Vicmarc VL200S BM 6SP ?????

[woodtryer]

Hi all, I really hope this is not one of "those" questions but I am after some opinions please. I currently have one of the Carbatec MC1100A manual variable speed lathes. I am now seriously looking at the vicmarc vl200 bm. I have never seen or played with one before so i am not sure if i will be happy with a vicmarc that i need to mount on a sturdy bench compared with a lathe on cast iron legs. Providing a motor is no problem as i have a 1500watt brand newie that i was given. Has anyone purchased any of the vicmarc BM range and how happy are you with it?
Any feedback would be appreciated however my finances can only extend to the $2k make so that is why I'm looking at this particular lathe.

Looking forward to your replies.

Peter

[Fryers]

Peter,
I can't claim to have had much experience with the VL-200 6 speed. I picked a second hand one on the weekend, made in 1992 and I believe the smile on my face at the end of the first day of play will stay there.
Mine came mounted on a solid steel stand that was custom made for it, and it is a beauty, not a tremor or hesitation, it is smooth and powerful.
I upgraded from a manual H&F WL-18 which was not a bad first lathe. I believe the Vicmarc will be a keeper.

Cheers,

Fryers

[woodtryer]

Thanks for the input Fryers, I really appreciate the feedback as like I said I have not even see one before however it is in the right price range for me.

Cheers,

Peter

[Jim Carroll]

The bench mount range are certainly a rarity these days as most buyers want the stand mount option and V/S motor all set up and ready to go.

There is nothing wrong with this option as you still get a very strong lathe and as long as the stand you have or make is robust enough then you will get years of pleasure from this.

You will find it a big upgrade from the MC1100

[woodtryer]

Thanks for the reply Jim. Yes the full version would be great but I don't think I will ever be able out lay $4k plus for a lathe. At around $2k I can get myself a Vicmarc but I only want to go down this path if I'm not spending my money on something that won't really be that good a setup.

Thanks

Peter

[brendan stemp]

I agree with Jim. My first lathe was a bench mounted Woodfast. The lathe was great but the stand I made could have been better. EVS is a really useful addition but you are doing the right thing by considering the VL200 BM given your budget. You can always add the EVS later. No more hesitation is needed. It will be the best alternative to spend your 2K.

[woodtryer]

Thanks Brendan for the feedback, I think my mind is made up. By the way, I love "you turn" and have watched all of your videos.

Thanks heaps,

Peter

[Paul39]

Woodtryer,

The most important part is a good stout lathe. The stand you can make yourself to your own size and taste. I suggest you bash something together from scrap lumber to start, pallets, especially for plate glass from glass companies, or crates from motorcycle shops have some nice timber at times. Some designs to consider:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1440&bih=780&q=shop+made+wood+lathe+stands&oq=shop+made+wood+lathe+stands&gs_l=img.12...2781.9902.0.13076.28.22.0.0.0.0.435.2930.0j14j3j0j1.18.0....0...1.1.64.img..10.11.2083.0..0j0i24k1.PiqZRzCwIBY

Once you have used the lathe for a while you will find; I like this, I don't like that, putting it on a flat topped bench makes it hard to find a tool under 500mm of shavings, etc. Then you can make the ultimate lathe stand, which you may change a few years later. If you do bowls, it is good to have a minimal stand so the copious shavings fall to the floor.

See my Woodfast below for shaving from a medium size bowl.

Rule of thumb on hight is, standing at the lathe, center hight is your elbow with forearm held parallel to floor. I do almost all bowls, so I like mine higher so it is easier to look inside when hollowing.

I have both Hegner 5 speed step pulley lathe and a 6 speed Woodfast with after market variable speed. The variable speed and slowest step pulley on the 20 inch swing Woodfast is nice for roughing out big out of balance stumps. Other than that I don't think variable speed is that important over a step pulley lathe that is easy to change. The Hegner changes by pulling the rear mounted motor forward, lifting a lid ande moving the belt, push motor back. The Woodfast changes by opening the door, lift lever which raises the motor, lift lid on top and move belt, move belt on bottom, lower lever on bottom, close door.

For bowls on both lathes I will start on the slowest speed for roughing out octagonal blanks that are cut with a chain saw, then move up one speed to finish. Not a lot of speed changing. For spindles, I start on the second lowest and move to the next highest.

[woodtryer]

Thanks for that Paul. Sounds more and more like I'm on the right track considering my budget. Of course it would be nice to get a fully setup Vicmarc but a bench mounted version still sounds attractive.

Thanks

Peter