Robo, I looked at and have turned on a Vicmarc--very solid for sure, but honestly you are paying a lot for the name IMO--I absolutely could not justify the cost of one--same applies to Robust--they are super, and have a superior warranty, but honestly I don't think that a warranty is really a factor when you start really looking hard at lathes north of 4 K --IMO, you have to believe in certain things, like HP ratings and quality of materials, but other than stability and precision, I really don't know what else makes one lathe superior to another--of course certain functionality, like how the banjo works, and what size the through holes are in the tailstock/headstock, stop switches, indexing, bed adjustability, etc. may be of a specific preference--for example I really like the banjo and how the tool rest clamps on the Laguna--and I dislike the lack of a for real handwheel on the headstock, but that is something I decided I could live with--I also like the way the headstock spindle locks up on my Nova--but it doesn't please me on the Laguna, or the PM, and frankly I don't remember how it worked on the Vicmarcs or Robust's I've turned on--so I figure I'll just live with it, and remember I saved the 7-800 bucks when I am funking with the spindle lock on the Laguna--maybe I can even rig up a fixture that will keep it locked hands free some how----I am hoping this will be my best/last lathe I purchase--but I never say never....I shall see pretty soon!
