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Hoping to pick my last lathe

You can use any chuck on the Vicmarc. It may not have a turned down section to use setscrews to lock a chuck on which may be what Bill is talking about. I have had a powermatic 3520 that has the entire spindle threaded just like the Vicmarc. I use reverse a lot on smaller work but seldom on large things like bowls and none of my chucks or faceplates have a set screw to lock it on so that simply hasn't been an issue for me. The one draw back I see with Vicmarc would be I'm not sure how customer service is since they don't have that many dealers. Robust and Oneway have a track record of excellent customer service.
 
Definitely try out any lathe you are considering if possible. A couple years ago I took a turning class at Arrowmont taught by Derek Weidman, so lathes got a good workout. They had a variety of lathes in the classroom, so I decided to use a Robust since I'd heard lots of good things about their lathes and thought I ought to use the opportunity to see what one could do. I had been thinking about replacing my lathe (PM) beforehand – not at all seriously – but the experience changed my mind. After that week, I went home and ordered an AB later that month. I did not consider a Oneway since I had long decided that a sliding headstock was a “must have”.
 
R Henrickson said:
I did not consider a Oneway since I had long decided that a sliding headstock was a “must have”.
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My lathe is a Magma Black Line. I don't know if it is sold in the USA. Its headstock both slides and swivels. I find that the only reason I need the slide feature is to make room for the tool rest on the left side of the headstock to turn large discs with the headstock turned 90 degrees. But it's not essential because I could swivel the headstock to the far side of the bed, swing the tool rest round and work on that side instead.

I consider a short bed or equivalent essential for bowls to save bending. With the swivel, the lathe is as convenient to use as a short bed. If I need the tailstock I can just turn the headstock back straight on the long bed. I don't normally use the tailstock for hollowing. To make the lathe into a short bed I could either slide the headstock to the right or swivel it 180 degrees. The advantage of the swivel over a shortbed is that I don't need working space at the end of the bed.

One good thing about the sliding headstock is that I can position it a few inches along the bed. That keeps the lathe stand out of the way of my foot.
 
Terry Vaughan said:
My lathe is a Magma Black Line. I don't know if it is sold in the USA
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It looks impressive and well designed. I am not aware of this machine being sold in the USA.
A few people in the us have them. One was offered for sale used in the forum want adds a year or so ago.

This web page has some details especially the end where many familiar faces are shown turning on it. You need to scroll down to see the two models and the guys turning on it.
I like the Graeme Priddle off center piece.
https://www.classichandtools.com/acatalog/titan-english-final.pdf
 
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Terry Vaughan said:
My lathe is a Magma Black Line. I don't know if it is sold in the USA. Its headstock both slides and swivels. I find that the only reason I need the slide feature is to make room for the tool rest on the left side of the headstock to turn large discs with the headstock turned 90 degrees. But it's not essential because I could swivel the headstock to the far side of the bed, swing the tool rest round and work on that side instead.

I consider a short bed or equivalent essential for bowls to save bending. With the swivel, the lathe is as convenient to use as a short bed. If I need the tailstock I can just turn the headstock back straight on the long bed. I don't normally use the tailstock for hollowing. To make the lathe into a short bed I could either slide the headstock to the right or swivel it 180 degrees. The advantage of the swivel over a shortbed is that I don't need working space at the end of the bed.

One good thing about the sliding headstock is that I can position it a few inches along the bed. That keeps the lathe stand out of the way of my foot.
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Great feedback, Terry. I haven't quite got the money together for the Magma (still...) but it's a very well respected lathe.

In the US, delivery was quoted to me by air freighter from Germany, and somehow or other it wasn't much more expensive than standard ground shipping.

If only my allowance was a little more...hopefully soon! Although the non-sliding and non-pivoting Vicmarc VL600 also sounds exceptional and enticing with such great clearance...
 
Terry, I have checked out the Magma Black Titan as much as I could and it is difficult at least to get one here to the States--that having been said, I like it very much--the longer quill in the tailstock is super smart, as is the design of the headstock, and this swiveling model definitely has my attention--I am wondering if I could be a US dealer for Magma??? So thanks for the input for sure sir!
 
Don C Davis said:
Terry, I have checked out the Magma Black Titan as much as I could and it is difficult at least to get one here to the States--that having been said, I like it very much--the longer quill in the tailstock is super smart, as is the design of the headstock, and this swiveling model definitely has my attention--I am wondering if I could be a US dealer for Magma??? So thanks for the input for sure sir!
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Another thing to add to cost.....magna lathe made to run on European electrical system.....i suppose you can find a converter hopefully would not need to rewire to u.s. specs.....bolts and nuts of course metric.....lots of choices
 
forgot to mention currency conversion.....add 15 % for $ to €
add 30 % for $ to £.....
 
before committing to anything overseas as a dealer need to find out what President Trump is going to do on tariffs....course he may change his mind a couple times
 
charlie knighton said:
magna lathe made to run on European electrical system...
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You'd have to check with the maker, and I can't say much about the electrics. But the inverter is a separate unit on a support arm and it might not be too difficult to change it. I like that I can program it to get ramp speeds and minimum speeds that I want. I've set the speed dial down to zero. Very good for slow speed sanding. It has a switch to toggle between slower and faster ramp. It has two pulleys. With a 3 HP motor, it's normally on the higher speed range. I have the older model with a welded steel bed, I think the newer one is cast iron.

I do like the tailstock, it's very solid. Also the 40 mm toolpost stem, though the extra long toolrest still needs support. I put a wooden strut down to the floor to brace it. The indexing system is easy to use. The spindle lock engages instantly - no need to find the location for it - a small thing, but very user-friendly.
 
it's about volts and amps.....to run a computer or hairdryer made for USA market in Europe or united kingdom or vise versa you have to have a converter.....and if it's 3 hp motor bound to be bigger than one for hairdryer

Terry I see you are from England
 

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Check out www.uk-yankee.com

Go to moving to u.k.

Then go to electronics compatibility
 
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An acquaintence bought a Black Line titan a few years ago. The factory built to US specs, and arranged all shipping. Wasn’t inexpensive, but it was going to be his last lathe. He past away a while back and left it to his club to sell...never heard what it brought on the used market, but a very nicely put together machine.
 
Well, after all my desire for 3 HP, I decided to go with a Vicmarc Vl-240, which is a 2 HP rig. I liked that it had the pivoting headstock, which I think can eliminate my bending over issue with hollowing bowls--my Vicmarc contact told me that unless I was dead set on turning 20"+ bowls, he didn't think it was worth the extra $ for the 300--the 240 only has a 19.29" swing--which I think will be enough to satisfy me--at this point I have learned to never say never--I still would probably buy a Magma Black Titan if I can figure out how to ship one here reasonably.....anyway, I appreciate all the feedback, I'll post an assessment on the Vicmarc when it gets here and I get a chance to turn on it some.

Regards--Don
 
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Lathes are a lot like chucks you can never have too many, a small lathe for smaller projects and a large lathe for the bigger projects. When I was turning a large number of pieces I had (2) identical lathes that used the same tools and accessories, this allowed me to work on several projects at the same time and leave them on the lathe while I was working another project on the other lathe while waiting for glue or epoxy to setup or finish to dry.
 
Don C Davis said:
Well, after all my desire for 3 HP, I decided to go with a Vicmarc Vl-240, which is a 2 HP rig. I liked that it had the pivoting headstock, which I think can eliminate my bending over issue with hollowing bowls--my Vicmarc contact told me that unless I was dead set on turning 20"+ bowls, he didn't think it was worth the extra $ for the 300--the 240 only has a 19.29" swing--which I think will be enough to satisfy me--at this point I have learned to never say never--I still would probably buy a Magma Black Titan if I can figure out how to ship one here reasonably.....anyway, I appreciate all the feedback, I'll post an assessment on the Vicmarc when it gets here and I get a chance to turn on it some.

Regards--Don
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Don.......I'm particularly interested in your analysis of the VL240 lathe. If you have tool rests that are 1" diameter post, I'd also like to know how well they adapt to the 30mm banjo. For me, the swivel headstock is very appealing, because it allows the turner to brace his hips on the bedways, similarly to a fixed headstock lathe.

Thanks in advance for your telling us about this lathe.....:D

-----odie-----
 
Don C Davis said:
Well, after all my desire for 3 HP, I decided to go with a Vicmarc Vl-240, which is a 2 HP rig. I liked that it had the pivoting headstock, which I think can eliminate my bending over issue with hollowing bowls--my Vicmarc contact told me that unless I was dead set on turning 20"+ bowls, he didn't think it was worth the extra $ for the 300--the 240 only has a 19.29" swing--which I think will be enough to satisfy me--at this point I have learned to never say never--I still would probably buy a Magma Black Titan if I can figure out how to ship one here reasonably.....anyway, I appreciate all the feedback, I'll post an assessment on the Vicmarc when it gets here and I get a chance to turn on it some.

Regards--Don
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Just one consideration Don that I've learned from turning on a 16" swing lathe for too long. It isn't just about swing over the bed...for convenience, swing over the banjo is worth considering if you plan to turn a lot. When your banjo is two inches high, you might as well subtract four inches from the swing for convenience. Granted: I turn full-time and I'm fussy. Others will likely see this issue differently.

As for Titan, they airfreight, and last time I talked with Martin at the beginning of the year, it was under a thousand to fly the lathe to the west coast. If you're still interested, shoot him an email: martin@magma-tools.at

That said, the VL-240 looks like an outstanding lathe.
 
I saw a Vicmarc VL240 at SWAT two or three years ago. I believe that it was in the Woodworkers Emporium booth. My impression was that it's very well built and sturdy. I think that 2 HP is more than adequate even for coring if you ever want to do that.

Like Odie, I'm interested in learning what you think about the swiveling headstock ... not that I'm thinking about getting one, but just curious. My first lathe (Delta 1440 Iron Bed) had that feature, but it wasn't exactly what I would call a stellar performer. I think that the swivel feature might be most useful for doing the interior of a bowl after you first shape the exterior between centers and create a tenon for the chuck.

BTW, it is possible in many cases to position the banjo for exterior shaping without it restricting the swing over the bed. Even though the swing on my lathe is 25½", I've only turned three bowls over 18" diameter. It's really hard to find enough space in most homes that will accommodate something that large.
 
Woodworkers emporium from Las Vegas has had some version or 2 vicmarks at SWAT for the last few year’s. Stuart Batty does demos in their booth on a Vicmark. If you van make it to SWAT then you not only get to see 5he lathe, you can ask Stuart what he thinks of the lathe
 
Zach, I have spoken to Martin and it was gonna cost just under 2k to get a Titan to me---no bueno! Odie, I spoke to Vicmarc directly, and he said they ship 'sleeves' with the lathes they ship to the US-and they will allow a 1" post tool rest to be used and work great. I spoke at length about coring and the Vicmarc fella said he thought the 2 HP motor would handle it without issue. We also talked about pivoting the headstock to hollow out a bowl, and he said if it would clear the bed, than it would work if I pivoted the headstock to 30 or even 60 degrees. He also told me-as did Woodworkers Emporium-that their electrical variable speed drive delivered like 200% power/ torque in low speed, so it should power through just about anything I face with it--it has 500 mm swing as opposed to the 490 that is listed which is 19.68" so I'm hoping that this will satisfy my desire of turning some larger bowls. I've learned to never say never when it comes to lathes though.

A big BTW, Laguna was superb in their customer service--they offered to send me a new quill for the tailstock, and a new Headstock to address the wacky speed control issues and the stalling out issue. I wouldn't hesitate to try one again based on my experience with their customer service--but I had basically made up my mind to try a different lathe--so my Revo is sailing away....
 
Dean Center said:
That must be 'over-the-pole' shipping. Maybe a Frankfort to Seoul flight and they push it out with a giant parachute when it's over your house.
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I think that the parachute is only available if you upgrade to Airborne Ranger deluxe shipping.
 
[QUOTE=" I spoke at length about coring and the Vicmarc fella said he thought the 2 HP motor would handle it without issue. We also talked about pivoting the headstock to hollow out a bowl, and he said if it would clear the bed, than it would work if I pivoted the headstock to 30 or even 60 degrees. He also told me-as did Woodworkers Emporium-that their electrical variable speed drive delivered like 200% power/ torque in low speed, so it should power through just about anything I face with it--it has 500 mm swing as opposed to the 490 that is listed which is 19.68" so I'm hoping that this will satisfy my desire of turning some larger bowls. I've learned to never say never when it comes to lathes though..[/QUOTE]

The lathe I turn on is a VL300 long bed with a 1.5 KW motor (2hp)
I’ve done a lot of coring on this lathe using a OneWay easy core system, the older VL300s have a 3 step pulley as does mine (2008 model) the majority of my coring is done on the middle pulley setting, however when I need to core larger than 18” diameter then I will generally set the belt on the lower belt setting for the added torque.
 
John, that's good to know, my 240 will have 3 pulleys as well-- real world users offering direct feedback is great--Thank you.

Dean and Bill, besides being handicapped and having no use of my feet and ankles--I don't think I qualify for anything involving a parachute--being 5'11" and 260 I'm usually over the recommended weight limit for just about everything :rolleyes:
 
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