneways are first class products also but the prices at that time were significantly higher than the Wivamacs for little perceivable benefit. It might be in part that they are shipped half way round the world from Oz and Canada respectively which must add hundreds to the cost.

There were also waiting lists for both as I recall, several months in the case of the Oneway, whereas Peter Helmsley at The Toolpost was able to sort me out a big Wivamac very quickly as they are made in Belgium and he just picks them up in his van and hops across the Channel !

No affiliation, just a happy user.

You're welcome to drop by and give it a spin if you're in the area anytime.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[paulm]

Just another thought, I wonder if Mark's experiences were with the smaller 1hp motor lathes, rather than the 1.5hp or 2hp options that some of the Wivamacs are available with ?

If so then it wouldn't be a like for like comparison with a bigger motored Vicmarc........

Cheers, Paul.

 

[Anonymous]

Cheers for all the info. Gives me plenty to think about and look out for.

Mark, I'll be at Westonbirt on a couple of the days. Would love a look round the Magma lathe.

I like the look of the Vicmarc 300 but I'm not sure I can stretch the budget that far. Maybe my financial situation will have changed by the time I'm ready to order.

I've thought about buying an older machine but when I spend lots of money I do prefer getting new. I'll still keep my eyes open though.

Paul, I'd read before that you have a Wivamac. If I haven't seen one by the time I'm ready to spend some money I'll take you up on the offer.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[Mark Hancock]

Just another thought, I wonder if Mark's experiences were with the smaller 1hp motor lathes, rather than the 1.5hp or 2hp options that some of the Wivamacs are available with ?

I'm afraid I don't remember the moter sizes. Just remember on the one lathe I caught hold of the chuck with both hands and stopped the lathe. At the time I put it down to the set up of the inverter. There can be up to 100 different parameters in these box of tricks and the factory settings aren't always suitable for the end user.

Dave
Look forward to seeing you at Westonbirt.

 

[Paul.J]

How about the Nova DVR lathe.
Saw this lathe at Woodex this year on display.Looked the part.
Any thoughts on this lathe.
Paul.J.

 

[Mark Hancock]

How about the Nova DVR lathe.
Saw this lathe at Woodex this year on display.Looked the part.
Any thoughts on this lathe.
Paul.J.

I've used this lathe a number of times and was very impressed with it. The earlier models had a few problems with the software used but they have all been resolved.
I heard recently that Sorby have lost the UK dealership to Record and that the lathe is going to be manufactured in Asia somewhere. I hope this does not lead to a drop in the quality of the lathe.

 

[Paul.J]

Yes Mark,it looks as though you're right.
Just been looking at the lathe on the Yandles sight,and does say NEW TO RECORD :roll: Another one bites the dust.
Paul.J.

 

[tigerturnings]

How about the Nova DVR lathe....Any thoughts on this lathe.

Let me preface this by saying that these are only my thoughts from an engineering perspective.

I haven't actually tried the DVR but have read quite a bit of praise of it. I am sure it's a competent machine, but personally I wouldn't want a lathe like this because of the tight integration of the inverter, motor and headstock.

Supposing some fault develops with the motor or inverter in my Vicmarc some years down the line, I will be relatively easily able to use off the shelf parts to replace whatever has failed. There's no reliance on contacting/buying from Vicmarc since any electrician competent with industrial drives could do any required works.

However, the DVR would appear to require much more specialised, proprietary and potentially expensive parts should a similar fault occur. Of course, it may be the case that Teknatool/Nova will support the machine well into the future, but this cannot be guaranteed. If it does fail, it would likely give rise to a more expensive and time consuming repair.

 

[CHJ]

However, the DVR would appear to require much more specialised, proprietary and potentially expensive parts should a similar fault occur. Of course, it may be the case that Teknatool/Nova will support the machine well into the future, but this cannot be guaranteed. If it does fail, it would likely give rise to a more expensive and time consuming repair.

I have the same misgivings as Neil about not only the DVR but any other direct drive lathe for that matter that has a custom made motor and electronics package.

They may be more pleasing to the eye and quieter in operation but could be awfully expensive for the hobby user to rectify in the future.

 

[Mark Hancock]

I have the same misgivings as Neil about not only the DVR but any other direct drive lathe for that matter that has a custom made motor and electronics package.

They may be more pleasing to the eye and quieter in operation but could be awfully expensive for the hobby user to rectify in the future.

Chas

This can apply to any lathe, direct drive or pulley driven. On one of my earlier 5 speed lathes I had a problem with the motor. Rather than use the lathe manufacturer I tried to get a replacement off the shelf only to find that it was a non standard motor or rather it was a standard motor that had been modified to suit the lathe manufacturer. Luckly I managed to find a company that could sort out the existing motor for £20.

 

[Paul.J]

Tigerturning wrote
Let me preface this by saying that these are only my thoughts from an engineering perspective.
Thanks for that.
But i'm afraid i as a newbie,and i'm sure others have to look at it from a non engineering background,and have to go by reviews etc from the net,and of course off the forum.
It's only when things like this are pointed out from an engineer or experienced user of the machine that it makes you think longer about your purchase and get even more confused as to what to buy.
It was bad enough deciding which chuck to get. :roll:
Paul.J.