Thread: Willy's New Lathe - Vicmarc VL 300S ASM EVS

Removing the cardboard box reveals an awesome, brand new Vicmarc!

All the boxes and other bits and bobs were well packed, preserved and transported in such a manner that no damage occurred, happy days.

The lathe was bolted onto a pallet. I removed all other items, needed a hand for the lathe bed extension which I think weighed 70 kilograms.

Being a fit strong young fellow, I have been in demand for years moving lathes, so I planned to use a mates home made piano trolleys, they work well.

All preparations ready for the lathe to be moved, all I need now are some big mates
Willy

Prior to my friends turning up, I moved the 70 kg extension bed, the extension bed legs, a box containing instructions and a Vicmarc hat!!!!!!
Next was the box containing the Vicmarc Shark jaws, a 300mm sanding disk, outboard turning leg and tools.

Willy

The lathe was moved later in the day with the assistance of John Scarfe, a well known WA turner and demonstrator. He is still in the Navy, and so keen to assist a mate, that he came straight from work in uniform to help me. What a good hand.

The lathe was bolted to the pallet, so instead of using the piano trolleys, we simply slid the pallet to the ramp and then slid it down the ramp. We then lifted the lower side of the lathe/pallet and inserted a piano trolley. We then moved the lathe a bit further down and then installed the other trolley, the lathe probably weighs about 300 kgs as I had removed the tailstock and banjo in an attempt to make it more manageable

We then wheeled the lathe though the work shop and simply lifted (huh, simply lifted, we need 3 men and my daughter!!!) the lathe and positioned it on the floor.

Cheers
Willy

Hi willy , who, s a lucky boy then, santa was very
kind to you , I just knew it would be a vicmarc
Happy days and i hope it serves you well

Looking good mate, the bed extension is a great idea. Keep the photos coming, love to see it all completely set up

Really nice to read the unboxing of the lathe. Still waiting for the rest of the bits to be attached and the first turned piece.

I cast my vote for a tool handle.

We lifted the lathe into the space I had anticipated and measured as being suitable. Some changes will have to occur such as the movable lighting, dust extraction and tooling. As stated earlier, the lathe stand is height adjustable. I stood on the pallet to get an idea of working height, and I was pretty happy with the factory setting. I am 187cm, I will use the lathe for a while and see if this height suits me, and raise it if required. It should be too hard to raise, just jimmy up one end, remove the bolts, extend the legs and continue for the remainder.overall, the lathe is higher, bigger and wider than my Durden, and it does slight block a door way, but not significantly.Sorry about the orientation of the photos, they looked correct prior to posting but then for some reason, they rotate. Bugger

Hi willy,
Is that it, s final resting place ? I just asked cos I had
mine up against a wall and found it a bit restricting .
I am now totally jealous , it looks a real beauty

Actually I prefer to have the lathe about 650mm out from the wall and work between the lathe and the wall. Very handy having calipers, face plates and chucks handy but out of the way.

Jim

Originally Posted by powderpost

Actually I prefer to have the lathe about 650mm out from the wall and work between the lathe and the wall. Very handy having calipers, face plates and chucks handy but out of the way.

Jim

That's something I wouldn't have thought to do, great idea. Will keep that in the back pocket for my upcoming shed rearrange!

Originally Posted by smiife

Hi willy,
Is that it, s final resting place ? I just asked cos I had
mine up against a wall and found it a bit restricting .
I am now totally jealous , it looks a real beauty

Hello Mate
Yes, I have always had my lathes reasonably close to the wall. I always mounted tools, chisels and accessories nearby for ease of reach. This lathe will be off the wall by about 600mm, furthest by far. It may look closer in the pictures. Another issue is the grinder. It needs to be near the lathe. This lathe is longer, the grinder is wall mounted so they interfered with each other. Having the lathe off the wall more will de-conflict these.
When I do outboard turning in the future, I will have to move a few other things. Also, there is a another permanent lathe also mounted in the turning room (or Main Machinery Room No 1 (MMR1).
Oh yeah, no need to be jealous, just do what I did and sold my first borne child. Simples
Willy

Hello
This may give you a better idea of the relationship with the wall.
I spoke earlier about the working height of the lathe. If you are unsure, a good place to start is to the tip of the drive spur at the height level with your elbow.
Looking at the photos, it appears as though my lathe needs to be higher, but as stated earlier, I will try it first. I may used to the lower height of my old lathe, time will tell

Component review to come next
Willy

Edit. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, sick of the computer rotating the photos, so I stopped using the Ipad, have emailed the photos to the computer. They are correct, until I upload them!!!!!
I have pre rotated a photo to see if that helps

Hello
I am quite with familiar with Vicmarcs, I teach on them at Dwellingup, we have them at our club and I have used them elsewhere. I intend going through the components now, the good and the bad.

Firstly, I did something that no man has done before, something that I am loathe to admit here, but I will. After all my mates were gone, I sat down, with a Coopers Mid, and I read every instruction manual!!!!!!! Yep, who does that???? Not the beer, the reading part!
I do, I love technical manuals, and I learnt a thing or two as well. Who'd have thought that?

At this stage, the bed extension is fitted, whilst I had hired muscle, but not tightened or secured, just easier with one lifting, one aligning and one person installing bolts.

Anyhoo, The Tool rest.
Older tool rests and my Durden had cast tool rests which were kind to tools, but prone to nicks which require filing to allow smooth turning. The new Vicmarcs have a new high tensile (4140 grade) steel round bar welded to the top. This is way better that my last tool rest which was held to the shaft with a roll pin. It was quite loose and annoying. The Vicmarc tool rest will be bullet proof!!!

The banjo accepts a 30mm shaft, which is a shame in a way. Everything else from the Durden fits the Vicmarc (chucks, faceplate etc, except the tool rests which are 25mm. Oh well, I guess I will have to buy a curved rest and possibly a long rest (I like the sound of that ). Looking at the photo, it is very clear that the old chuck fits straight on the new lathe, should have put the new chuck on.


The Banjo is camlock operated and is very simple, robust and positively locks in place, Solid! When the banjo is required to be moved, it glides effortlessly. One thing I forgot to mention is the machined bed arrives with a coat of preservative grease. I removed it all with Mineral turps and then applied a liberal coat of Sieber glide (Silver Glide, expensive, but great stuff).
Cheers
Willy

PS, At least this photo is right, sigh