Hi Adam, I'm very happy to hear about the non-issue of the Vicmarc tailstock. Phew!
A year 2000 model, only one year older than mine was, and on the factory stand. And 2 years older than my remaining VL200 (same machine, just 16" rather than 24" capacity). Overall, from the photos it's looking very good, but being in the Hawaiian atmosphere, and 25 years old, I think I'd pull everything apart and give all the fitments a good steel wool polishing for the surface corrosion, followed by regular wipe-downs with a quality spray lube/anti-corrosion material like Boeshield T-9. Have the bearings and belt ever been serviced/replaced? If not, that may be warranted by now, too. Purusing the web yesterday for more spindle bearing advice to go along with the Vicmarc video I previously linked, here is a discussion thread from another forum about replacing bearings and bearing races on a 1999 VL300. You may not need to be this intense about it, but it may be a good thread to save.
Looking for headstock bearings for my VL300 longbed (1999) due to some noises im getting from it. Have spoken with vicmarc last year but as theyre closed until 30th Jan i wanted to ask if anyone has bought them from a reseller online anywhere so i can place an order whilst taking it all apart...
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I can't speak to the electricals, but they are one of those "run 'em 'til they die" sort of things. But, VFD controllers are much more affordable now than they were back then. Is the motor a 3-phase with inverter? Back then, Craft Supplies (not where yours came from, apparently) built them up with Leeson DC motors and drives, I don't know what the Vicmarc factory shipped them with, probably 3-phase with inverter. I do know Vicmarc would love to help you keep that machine in service, so call on them if needed. I'd also ask if a remote on/off/speed control switch is available so you can control it separately from that shin bone/kneecap controller location. The red emergency knee bar shut off is nice to see.
I never turned outboard, so I can't help there, other than offering that the spindle is most likely reverse (left-hand) threaded on the outboard side, so you'd need an adapter for chucks and faceplates. And, chucks will need to lock down into that groove next to the threads with grub screws/set screws on the chuck, to keep it from spinning off while decelerating. The inboard 24" was more capacity than I ever needed, therefore my outboard handwheel had never been removed. Again, I'd reach out to Vicmarc directly if you get no advice here.
From what I've learned from your posts, the Vicmarc looks like a solid contender for you if you're willing to show it a little TLC up front. I can't see why it wouldn't provide another 25 years, or more, of service. Treat it with love and it'll return the favor.
And full disclosure- I only, ONLY sold my VL300 because as I built it, it took up a huge part of my small shop and I wanted the space for other woodworking adventures. And frankly, I hadn't used even 50% of its swing capacity in many years. My smaller VL200 was meeting all my needs, so I found a new, loving home for my VL300 with someone who wanted to turn much larger work than I was doing. Sentimentally speaking, I really do miss having it, but I know it's in a much better home now being used to its full capacity.
