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Vicmarc mini lathes

Jerry,

Are you talking about the 150 mini lathe. I have never heard of a 175. I know a couple of people who own the 150 and really like them. I don't own one so I am passing second hand information. Very well built like all Vicmarc products, I have turned on my friends 150.
 
Yes, sorry I meant the Vicmarc 150. I have a Delta mini lathe now and I was just wondering if purchasing the Vicmarc was much of an upgrade. The machine costs over $2,000 and no store int he USA seems to sell them, so I was curious to hear from anyone who owns the 150. Jerry
 
Doesn't Christian at Woodworkers Emporium sell them? The fit and finish is better than any other Mini lathe I have seen. Having said that I would say for $2000 you can find another nice lathe with more size capacity. This is assuming you are keeping it in your shop. If you are looking for a lathe to take with you when traveling then I would say yes it is worth it.
 
Dale,

I went to see Christian. He told me that he once had a Vicmarc mini lathe in stock, and it took him over a year to sell it because it was so expensive, at about $2,500, for that size lathe. I am somewhat reluctant to buy a lathe that is only sold at one place in the USA, and that one place does not even have any o these lathes in stock to view. He has no plans rot restock the lathe.

I do not have much room in my garage to house a big lathe, and I really do not need to make bowls larger than 12 inches in diameter. I just want a high quality smaller lathe that I can put on rollers and move to the side of my garage when I am through turning. Since I am only 5'7" tall and 66 years old, all the full size lathes, except for the Robust, which has adjustable legs, are too tall for me and too heavy for me to move. Robust makes a real nice short bed and smaller height lathe, called the Sweet 16, that I could buy. However, it costs nearly $7,000 out the door, plus shipping.

There are some problems with my Delta mini lathe. Although the quality and power are OK, the tailstock locking mechanism is small, so it won't stay put and the tool rest post is only 5/8" thick, so it does not hold well.

I see many ads for large lathes that are being sold by "older" folks who have to downsize. Are the manufacturers missing a niche market for sales to older people who want a quality lathe? Even Oneway stopped making their 10-18 lathe, perhaps for a lack of demand. All the small lathes are made overseas.

I wonder if I am the only "senior" citizen who thinks this way?

Jerry
 
Jerry

The ONEWAY 1224 is a sweet machine and it basically replaced the 1018 in the ONEWAY line
I have done quite a few demos on this machine including bowls and hollow forms.
It will turn anything you can fit on it.

The Jet 1221vs is a real nice midi class that has a lot of big lathe features.
I have done a few demo in this machine too.

I own a 1018 and jet 1221vs that are used mostly in classes.
I have carried the jet to a couple of demos.

I like the ONEWAY more because of the locking on the tailstock and banjo, the controls, and the overall smoothness of operation.
The Jet is top of the class in machines under a $1,000

Al
 
Not what you are looking for but here goes. 1) If height is your only problem you can build a lower stand and place the larger lathe on it with the stand on wheels. 2) if mobility is a primary you can put wheels on most of the $2000 lathes and use a platform to raise your height to working level.
Just a thought as like most I would not pay $2000 for a small lathe.
 
Now I understand what you are trying to accomplish. I didn't know that about Christian (great guy) no longer stocking it. Is Craft Supplies not stocking it either? Al mentioned the oneway 1224 which is a nice machine and he also mentioned the Jet 1224 in which they are decent but not finished as nice as the vicmarc or oneway. I have a friend who was selling his Oneway 1224 awhile back. I can check with him, if you are interested, to see if he still has it. He has four lathes and he is now 76 and wanting to thin them out and he is slowing down.
 
I will ask him. I spoke with him last week and he still has it. He has soon health issues so he wants to thin his tools. He owns four lathes and never uses the 1224. It is like brand new.
 
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