The Vicmarc has landed

[Scott]

After sitting idle since I received the VL175 on Thursday I've finally had the chance to put it all together. Essentially the lathe itself is ready to go out of the box. Yes, everything arrived boxed up and secured to a pallet. It all looked insanely imposing considering the lathe and stand weigh in at just over 200kg. I had to borrow my neighbour's pallet jack to manoeuvre it all into the shed. The stand was a breeze to put together however the holes to bolt the lathe to the stand were about 1mm out at one end, which I had to drill out. No big deal.


Once the stand was put together, lathe secured and moved into position, the stand rocked about 3 or 4mm on the concrete. I knew the concrete wasn't all that level in the first place so I had cut up some 1.6 gal sheet shims and levelled the lathe with those. The whole lathe is now coplanar and very secure. There is *some* vibration around 2700 to 2800 RPM which I'll look at tomorrow.


First impressions? I've only had one lathe before this (Nova 1624-44) however the whole Vicmarc package oozes class. The castings are superb, motor quiet and I'm going to LOVE the variable speed. I purchased a VM100 scroll chuck which is superb also. I'm also glad I bought the stand rather than make my own bench (thanks Jim C :) ). Once some wood touches the lathe I'll provide a more in-depth review. But for now, I'm going to give this baby a kiss before I go to bed each night.


I must thank my old man who, at 74, has still got the ability to move and construct with the best of them. Thanks Dad :)


http://www.woodworkforums.com/members/56431-scott/albums/scott-s-grot/261605-vl175-1.jpg


http://www.woodworkforums.com/members/56431-scott/albums/scott-s-grot/261606-vl175-2.JPG


http://www.woodworkforums.com/members/56431-scott/albums/scott-s-grot/261607-vl175-3.JPG


http://www.woodworkforums.com/members/56431-scott/albums/scott-s-grot/261608-vl175-4.JPG

[nz_carver]

Nice one mate now get on it and turn!

[DJ’s Timber]

Good stuff Scott but its too clean!!!!

[Scott]

Good stuff Scott but its too clean!!!!

Agreed! I've got some of Mapleman's Mango here that's just itching to get round, will start spinning tomorrow. Kids need looking after first :)

[wheelinround]

Way to clean so clean Mrs Marsh would be proud of you.........wheres the :photo3:

[Chesand]

I must thank my old man who, at 74, has still got the ability to move and construct with the best of them. Thanks Dad :)

We work smarter as we get older. :wink:

Enjoy your lathe.

[chuck1]

very nice! hours of fun ahead of you!

[Mulgabill]

Well done Scott! Now get to work!!!:whip:

[artme]

I'm jealous but dont let that bother you!!:q

Enjoy!!!:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[Cliff Rogers]

:2tsup:

[Scott]

I'm jealous but dont let that bother you!!:q

Don't worry, I won't ;)

[Scott]

Well done Scott! Now get to work!!!:whip:

You see, that was the problem and the Vicmarc is the solution. I wasn't enjoying my time on the lathe despite enjoying woodturning all together (does that make sense?). I'd outgrown the 1624 and my output was suffering .

I plan on an all-dayer tomorrow :D

[chucky]

Scott glad to see you have finally got your VL175. I hope that you get as much enjoyment from using it as I do, when I turn mine on. See you on Tues. night all going well

[Scott]

Scott glad to see you have finally got your VL175. I hope that you get as much enjoyment from using it as I do, when I turn mine on. See you on Tues. night all going well

Is that you Max?

Be at the club on Tuesday, see you then :)

[chucky]

no its Ian

[Scott]

no its Ian

Hello! It was a 50/50 guess and I lost, either Huey or Dewy ;)

[RETIRED]

More like Jeckyll and Mr Hyde.:wink::D

[Scott]

More like Jeckyll and Mr Hyde.:wink::D

I'm sayin' nothin.

[dr4g0nfly]

It's lacking something, can't quite put my finger on it...

... Ah, got it ... sawdust!

[wheelinround]

It's lacking something, can't quite put my finger on it...

... Ah, got it ... sawdust!

photo of him using it

[Paul39]

Be a little easy on the young guys with new lathes. Some still have to work for a living.

[Colin62]

Some still have to work for a living.

Gets in the way though, doesn't it? :(

[Scott]

Gets in the way though, doesn't it? :(

Unfortunately :(

[wheelinround]

Is it dirty yet:q come on Scott I mean to say all these blokes who by Vicmarcs must stick them in a corner cover them up and forget they have them or are frightened to use them, scratch the paint wear the belt, ways etc.

I now know why I don't like Vicmarc lathes the stands all that steel about the legs, having to lean over the lathe to get to work, no height adjustment especially downwards and I am not relating this to me being in a wheelchair as I do not turn from it.

[nz_carver]

Is it dirty yet:q come on Scott I mean to say all these blokes who by Vicmarcs must stick them in a corner cover them up and forget they have them or are frightened to use them, scratch the paint wear the belt, ways etc.

I now know why I don't like Vicmarc lathes the stands all that steel about the legs, having to lean over the lathe to get to work, no height adjustment especially downwards and I am not relating this to me being in a wheelchair as I do not turn from it.

I'd just check about how many pro turners use vicmarc and how meny use nova?
I'd check were vicmarc is made that's rite Australia not china or the USA like nova

Buying Australian made your keeping a Australian in a job.
Vicmarc are made well and have a high price tag for that reason.

you may find Scott has other things on and had not had the time to post pics.

Sometimes The people that critter size are normally the the ones that want what the other person wants.

[Sturdee]

you may find Scott has other things on and had not had the time to post pics.



Spot on.

Scott in other posts said that today he was going to the Ballarat Woodworkers show.

Peter.

[wheelinround]

I'd just check about how many pro turners use vicmarc and how meny use nova?
I'd check were vicmarc is made that's rite Australia not china or the USA like nova

Buying Australian made your keeping a Australian in a job.
Vicmarc are made well and have a high price tag for that reason.

you may find Scott has other things on and had not had the time to post pics.

Sometimes The people that critter size are normally the the ones that want what the other person wants.



Dave I have used a Vicmarc, hated it, similar to Scotts but a slightly older machine and found it totally uncomfortable. So I am sure I would never want one (see my comments above why). I don't believe I am criticizing but pointing out that personally I saw what reminded me of why I would never own a Vicmarc Facts gained from personal experience.
I don't get paid to turn so am not a Pro and never mentioned Pro's at all. (see comments below on Pro's)

In criticizing would you then put people who are writing articles about machines in magazines pointing out in all honesty what they see as fault in the same class of wanting what ever it is they criticized? Or would you see these people who can see things as they are and help the company (if it has an open mind) to improve on their product.

I know Vicmarc are machined and assembled (its been mentioned on this forum often) in Australia this after the castings are imported and the electrics imported Dave.

Nova were made in New Zealand before going to Asia I am unaware of being made in the USA.

My Nova I bought 2nd hand so it was a NZ'd one as were the chucks I bought for the Jet years before.

Your argument of employing Aussie's doesn't make it a workable, viable machine for myself or those with bad backs, arthritis and or economics and ergonomics, which plays very much in the roll of life these days.

As a hobby turner NOT A PRO I am loathed to outlay so much for a lathe as I will never get a return on the investment.
A pro-turner after 3 or 4 years maybe 5, a Pro turner's accountant its been written off, says scrap it as you have accrued the life of the machine claimed all back from the Tax man you can, you have earned enough from that machine to go out and buy a new one more modern and up to date with today's technology such as a CNC operated one which will cut your staff down, improve output and put more money in your pocket by reducing your overheads. Yep thats what I call employing Australian's.

In observation of Pro-turners (by this I mean commercial concerns) places I have been over many years, I have seen many workshops use such as workshop built machines, H&F's WL18 through to imported machines from the UK like the Wadkin's?

Edited to add

I know Scott's work and family life are No1 I admire him in his work.

[chucky]

Is it dirty yet:q come on Scott I mean to say all these blokes who by Vicmarcs must stick them in a corner cover them up and forget they have them or are frightened to use them, scratch the paint wear the belt, ways etc.

I now know why I don't like Vicmarc lathes the stands all that steel about the legs, having to lean over the lathe to get to work, no height adjustment especially downwards and I am not relating this to me being in a wheelchair as I do not turn from it.

Well it shows how little you must know, I to own a VICMAC VL175 (like many other turners)and I can assure you that its not in a corner and covered up or forgotten about. The fact it is it is used more often than my other 2 ( nova & woodfast Cobra) If you have not used a vicmarc then don't knock them. If you don't like the stands don't buy one and mount it on a bench or something else .


By the way Scott has been working all hours and he did go to Ballarrat today because I was with him

[wheelinround]

Well it shows how little you must know, I to own a VICMAC VL175 (like many other turners)and I can assure you that its not in a corner and covered up or forgotten about. The fact it is it is used more often than my other 2 ( nova & woodfast Cobra) If you have not used a vicmarc then don't knock them. If you don't like the stands don't buy one and mount it on a bench or something else .


By the way Scott has been working all hours and he did go to Ballarrat today because I was with him


Seems I might need to clarify I was skyting at Scott and I am sure he knows that.


Yep don't know anything about Vicmarc's or their owners (the fellow's I used is/was Sydney sales for Vicmarc).
I am not knocking them and I do not see where I have knocked them I have pointed out on a personal level why I wouldn't buy one if your offended by my honesty and personal experience and circumstances then I guess its a bit like which footy team you follow (and i don't follow any).

[chucky]

Seems I might need to clarify I was skyting at Scott and I am sure he knows that.

Each to their own, if you were only skyting to Scott why make it :;public. End of story

[Scott]

Seems I might need to clarify I was skyting at Scott and I am sure he knows that.

I know you're mucking around ;)

To answer your question though, it has got dirty, on a fine piece of Redgum.

Interesting discussion which has risen though. I bought the Vicmarc because I'd done a fair bit of research and played around on various lathes, including Vicmarc, Stubbie, Woodfast and Nova lathes. The Vicmarc shone through because it's quality is second to none, vibration is minimal, it has a adjustable head for outboard turning and it has variable speed. I could afford the lathe because I got a decent payout from work and wanted something for 'life', something I feel the other lathes could not live up to. Another reason I bought the lathe is because Ken Wraight (pro turner) recommend that I buy one.

I've found the lathe to be VERY comfortable. Mainly because I've take an extraordinary amount of time to set it up correctly (right height etc) and spent the extra dollars to buy the stand (my feet fit under the lathe so I can get closer to the work).

As far as my personal life goes? New job and some long hours and lots of 'on call' work. It's also school holidays and the kids are at home therefore plenty of opportunities to go nuts with them. This translates to not enough shed time. And when there is time, things like the Ballarat Wood and Craft show was on (great day) which allowed me to socialise with fellow turners from our club (Northern Woodturners) and marvel at Ken Wraight's skills on the lathe (Northern Woodturners are VERY lucky to have him as a member).

Back to the lathe, I reckon I've got a fine piece of machinery which should last me well into my retirement.

Thanks to all those who have stuck their hand up for me :2tsup:

[nz_carver]

It's all well in good to sit in front of a computer think that your way is rite and is the only way.
But with a public forum people have different views that's what makes us all different.
and know one is making anyone be here that does not want to be here.
if you don't like this forum don't post don't log in



Yep don't know anything about Vicmarc's or their owners (the fellow's I used is/was Sydney sales for Vicmarc).
I am not knocking them and I do not see where I have knocked them I have pointed out on a personal level why I wouldn't buy one if your offended by my honesty and personal experience and circumstances then I guess its a bit like which footy team you follow (and i don't follow any).

Now it seems to me and I'm saying seems
That you have stated on here that you use a nova because of your circumstances it is what works for you.

Just like a Vicmarc may work for Scott for what he wants.

Just like nova never worked for me as my hight and turning style large work
just didnt cut it. It flexed and was to low and to light.

You make comments about vicmarc owners not using the lathes and have them in the corner with a cloth over them.
If and I say if this is a reference to other forum members that have not posted for sometime.
If its the members that I think you may me making reference to there well and still turning just keeping off the forum.

Vicmarc is assembled in Australia it's a Australian company.
not like a lot of the lathes that are on the Australian market now days.

Pro and ex pro turners using Vicmarc
Inside Australia
Brendan Stemp uses them full time

ken Wraight demmos one one at working with wood shows
I know ken uses vicmarc chucks and jaws

Jim Carroll (still turning just not full time now days)

Wolf a full time turner out of Melbourne may still be turning on one.

Neil Scorbi

Richard Raffan loves vicmarc and for a longtime used them

(Id say if Robbos lovely wife let him he may have one to:spyme:
understands this one )

Outside Australia
Ashley Harwood USA
Glenn Lucas IRL
theres more at this point I can't think of them

So if the lathes are so bad why are they one of the largest selling Australian made lathe now days?

I'd point out when ever I can I buy Australian made and support the little guy.

[Scott]

I'm positive Ray's initial post was made tongue-in-cheek and that's that way I've viewed it. Both Ray and I, over time, have traded enough friendly words to know half the things we each say are waffle and bluster and designed to yank each other's chain :D

I'm going to ask the mods to close the thread, if that's okay? I might start a thread reviewing the Vicmarc so everyone can have their say. That's if I've got enough time :whistling1: