New lathe selection

[markdem]

Good day.
I have a dilemma. I need to choses between the following two lathes (Vicmarc VL200 and a woodfast M910 incase the links don't work)
Vicmarc - Wood Lathes, Chucks, Jaws and Accessories - VL200 SM 6 Speed (http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=532)
W685 | M910 Heavy Duty Wood Lathe | machineryhouse.com.au (http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W685)

Both are great lathes but I just can't make up my mind. The woodfast has a bigger swing and a outboard attachment, but the vicmarc is a vicmarc and it is blue :)

Anyone care to help me out?

Thanks

[powderpost]

I have been using Woodfast lathes for more than 30 years and am perfectly happy with them. Really comes down to the ford/holden type discussion.
Jim

[nz_carver]

Vicmarc hands down it's made in Australia
There after sales service is grate and so is the service from CWS

[pommyphil]

Vicmarc, without a moments hesitation.

[Tim the Timber Turner]

I always say "If you want to buy your last lathe, buy a Vicmarc".:2tsup:

You are supporting Australian jobs when you buy Vicmarc.

Cheers
Tim:)

[Jim Carroll]

Blue is a very nice color

Nuff said

[fozz]

In the beginning there was Vicmarc and Woodfast but the last word in Australian woodlathes just has to be...Omega :2tsup::wink::U

[Pat]

Yellow is a good colour too, another vote for the M910. I've had mine for the past 4 years. 520mm inboard, 700mm outboard with auxiliary table, 2000mm outboard with a outboard tool rest. :q:q:q:q:q

Service from the boys at Woodfast is great.

Holden vs Ford, is the correct interpretation.

[chuck1]

it's a shame about the tailstock on the woodfast, the vicmarc wins there but why have that hole in the vicmarc?! worst case flip a coin!!!! or Buy both?

[markdem]

Thanks guys,
Going to have a look at both today. Maybe a closer look will make my mind up.

Still like the woodfast simply because the bigger swing, just wish it was not yello...

[markdem]

Thanks for that guys.

I will go today and have a look at both. Maybe seen them will help me make up my mind.
Right now I am leaving towards the woodfast simply because the swing.

Lets see how I go.

Thanks

[smiife]

it's a shame about the tailstock on the woodfast, the vicmarc wins there but why have that hole in the vicmarc?! worst case flip a coin!!!! or Buy both?

Hi mark,
Firstly , chuckie what is wrong with the tailstock???:?
I guess the choice also comes down to how much cash
you have to spare,,,,,,,,, having said that there Is nothing
wrong with yellow,,,,,, I have had mine for 3 years with
no problems, but then I have never experianced blue!!!:roll:
Cheers smiife:2tsup:

[Willy Nelson]

The Vicmarc in my opinion for a heap of reasons. Yes, they are an Australian company, but the casting for Vicmarc lathes is done overseas (Taiwan, IIRC). Then they are brought into Australia and machined

Willy

[pommyphil]

Thailand Willy, along with lots of other good things :D Phil

[artme]

MMy heart and head swing the needle to blue, my pocket would swing to yellow.

On quality I have never seen a lathe that matches the Vicmarc. I have bee to
the factory and the number of rejected bed castings is incredible. Obviously
QC is a top priority.

Also, While we were in Italy We dropped in to see Claude (La Trucilora) and have
a look at his workshop/school. Only Vicmarc!!!! Claude pointed out some of the
very fine features of their quality, including being able to rough down a square
blank while a coin the size of a 20c piece stood motionless on its edge on the
headstock!!! PBI!!!

[Pat]

Smiife, I have played on blue, VL250 & 300 versions and still love my yellow peril.:U

It all comes down to budget, I have also played on Stubby 1000, Nova 3000/DVS, Teknatool 1000/8, Jet mini's, Leadbetter Bowl Lathe, 's Henry monster and a few others whom I cannot remember the names atm include a few anchors. I still love my yellow peril :q

[Grommett]

And i love my green Woodfast C1000. Its old, and Its made in Oz.

[Willy Nelson]

Okay, whilst we are declaring our love for our lathes, I will put it in the public domain, that I love my Aussie Built Durden Top Turn. Must be quite a few thousand hours we have spent together. The only blemish is a couple of nuts and bolts that vibrated loose and disappeared in the sawdust. However, is she died, I would replace her that day with a Vicmarc VL 600, in a heartbeat.(despite them not being released yet).
Sincerely
Willy

[markdem]

OK. I have had a look at both. I must say that the vicmark is better in build quality, but only just and in places that the quality just would not matter. Things like finish of paintwork and such. I much say that it did sound "better". Not sure why but it just sounded like it was smother running. The woodfast is bigger, has a bigger motor(not that is would matter much) and has a outboard attachment.

I think I will just flip a coin :)

Thanks