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Thread: Where is Woodfast now?
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19th October 2020, 07:32 PM #1
Where is Woodfast now?
The purpose of this thread is not intended to promote Woodfast lathes, but a reference point for those who already have them and are looking for parts, manuals, service, etc.
With Woodworking Solutions having now stopped trading, Woodfast has definitely moved into a 'new' era with Graham and Steve, who had many decades with Woodfast, no longer a phone call away. However, they [do have some spare parts while those last... alas, according to Fergiz01 below, now all gone!] can be contacted via the following emails.
Graham: [email protected]
Steve: [email protected]
Woodfast as a brand continues with its headquarters in Archerfield, Qld.
[email protected]
Ph: 1300966332 for service
Sales of Woodfast are via the following list of distributors, including forum sponsor Carroll's Woodcraft.
Authorized Retail Store Woodfast Group Australia
Declaration: I have no vested interest in Woodfast and my next lathe may not be one, but to date I have been satisfied with the various Woodfast lathes that I have used over the last 50yrs.
Having said that, it is interesting to see that Woodfast has added a new 'super heavy' duty 3HP model to their range (WL3040A). Quite a beast!
Index Woodfast Group Australia
I must say I like the stability of those cast iron legs. The price is also looks competitive for such a solid 3HP EVS, IMO.
If only they could add a swivel head or sliding head model to that WL3040A, I would then be a pig in mud!
Yes, these lathes are made in China, but unlike some lathes made there and sold here, there is at least someone locally here that you can ring to to talk about service.
Yes, there is a well made Australian lathe that provides the same local service here if the premium for local manufacture is not an issue for you and that is your preference.Stay sharp and stay safe!
Neil
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19th October 2020 07:32 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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20th October 2020, 01:27 AM #2
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.
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20th October 2020, 07:10 AM #3
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21st October 2020, 03:53 PM #4Novice
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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.
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21st October 2020, 05:19 PM #5GOLD MEMBER
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21st October 2020, 05:26 PM #6GOLD MEMBER
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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.
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21st October 2020, 08:24 PM #7
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.
Stay sharp and stay safe!
Neil
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21st October 2020, 08:48 PM #8GOLD MEMBER
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22nd October 2020, 09:50 AM #9
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.Stay sharp and stay safe!
Neil
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22nd October 2020, 12:17 PM #10
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 AustraliaMobyturns
In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever
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22nd October 2020, 02:16 PM #11
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)
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22nd October 2020, 02:21 PM #12
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 OakNeil____________________________________________Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new
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22nd October 2020, 02:44 PM #13
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22nd October 2020, 03:04 PM #14
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.Stay sharp and stay safe!
Neil
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22nd October 2020, 06:03 PM #15GOLD MEMBER
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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.
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