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VB36 Lathes

W

Wponthi

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Aug 20, 2007
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I am thinking about buying a VB36. I have requested the information package and would like to see one in person. Is there anyone in east Texas or Louisianna that has one that would be willing to let me come and visit and see it in action? Thanks, Wilbert Ponthieux.
 
Wilber: A fellow East Texas Woodturners club member has a VB-36 if Longview is close enough for you. I'll contact him and see if he's agreeable to having you over - I can't imagine that he wouldn't be. Private EMail me and I'll get you two hooked if he agrees.
heuslein@earthlink.net
Put "Woodturning" in the Subject box or I'll not recognize it and will not accept it. - Ed
 
there is a used VB36 on the woodcentral site ( I think that is where I saw it!). Good deal too. I hate to even bring this up BUT.... I have recently been told the VB is an awesome machine. There is no doubt about that. With that said, I was also told by someone who turns 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week and actually owns a VB, that it is not a good production machine. He spends his time on a Vicmarc rather than the VB. I think this is due to the heating up of the machine and the protection built in to it (all nice lathes) that shuts it down when it gets hot. It is my understanding that a motor is designed with intentions that it will not spend too much time under a high load at low RPM's. Big ol bowls are a big load and turned at low speeds. This generates a lot of heat in the motor and the motor will shut itself down. Not a big deal and a hell of a nice feature but you have to unplug the machine and plug it back in. You may even have to let it cool down. So, this is not a problem for most people I guess but if you do want to do production bowl turning this is something I would check in to. It was explained to me by saying a 3250 rpm motor does not like to run at 325 (or 10% of RPM) for too long, a 1750 rpm motor does not like 175 or less rpm's for too long, etc.... Again, this is not my personal experience but is from a very good source and just something I thought I would pass on. Apparently the Vicmarc does not have this problem (the craft supplies version anyway.. not sure about the aussie version). thats all. I am sure there will be many thoughts on this!! 😉
 
Terry Daniels is the one selling the VB36. He's used it a lot doing production turning and some very big bowls. I don't think I've ever heard him complain about it's performance. He's not doing turning full time now and thinks he can get by with the Vicmarc 300 that he also owns. I can probably put you in touch with him if you contact me.
 
Hot Motors

Peter Skellenger said:
there is a used VB36 on the woodcentral site ( I think that is where I saw it!). Good deal too. I hate to even bring this up BUT.... I have recently been told the VB is an awesome machine. There is no doubt about that. With that said, I was also told by someone who turns 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week and actually owns a VB, that it is not a good production machine. He spends his time on a Vicmarc rather than the VB. I think this is due to the heating up of the machine and the protection built in to it (all nice lathes) that shuts it down when it gets hot. It is my understanding that a motor is designed with intentions that it will not spend too much time under a high load at low RPM's. Big ol bowls are a big load and turned at low speeds. This generates a lot of heat in the motor and the motor will shut itself down. Not a big deal and a hell of a nice feature but you have to unplug the machine and plug it back in. You may even have to let it cool down. So, this is not a problem for most people I guess but if you do want to do production bowl turning this is something I would check in to. It was explained to me by saying a 3250 rpm motor does not like to run at 325 (or 10% of RPM) for too long, a 1750 rpm motor does not like 175 or less rpm's for too long, etc.... Again, this is not my personal experience but is from a very good source and just something I thought I would pass on. Apparently the Vicmarc does not have this problem (the craft supplies version anyway.. not sure about the aussie version). thats all. I am sure there will be many thoughts on this!! 😉
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Any TEFC motor will over heat if run at slow speeds for a period because less RPM means less cooling air through the fan coupled with warmer wiring inside the motor; doesn't take long for the thermal override to wake up. You can, however, install a secondary 110v 6" or 8" muffin fan like those used to cool stereo cabinets. Wire it into the motor circuit before the VFD on a separate on/off switch, set it to blow on your motor housing, and you'll run slow and strong all day long.

mm
 
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I can't help you with a VB-36 but if you would ever like a test drive on a Robust 25 I can help you there.🙂 I live in Spring Texas.
 
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