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Vb-36
- Thread starter squirrel
- Start date
One of the reasons that I went to the Portland AAW Symposium last summer was to check out the bigger lathes. I wanted to upgrade from my PM. The VB 36 is an impressive machine, very heavy duty, and I tend to prefer machines that are overbuilt rather than underbuilt. Some how, even with the extended rails for the tailstock, the VB 36 said 'Bowl Lathe' to me. I do turn some spindles. I opted for the Robust. If I was to win the Lottery, I would probably add a VB 36 to the shop as my second choice.
robo hippy
robo hippy
One of my fellow Mid-Maryland turner's, Dave Termini, has had one for several years and is quite pleased with it. His email is [FONT=Verdana, Arial]iwood@aol.com[/FONT] Myself, I prefer my Stubby - can turn up to 34" bowls and 36" spindles.[FONT=Verdana, Arial][/FONT]
You may want to contact Greg Jensen
gnjensen@cox.net
to hook up with a VB owner in your area, to have a test drive.
The UK Woodturning Magazine December 2002 Issue No. 118 has a detailed article about this lathe. Very impressive.
Gordon
gnjensen@cox.net
to hook up with a VB owner in your area, to have a test drive.
The UK Woodturning Magazine December 2002 Issue No. 118 has a detailed article about this lathe. Very impressive.
Gordon
Jude Kingery, and Terry Daniels are both owners of the VB. If I had a concrete floor in my shop, I probably would have one, also. I have turned on one.
They are awesome!
They are awesome!
Vb36
I have a VB36, it's wounderful, I've had mine for about 41/2 years. It was designed as a bowl lathe and thats what I turn on mine. I keep my first lathe a Jet 1236 for any spindle work I do, which is not much. (The odd rooling pin when asked for one)
I would recommend it anyone who turns mainly bowls & vessels.
Go for it. Call Greg Jenson
Nigel
I have a VB36, it's wounderful, I've had mine for about 41/2 years. It was designed as a bowl lathe and thats what I turn on mine. I keep my first lathe a Jet 1236 for any spindle work I do, which is not much. (The odd rooling pin when asked for one)
I would recommend it anyone who turns mainly bowls & vessels.
Go for it. Call Greg Jenson
Nigel
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I've only use one twice and never owned one so take this with a grain of salt. First and most important to me. I almost always start a bowl or hollow form between centers. I like being able to shift it slightly for better alignment of some feature.
Second, I found moving the tool rest to be cumbersome. Not a huge deal but certainly more inconvenient than my Powermatic.
It is extremely well built and powerful it just doesn't fit my needs.
Second, I found moving the tool rest to be cumbersome. Not a huge deal but certainly more inconvenient than my Powermatic.
It is extremely well built and powerful it just doesn't fit my needs.
I think it would be great to have, I have talked to any number of people professional and others. Most say it is not good for small turnings so if you get one make sure you keep your smaller one of some type to do smaller work.
Vb36
Like all lathes the vb36 has its good and bad points and it is not for everyone.
it took me a while to get used to mine because it is so differant from other lathes.
John, I do start some work between centers but once I've got the work how I want it I make a flat to put the face plate on and remount. As for the tool rest, if you do not loosen the part that slides in and out of the headstock body enough it is tough to move.
rjones, Small turnings can be done on the VB. I make small and large dia bowls on mine. I just use smaller chuck jaws.
Squirrel, On the negative side of the VB, not good for spindle work, but it was not designed for spindle work it's a bowl lathe.
Squirrel, if you would like to talk to me about the VB send me a private e-mail, I'll give you a phone #. If you live near me you are welcome to come visit.
I do not think that the vb is the best lathe on the market, I do think its the best bowl lathe out there
It's a matter of personal likes ans dislikes and what a person needs to get from a lathe
Nigel
Like all lathes the vb36 has its good and bad points and it is not for everyone.
it took me a while to get used to mine because it is so differant from other lathes.
John, I do start some work between centers but once I've got the work how I want it I make a flat to put the face plate on and remount. As for the tool rest, if you do not loosen the part that slides in and out of the headstock body enough it is tough to move.
rjones, Small turnings can be done on the VB. I make small and large dia bowls on mine. I just use smaller chuck jaws.
Squirrel, On the negative side of the VB, not good for spindle work, but it was not designed for spindle work it's a bowl lathe.
Squirrel, if you would like to talk to me about the VB send me a private e-mail, I'll give you a phone #. If you live near me you are welcome to come visit.
I do not think that the vb is the best lathe on the market, I do think its the best bowl lathe out there
It's a matter of personal likes ans dislikes and what a person needs to get from a lathe
Nigel
This not as common as Jet mini lathe. I hope you won't decide between a Chevy or Ford based on the third hand " I think", "I guess" opinions from those who has never driven anything but Honda and Toyota. Of course, I think VB is no Ford or Chevy.:cool2:
I've had mine for about four years - great machine. At times I wish it had more swing (without removing the tailstock assembly) and at times, I wish the spindle capacity were longer, but all and all, I'm quite happy with the performance.
reply on he VB-36
Thanks guys,
- I want to buy the vb in the first place for bowlturning.
For the moment I have a shortbed Harrison Graduate which can turn 25 inches. It is a very good machine although I think it will get used or will not have sufficient power to turn every day 25 inches products. It will get used very soon ... I can feel that. Also I want to turn some modern tables so I need to be able to turn double sizes. And now that I finally get free time to become a full-time turner - designer and ... the euro is very low compared to the English Pound .... I think it is a good opportunity to buy it at the moment.
- I want to buy the longbed VB because I want to use it also for some modern designs of tables ... although I fear, just as what is said in the forum, that it might be a bit short for spindlework. (I have to turn the legs)
I still have another machine for the few spindlework I have to do: a Sheppach lathe - good for small stuff.
- I also feared the headstock is a bit tough. Although I think the use of the Bennison adaptor makes it possible not to move it so often. No?
And I'm glad you write me that it is possible to loosen the part that goes in and out the tailstock. I'll try it (I got the machine in november). Hope it works!
- I do not have the occasion to try the VB because I'll be the first Belgian woodturner buying a VB and there is no dealer here.
- Stubby and Powermatic lathes?
We do not have this machines here on the market. A lot of Belgian turners work with Wivamac, Jet, Sheppach, heavy selfmade machines, and one or two work with a German machine or a Oneway.
So, I'll be the first.
Thanks for your replies!
Squirrel.
Thanks guys,
- I want to buy the vb in the first place for bowlturning.
For the moment I have a shortbed Harrison Graduate which can turn 25 inches. It is a very good machine although I think it will get used or will not have sufficient power to turn every day 25 inches products. It will get used very soon ... I can feel that. Also I want to turn some modern tables so I need to be able to turn double sizes. And now that I finally get free time to become a full-time turner - designer and ... the euro is very low compared to the English Pound .... I think it is a good opportunity to buy it at the moment.
- I want to buy the longbed VB because I want to use it also for some modern designs of tables ... although I fear, just as what is said in the forum, that it might be a bit short for spindlework. (I have to turn the legs)
I still have another machine for the few spindlework I have to do: a Sheppach lathe - good for small stuff.
- I also feared the headstock is a bit tough. Although I think the use of the Bennison adaptor makes it possible not to move it so often. No?
And I'm glad you write me that it is possible to loosen the part that goes in and out the tailstock. I'll try it (I got the machine in november). Hope it works!
- I do not have the occasion to try the VB because I'll be the first Belgian woodturner buying a VB and there is no dealer here.
- Stubby and Powermatic lathes?
We do not have this machines here on the market. A lot of Belgian turners work with Wivamac, Jet, Sheppach, heavy selfmade machines, and one or two work with a German machine or a Oneway.
So, I'll be the first.
Thanks for your replies!
Squirrel.
As a big decision is made, an effort to have hands on experience would be a good idea. I have a Oneway and if there is anything wrong with it, I have not discovered it. There are numerous accessories they make for it all of which are well made and well designed. There are many things I do on the Oneway that don't seem possible on other lathes.
Good luck with what ever you decide on.
Malcolm Smith.
Good luck with what ever you decide on.
Malcolm Smith.
Squirrel,
If you have Jet, then you have the PM 3520, or a white clone of it that they sell in Europe.
robo hippy
If you have Jet, then you have the PM 3520, or a white clone of it that they sell in Europe.
robo hippy