Thread: Advice on outboard turning

13 opinions from 12 practitioners sounds like doctrinal debates in religions

Would just add: you can do larger pieces on the VL200 and 300 by turning outboard with the VM outrigger or a freestanding tool rest. That'd give you good access to the workpiece at the expense of hefting around the toolrest. If your workpiece mounting and technique are sound, you don't need tailstock support.

Another plus with a Stubby 100 or 750 is that you can alternate outside and hollowing cuts using the supplementary headstock-mounted bed*. The downside, at least given how I like to work, is that for outside shaping you need to learn how to do pull cuts. I did but found it slower working than with push cuts alone.

As for the big Teknatool, if there's been no improvement in QC over the DVR-XP that I owned, I couldn't recommend it. That's only a sample of one I should emphasise but I found talking with other users and being on a Nova forum that my experience wasn't atypical.

In terms of service and support, here in Aus. it's hard to beat Vicmarc.

Then there's the matter of what size you need. If you're selling stuff there's not a big demand for huge bowls and platters and sourcing large sound blanks isn't easy.

My Stubby 1000 could turn 110cm diam. The biggest blank I mounted on it was 60cm, turned down to 50cm diam. That was plenty big enough to sit on a large table.

*Added: under some circumstances it can work better if you make your last cuts outside finishing cuts. The pressure of the tool is more towards the chuck and bowl flex is reduced.

Thank you for the replies Gentlemen.
I am currently using a JET 1642 which is great for most of my work, but, I don't need 42" of bed length, and, thus it is a big footprint in my shed.
Also, I have some timber that is greater than 16" in diameter but cannot find an outboard steady\rest\tripod to suit the JET.
Have been lovingly looking at Vicmarc 200\300's and Stubby 750's (SWMBO says it's only a hobby!)
Must admit that the last PRC made TK chuck I bought I felt was not up to the standard of the same SN2 NZ chucks I have.
Part of the problem living here in the Wild West is that often you buy sight unseen as the obession\hobby is not in large enough in population numbers for the products to be stocked.
Thus feedback from the Forum is much appreciated.
Again, Thanks for the replies
Grant

Here you are Grant. VICMARC VL175 Wood Turning lathe $3,900.00 Donnybrook WA

Looks almost unused and includes an outrigger. As new, the package worth well over $5k. And, delivered before Xmas...