I am in search of some honest advice as i have been unable to find an opportunity to try either in person. I am in the market for a serious lathe upgrade and need some help in comparing my top choices. I have narrowed it down to either the Vicmarc Vl300 with outboard tool post from Woodworker's Emporium or a 3hp Oneway 2416 with large swing outboard setup. Both same hp, both "short bed" lathes, both fixed headstocks with outboard capabilities.
I turned my first bowl in 2003, and instantly fell in love with it. I spent a few years turning bowls for a local shop which had a 20" and 24" PM, and now have a part time bowl turning business that is doing well. When i started my business, i got a Laguna REVO 18/36. I've had it for just over 2 years, and i am ready to upgrade it as i am consistently pushing it beyond its limits. I like to turn large, out of balanced, green hardwood bowls. I also have turned some large outboard wall medallions, some with carved logos for local shops, that were close to 30" in diameter and would like to explore doing more of that kind of work.
Given all that background, i am looking for a strong compact shortbed/ fixed headstock lathe that can handle the kind of work i do. I like features of both, but i lack the real world experience of using either. I tend to turn at slower speeds than some, but i am looking for a lathe that is strong, quiet, vibration free, and either easy to work on or phenomenal cs when it comes to repairs or maintenance. Is the Oneway smooth and quiet? Can the VL300 handle large out of balanced bowl blanks? Why is it, that most of the world renowned bowl turners use Vicmarc?
Given my personal experiences, i am sold on a fixed headstock. For logistical reasons of transport and service, i have ruled out ordering from outside the North American market for a VB36 or Stubby S1000, which would otherwise be top considerations of mine.
I should also add, as a rather important aside, my shop is currently in my basement. It has double carriage doors to the back yard, but is a steep grade from street level to the doors. So, would one be easier to disassemble and hand cart down the hill to the walk out basement? More importantly, would one be next to impossible to get in the shop? ...i was able to handcart a 600lb IR air compressor down there, for comparison sake.
Thank you so much!
I turned my first bowl in 2003, and instantly fell in love with it. I spent a few years turning bowls for a local shop which had a 20" and 24" PM, and now have a part time bowl turning business that is doing well. When i started my business, i got a Laguna REVO 18/36. I've had it for just over 2 years, and i am ready to upgrade it as i am consistently pushing it beyond its limits. I like to turn large, out of balanced, green hardwood bowls. I also have turned some large outboard wall medallions, some with carved logos for local shops, that were close to 30" in diameter and would like to explore doing more of that kind of work.
Given all that background, i am looking for a strong compact shortbed/ fixed headstock lathe that can handle the kind of work i do. I like features of both, but i lack the real world experience of using either. I tend to turn at slower speeds than some, but i am looking for a lathe that is strong, quiet, vibration free, and either easy to work on or phenomenal cs when it comes to repairs or maintenance. Is the Oneway smooth and quiet? Can the VL300 handle large out of balanced bowl blanks? Why is it, that most of the world renowned bowl turners use Vicmarc?
Given my personal experiences, i am sold on a fixed headstock. For logistical reasons of transport and service, i have ruled out ordering from outside the North American market for a VB36 or Stubby S1000, which would otherwise be top considerations of mine.
I should also add, as a rather important aside, my shop is currently in my basement. It has double carriage doors to the back yard, but is a steep grade from street level to the doors. So, would one be easier to disassemble and hand cart down the hill to the walk out basement? More importantly, would one be next to impossible to get in the shop? ...i was able to handcart a 600lb IR air compressor down there, for comparison sake.
Thank you so much!