Thread: New Vicmarc VL200

It is in almost mint condition. Congratulations, enjoy the (almost) new toys.

A great pickup . I'm sure you will be happy with it . I think you will find the handbreak wheel will unscrew and you can screw a chuck on there for OB turning .
Ted

Thanks everyone, I should be able to mount some timber in it this weekend to give it a spin . Ah yes I can take the hand wheel off, I should have referred to the outfeed toolrests I’ve come across bolted to the side of the frame, wasn’t sure if that was possible with this unit

Cheers
Nathan

That's a great pickup. I took possession of my VL200 late last year and i absolutely LOVE it.
You will never regret that purchase.

Yes, it does support outboard turning. You should find a couple of threaded screws holes on the outboard end of the head stock which is where the support bolts on.


Well done.

Originally Posted by woodtryer

That's a great pickup. I took possession of my VL200 late last year and i absolutely LOVE it.
You will never regret that purchase.

Yes, it does support outboard turning. You should find a couple of threaded screws holes on the outboard end of the head stock which is where the support bolts on.


Well done.

Thanks Woodtryer, after owning three classic Woodfast’s I was convinced I really enjoy turning. Have wanted to own a vicmarc but haven’t been able to for a long time so when I found this I had to pounce on it. I want it to be the last lathe I buy for a long time can’t get over it’s stability and overall build quality.

Stable..... they sure are. I put an off balance 350mm x 150mm Manna Gum bowl blank on my LV200 and turned up the speed waiting for it to start shaking, nothing, rock solid.
The only thing you may want to look at is a VM120 chuck. The extra size reallh does come in handy especially if you are mounting 300mm plus heavy bowl blanks.

Enjoy you new baby.

Cheers Peter

Originally Posted by delbs

Thanks Woodtryer, after owning three classic Woodfast’s I was convinced I really enjoy turning. Have wanted to own a vicmarc but haven’t been able to for a long time so when I found this I had to pounce on it. I want it to be the last lathe I buy for a long time can’t get over it’s stability and overall build quality.

I have a few wood lathes, including an Aussie made Woodfast M908 ('92 vintage) plus a VL150, and each has its pros & cons. However the build quality of Aussie made is right up there with the very best.

I remember one occasion at the Proserpine Turnout where we placed a 12 sided 50c on edge on the head stock of my VL150 and turned a small bowl (120 mm or so) from a "round" blank without the 50c piece moving at all.

Looks like the foxy approves of it too

He certainly does, always sniffing about most of my workshop activities

I agree @ Mobyturns and is the reason i kept going back to other woodfasts, id have life circumstances change due to size or workshop access but always enjoyed owning one. This vicmarc represents learning from those previous purchases with such a well built platform i dont need to upgrade. this is perfect for my needs and intend on using it for as long as it lasts.

This would be the outboard turning attachment that seems to fit my lathe if i ever needed it. CWS Store - Vicmarc Outboard Turning Attachment. also a VM120 chuck to support larger pieces.

Cheers,
Nathan

Congratulations, not only have you one of the best made lathes, it is also one of the safest.

Vicmarc make a safety collar, one of which looks to be fitted to your lathe, it is on the outboard handle end. You can remove this and use it with any Vicmarc chuck and this will enable you to turn the piece in either direction safely, no possibility of anything unwinding.

Lathe Accessories: Safety Collars

As for the outboard rig, it is heavy and rigid, and in my opinion works quite well, especially if you have a swivel head; you don't. Another possibility is to make or have someone make a tripod mount for the tool rest unit, then you can virtually turn anything that doesn't scape on the floor; if you so desire that is.

Attached is a picture of a VL175SH (Swivel head) at my turning club taken some years ago now. On it you can see the Vicmark outboard attachment, which will give you an idea of it's bulk.

Mick.

Yes Nathan that is the outboard attachment I was referring to. I'm going to be ordering myself one shortly so I'll let you know how it goes.

Cheers Peter

wow thanks for that Mick, pretty significant attachment. I dont have an outboard turning desire at the moment with so much to do at a smaller scale for myself and the kids but great to know i have it as a future upgrade possibility.

The swing away bed extension looks good also. One thing ive noticed is that my EVS control unit is mounted directly into lathe frame itself. Ive taken peek behind this, i dont think it would be too much work to change this to an external magnetic base plastic housing to move it around for. But for now controls are good and very happy with how smooth they operate.

That 175 is a significant size! looks to be a great lathe. as im renting at the moment im happy with how little space this 200 is taking up, i can jack it up and put some temporary wheels on to move it which ive already done to then remove when in its home.

Now own a P+N Skew chisel also with some larger hamlet/woodcut chisels added to the mix i feel much more stable and confident for some of the larger projects. i think its the weight and length and that tool rest that helps with this

Originally Posted by Optimark

As for the outboard rig, it is heavy and rigid, and in my opinion works quite well, especially if you have a swivel head; you don't. Another possibility is to make or have someone make a tripod mount for the tool rest unit, then you can virtually turn anything that doesn't scrape on the floor; if you so desire that is.

Attached is a picture of a VL175SH (Swivel head) at my turning club taken some years ago now. On it you can see the Vicmark outboard attachment, which will give you an idea of it's bulk.

Mick.

Although it allows for any size piece, I found the outboard rig like the one from CWS to be very heavy and unwieldy. OK for platters where you don't have to be moving the toolpost so frequently, but not so versatile working when around larger bowls and hollow forms. I found my tripod quicker and easier to reposition if I'm turning extra large.

I've not seen the one that Optimark has shown on the VL175 before. Anyone have any more info on it?

Neil, I looked at it this morning, I wasn't using that lathe, preferring a Stubby for what I was doing today.

If you look carefully where the safety visor is hanging, you can just make out a black plastic handle. This is where the tool rest is inserted and gripped. The chrome (vertical) piece) in the immediate foreground, is actually a very fancy ring (almost tube) spanner, presumably it came with the outrigger as part of the a kit.

I have used it, it is, as you say, a bit fiddly to use; but it does work well for what it is intended for. I'm in agreement with you, a tripod mounted tool rest system would be preferable.

Mick.