Stratos xl lathes

[Tom Gall]

Some times it is good to follow the herd, some times not. The trick is to figure out when to branch out....

robo hippy

And, ... try not to be the last one at the back of the herd. They're the first to be caught and eaten!!!

 

[Kevin Thomason]

Lars
Please send me the contact information for the German suppliers, it will much appreciated.

 

[hockenbery]

And, ... try not to be the last one at the back of the herd. They're the first to be caught and eaten!!!

Also if you are last the view is always the same and walking conditions leave much to be desired.

 

[robo hippy]

Some times the strong would stay in the back to protect the herd, and would do serious ass kicking if any thing tried....

robo hippy

 

[Kevin Thomason]

@ Kevin:
The woodturning scene in Germany counts a lot of very competent woodturners, both skilled craftsmen and dedicated hobby turners. The Stratos has got a lot of praise on German woodturning fora. I know of a few being sold here in DK, too.
I can recommend a German dealer or two if that is any help. Their sales people normally read and make themselves understood in English.

Lars
If you could send me the contact information fot the German dealers, it would be much appreciated

Kevin

 

[Lars Hansen]

Done.

 

[Kevin Thomason]

Done.

Thank You
I will contact them and see if they ship to Portugal or if they have a distributor there.

Thank you again
Kevin

 

[Doug Freeman]

I don't think I'll ever have a use for swivel head lathe, as I really do not want to turn huge bowls , so if I get a 18" swing lathe, it'll be way more than enough for me. So, it may not necessarily be the Herd (I learned quickly that what works for everybody else may not be for me, so I take any Herd-Think with a grain of salt these days anyway) I'm sure if I were to have a dozen different AAW instructors try and work with me, I'd be pulled in a dozen different directions as to what is the "Right Way" to do things...

The primary advantages of a pivot HS are ergonomics, project accessibility, and required footprint. Being able to turn large dia items is also a benefit.

Ergonomics - the TS does not to be removed, nor the HS and banjo slid down. Just pivot the HS, align the toolrest, and go. No reaching or bending over the bed - the same as sliding the HS down. Full access to sand and/or apply finish, no bed in the way, no drips to clean off the bed.

Footprint - no TS storage/table needed. In the case of the Nova lathes, the outrigger takes ~ 5” of length, no width.

Yes it does provide the option to turn larger, which I have taken advantage of, and does not require a clunky floor supported tool rest.

 

[Omer Klee]

I was recently doing some search for local dealers of the vl240, and the closest I could find is in Canada.

VL240 ASM EVS 2HP | Branches to Bowls

The VL240 Lathes have a swivel head feature which allows for the headstock to turn its normal straight position out to 90 degrees. There are four individual pin-lock positions at increments of 22.5 degrees which aid in turner comfort when turning inside vessels and bowls. It has an accurate...

branchestobowls.com

-----odie-----

Bought my 240 from Branches to Bowls in Canada. I think it’s a great lathe for those wanting a swivel head. Head and tailstock have never lost alignment.

 

[Jake Gevorgian]

Lol, I think you are focusing too much on "herd" and not what Odie wanted to say

Does anyone know how to get this nice lathe to the US?

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

The swivel head lathe comment is only a small part of the whole equation, within the reasons the American woodturning community moves as a herd.

Those in the international community are more likely to see it.....simply because they don't have such a vast network of community that America does. Since I was such a secluded learner in my early days, this is why I have this particular vision that is absent from "herd think".

Those who aren't a part of the herd, in regard to this particular subject, are those who are most likely to see the forest, in spite of the trees!

This is not to say that "herd think" is a bad thing. There is plenty of learning that can be done within the perimeters it creates, but it does tend to limit the horizons that could have been.

-----odie-----

I understand what you are trying to say and agree to a point. I bought my Record Power lathe because it had a pivoting headstock. I had a lot of people on different forums try to talk me out of it and into what they have because it has a sliding headstock and is just as good or better. I think if they would ever try a pivoting headstock they would realize they don’t compare, the pivoting headstock is a lot easier and faster to change and use.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

The reason I was asking is that I am moving to Portugal this year

Kevin, I can’t comment on the lathe question, but on Portugal I can. We are just back from a three week trip to Portugal, first hiking through cork oak and eucalyptus forests, then along the coast, then a week in Lisbon. What a wonderful, friendly, delicious country. Fresh seafood cooked simply! I hope you are looking forward to moving there. Whenever we travel I say to myself “is this a place where I could imagine living?” Portugal definitely is. Have a wonderful experience! Bom dia!

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Does anyone know how to get this nice lathe to the US?

If you refer to the Vicmarc lathes, Branches to Bowls exports to the US.

 

[odie]

I understand what you are trying to say and agree to a point. I bought my Record Power lathe because it had a pivoting headstock. I had a lot of people on different forums try to talk me out of it and into what they have because it has a sliding headstock and is just as good or better. I think if they would ever try a pivoting headstock they would realize they don’t compare, the pivoting headstock is a lot easier and faster to change and use.

I remember when you were lathe shopping, Rusty. I was sure you and others would be happy with the rotating headstock. It's the only kind of lathe I will be interested in, when I make that decision.

I'm curious what you mean by "agree to a point". Is it that you don't see the restrictive nature of "herd think" in the American woodturning community......or, is it something else?

-----odie-----

 

[John Hicks]

Men of a certian age are experts on EVERYTHING!

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

I remember when you were lathe shopping, Rusty. I was sure you and others would be happy with the rotating headstock. It's the only kind of lathe I will be interested in, when I make that decision.

I'm curious what you mean by "agree to a point". Is it that you don't see the restrictive nature of "herd think" in the American woodturning community......or, is it something else?

-----odie-----

What I mean is I don’t lump everybody into a herd. There are just a lot of people that were talked into a sliding headstock by others that own them that really don’t know the difference. That is all they know so now that is what they recommend. Having used both I will never own a lathe without a pivoting headstock.

 

[Jake Gevorgian]

If you refer to the Vicmarc lathes, Branches to Bowls exports to the US.

I was asking about the Stratos XL. I saw a video, where the turner tilted the headstock, added an extra bed, which made it look like a T bed.
But now that I'm thinking, if my Woodfast lathe was struggling with the McNaughton, then maybe this pivoting headstock may do some wild things under a lot of pressure.

Going back to my roots---need a Vicmarc!

 

[Rusty Nesmith]

I was asking about the Stratos XL. I saw a video, where the turner tilted the headstock, added an extra bed, which made it look like a T bed.
But now that I'm thinking, if my Woodfast lathe was struggling with the McNaughton, then maybe this pivoting headstock may do some wild things under a lot of pressure.

Going back to my roots---need a Vicmarc!

I have a pivoting headstock lathe. It locks down tight. I think it will handle anything pivoted that it will lined up with the bed. Mine is able to turn 39” outboard. I have not done anything larger than around 22” but it handles that with no problem.

 

[odie]

What I mean is I don’t lump everybody into a herd. There are just a lot of people that were talked into a sliding headstock by others that own them that really don’t know the difference. That is all they know so now that is what they recommend. Having used both I will never own a lathe without a pivoting headstock.

OK, I understand your meaning now, Rusty. Thanks for responding.

Yes, I can agree that we can't lump everyone into "the herd". Many who don't realize it, and deny it.......are actually in the herd. That's problematic for the herd, as well as those who don't belong there. This is mainly because some of us see the entire woodturning community as a whole.....rather than from those "horse blinders" that are a result of subscribing to "herd think".

Your example of the movement within the herd about sliding headstocks, is a good indication of "herd think"......not withstanding that there are some examples of those who do benefit from a sliding headstock, when the advantages of that do indeed outweigh the benefits of a pivoting headstock. It's just that some people follow the herd, and never have exposure to alternative thought.....on this, as well as other aspects of woodturning. That's exactly where having a little more perspective increases one's horizons beyond what can be seen by wearing the horse blinders.

-----odie-----

 

[Michael Ogden]

As with the Stratos (not available in the US as far as I know), the Drechselmeister MIDI2 PLUS would likely be a really solid competitor for US-available MIDIs.

Drechselmeister - MIDI2 PLUS - Lathe

The MIDI 2 PLUS lathe is the successor to the proven MIDI 2.The

www.willyvanhoutte.com

 

[Bill T Tucker]

Perhaps we differ on a definition of new

Take a peak at Trent Bosch’s work. https://trentbosch.com/portfolio/
Google pascal Oudet

I did a few things I’ve never seen before but then I haven’t seen everything
View attachment 49344
View attachment 49342 View attachment 49343 View attachment 49345

Amazing...if I ever get down to your neck of the woods, sure would Love to visit!!

 

[Michael Beswick]

I have a Stratos (180). But I’m in the UK! It’s great for bowls as by rotating the head I can stand square on to the work (as opposed to leaning over it with arms partially extended) and the tool handle does not foul the bed. A bed extension can be attached at right angles to the bed way and with the headstock rotated the whole lot is balanced.

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

It’s great for bowls as by rotating the head I can stand square on to the work (as opposed to leaning over it with arms partially extended) and the tool handle does not foul the bed.

Back in the day it was common to have the rear of a lathe spindle threaded for bowl turning. I recall the Delta lathes in high school woodshop were that way with a free standing tool rest. That free standing tool rest may not have been the best, but it wouldn't be rocket science to fabricate something mounted securely to the lathe or its stand.

The rear end of the spindle would have a left hand thread so the workpiece would turn opposite to what turners are used to.

I don't know why that isn't on the newer lathes.

 

[hockenbery]

don't know why that isn't on the newer lathes.

It is on many lathes. Not needed on the sliding headstock machines

ONEWAY lathes have RH spindle threads on the outboard just switch to reverse for outboard
ONEWAY has a big outboard table and a giant banjo fo doing large work
A 17” bed on the outboard make a great shortbed for hollowing bowls or hollow forms.

The General 260 I had came with an outboard tool rest.

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

ONEWAY lathes have RH spindle threads on the outboard just switch to reverse for outboard
ONEWAY has a big outboard table and a giant banjo fo doing large work
A 17” bed on the outboard make a great shortbed for hollowing bowls or hollow forms.

I didn't realize that. About the only lathes I see are at Woodcraft or Rockler and they don't sell Oneway.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

as a newbie, I’ll be happy when I catch up to the herd. Learning by trial and error solo is no fun. I’m not ready to blaze new trails till I learn the established ones.

 

[Neil S]

.... I will never own a lathe without a pivoting headstock.

Ditto! That is, not since they became available.

Before that I turned outboard on the rear of the headstock, which all of my earlier Woodfast lathes had.

I do 98% of my turning outboard. Mostly, nothing to do with the size of the piece, but more to do with my back/neck. For me, outboard is a very comfortable position for turning bowls, platters and hollow forms.

If I didn't have my swivel head Woodfast, then down this side of the pond I would probably go with one of the swivel head models from Vicmarc or Nova. The Laguna is another option that some are also happy with down our way.