Thread: Where is Woodfast now?

I contacted Graham and Steve a little over a month ago and they advised me that all their Woodfast parts were long gone.

There's still parts to be had in online classifieds and auctions.

Originally Posted by Fergiz01

I contacted Graham and Steve a little over a month ago and they advised me that all their Woodfast parts were long gone.

Thanks for the update, Fergiz01.

You always have quality posts, Neil. Thank you for this one, especially the heads up on that big beast. However, can you (or anyone else) explain to me how the bed extension is "electronic"? From what I can see is a mechanical movement.

Originally Posted by Brenton Stein

However, can you (or anyone else) explain to me how the bed extension is "electronic"? From what I can see is a mechanical movement.

I noted that as well. Maybe there is an electronic (electric) motor that is operated by the fifth switch on the panel. Forward and reverse where a worm drive moves the bed outwards to make a gap lathe to get the larger swing.

Mick.

Update, just read the manual, there is a switch which controls the motor that slides the bed left and right, plus there is also a gap bed insert, first time I've seen a bed extension that slipped in, not on the end.

Interesting unit it would seem.

Mick.

Originally Posted by Optimark

Update, just read the manual, there is a switch which controls the motor that slides the bed left and right, plus there is also a gap bed insert, first time I've seen a bed extension that slipped in, not on the end.

I expect the bed would be a fair old weight to move manually, so the power assist would be a nice feature if you needed that, but I don't expect that will be its key feature. That is likely to be its 3HP motor and matching solid build. Not that that amount of grunt is needed very often. The primary use for me would be for coring large blanks, but without a swivel or sliding head it is not going to be an option for me. The big 3HP Laguna would tick more boxes for me.

Originally Posted by NeilS

. The primary use for me would be for coring large blanks, but without a swivel or sliding head it is not going to be an option for me. The big 3HP Laguna would tick more boxes for me.

Agree with you there, which is why I went for the 24-36 Laguna unit, which as a comparison, is 330Kg configured for exactly what you mention. Couple of biggish bowls done around a month apart, both cored with 4 bowls from each.

Mick.

Originally Posted by Optimark

Agree with you there, which is why I went for the 24-36 Laguna unit, which as a comparison, is 330Kg configured for exactly what you mention. Couple of biggish bowls done around a month apart, both cored with 4 bowls from each.

Mick.

We are getting a bit off the thread topic now, I know I started it... mea culpa!

Perhaps another thread is required if a discussion on the current larger lathe options currently available here in Oz is of sufficient interest to enough forum members... not that many of us need such large lathes.

I know there are various views out there on Laguna vs Vicmarc vs Woodfast. There has been some developments for each since the last attempt at a comparative review here on the forum, so an update might be worth doing if someone wanted to take that on???


PS - Back in 2013 Richard Raffan reviewed three of the larger lathes on the market here for Australian Wood Review and declared the Vicmarc VL300 as the best.

Sadly we are loosing choices, and also quality,

Model 70-3040: 30″ x 40″ VSR Lathe & Sliding Bed - RIKON Power Tools

and another example,

MAXI-1-M33 Heavy Duty Cast Iron Swivel Head Variable Speed Lathe
Index Woodfast Group Australia

This saddens me.

My first lathe, not so long ago, was a woodfast. One of the small desktop models.


Isn't it strange with more people getting into woodworking, and more all the time, that such an iconic brand should close (or is it suspended until later?)


edit - thought - Perhaps its a case of now dealing with China is "All Too Hard"? Its all well and good to deal with a willing trading partner, but when they become... unwilling? Time to pull the plug and source elsewhere? (For all companies and sellers to/from... not just WF)

I bought the new Woodfast3040 and I can assure you it is a beast. My first surprise was that, although advertised as a 3HP motor, it's actually 4HP . Not sure if I just got lucky or if this is the new standard but they haven't updated the advertising. Being 4HP with a 15A plug I was actually a bit concerned about startup amps on the line. As it is a variable speed control through a variable phase drive my electrician said it should be fine but certainly on the limit.

Due to a fire at my place and the restored shed is where it is going, I assembled it and installed new cupboards/shelving underneath, but still yet to finish installing it in it's final location. So apart from testing (to make sure it works) I haven't actually used it to turn anything . I'm actually right in the middle of bolting it to the concrete slab through rubber block mounts today. When I've finished doing the install I'll do a thread on it.

Biggest issue to date is, although the lathe is advertised as having numerous accessories (like mounting wheels, extra Banjo, variable length tool rests, infill bed etc), none of these are available due to lack of supply from the manufacturer in China. I have therefore arranged for extra banjo and double mounted rests (my own design 400/600/800/1000mm long) to be made by Matt Crossley at Daltex in Cromer NSW. I'll do another thread on these once I receive the last couple still being completed.

I've also go quite a few large blanks, plain timber and cracked but cast with infill epoxy, ready to turn to test it. I've also got a client waiting for his simple tapered table legs from Tassie Oak

Originally Posted by Mobyturns

MAXI-1-M33 Heavy Duty Cast Iron Swivel Head Variable Speed Lathe
Index Woodfast Group Australia

Thanks for pointing that out Moby.

Funny thing.... I have a yellow one of those!

Originally Posted by dai sensei

I bought the new Woodfast3040 and I can assure you it is a beast. My first surprise was that, although advertised as a 3HP motor, it's actually 4HP . Not sure if I just got lucky or if this is the new standard but they haven't updated the advertising. Being 4HP with a 15A plug I was actually a bit concerned about startup amps on the line. As it is a variable speed control through a variable phase drive my electrician said it should be fine but certainly on the limit.

I noticed in the link I posted on the Woodfast3040 that it was shown as 3HP in the general blurb and 4HP in the specs. I thought 4HP was just a typo, but obviously not.

Neil, it would be good to get your impressions when you have it up and running.

I can see that Jim Carroll also has it listed on his website.

I too noted the power differences between the advertising blurb and the specification sheet; 3,016W of grunt give or take, pretty impressive.

For some reason there are no pictures of the rear side of the lathe anywhere, and their advertising with the segmented vertical windows is quite irritating to me.

With delivery and manufacture of most things at the moment, it's a wonder things are still being delivered. Accessories are always a hard thing and it is a pity if they are not available when one takes delivery of new machine.

I wonder if the inverter is dust sealed in a cabinet, like the current Laguna units. The original Laguna inverter units weren't dust sealed, now they are.

Mick.