Viceroy TD6 Short-bed Lathe

[paulkane1]

Could someone on this forum kindly give there opinion of the Viceroy TD6 Lathe? What is the Swing over the bed ?and what is the biggest size bowl you can turn on the outboard? What is the overall consensus of the quality of this machine?

Yours Kindly Paul

 

[CHJ]

Judging by the picture showing a 12" faceplate fitted it looks to be 12-1/2" to 13" diam. over the main bed on a standard lathe.

 

[leisurefix]

The short bed has about 11" swing at both ends (allowing about 22" diameter), although on the outboard end you can remove the support and use a free-standing support for very large items. The tailstock is really useful as you can use it when turning the full diameter (which I cant do on the Graduate as I have the long-bed rather than the bowl lathe). The toolrests both have straight vertical supports which are not as adjustable as the Graduate lathe, but they are perfectly adequate and only rarely do I find the lack of the swan neck awkward. The lathe is quite heavy, but again not quite up to the Graduate. It has holes in the base for bolting it down, which is highly recommended. The base is quite a large box, which can get in the way of your feet - an modern open framework lathe is unlikely to have that issue. I fitted an inverter allowing variable speed. I have done some pretty heavy turning, and bowl-saving on the lathe which it deals with really well (the bearings seem to be quite capable of heavy loads). Overall the Graduate is a slightly better machine, but the Viceroy is still a well made, solid lathe that I would recommend (price dependent of course).
Andy

 

[paulkane1]

The short bed has about 11" swing at both ends (allowing about 22" diameter), although on the outboard end you can remove the support and use a free-standing support for very large items. The tailstock is really useful as you can use it when turning the full diameter (which I cant do on the Graduate as I have the long-bed rather than the bowl lathe). The toolrests both have straight vertical supports which are not as adjustable as the Graduate lathe, but they are perfectly adequate and only rarely do I find the lack of the swan neck awkward. The lathe is quite heavy, but again not quite up to the Graduate. It has holes in the base for bolting it down, which is highly recommended. The base is quite a large box, which can get in the way of your feet - an modern open framework lathe is unlikely to have that issue. I fitted an inverter allowing variable speed. I have done some pretty heavy turning, and bowl-saving on the lathe which it deals with really well (the bearings seem to be quite capable of heavy loads). Overall the Graduate is a slightly better machine, but the Viceroy is still a well made, solid lathe that I would recommend (price dependent of course).
Andy

Thanks Kindly for your kind replye,It seems you are happy enough with the machine,I have a chance to buy one,It's still 3-phase,he's looking £500,I would need single phase inverter installed,I don't know what the going rate is for that? Then I have to get it shipped to Belfast,all-in probably £850-800? Is that over the top?
Paul

 

[CHJ]

A prime question you need to ask regarding the 3 phase motor:-

Is it dual voltage, can it be configured for 240 volt.
Star (400v) Delta (240v) ?

Makes a big difference to the cost of a convertor if it's single voltage Star (400v).

 

[leisurefix]

I was going to mention the same thing about the motor, if you cannot wire it for 240v then you will have to add the cost of a motor as well, and the machine is then starting to look really expensive.
What extras are included with the lathe, does it include the tailstock is the main thing, as this will be a right pain if it is missing. If it only has the tailstock and one toolrest then I think it is at the upper end of its price/value. I bought my copy of this lathe about 12 or 13 years ago, it was also 3 phase, with inflation it was pretty close in price, maybe a little bit less. I bought a second hand inverter for about £120, and made a remote unit for about £25 using trailer cable, an aluminium control box, two switches and rotary control knob. Personally I would not pay £850, but realise part of the cost is shipping. I would be wanting some guarantee that the lathe was in perfect working order.
Andy.