i'm interested in purchasing a heavy duty lathe and am curious if anyone has feedback about the Serious SL2542 Wood Lathe. i know the VB 36 is a well thought out and built machine, the Serious seems the same, and thoughts?
The VB36 is a nightmare-I wouldn't take a truckload of them in exchange for my Stubby, or a Robust. It would be hard to go wrong with the Robust suggestion-a very good lathe with a fine man/small American business supporting it.
John
David
I've looked and played with both. For my needs the VB was too restrictive. The Serious is a good lathe, and it as heavy as one can imagine. My buy, between the two, would be the Serious.
That being said, if I was looking, my preference would be the American Beauty from Robust.
FYI, Serious is "local" for Robo, and he went with Robust.
I'd be interested in hearing a little elaboration on why you two wouldn't have a VB36. I'm not interested in buying one, but just curious about the perceived drawbacks.......if you please.
ooc
All, I happen to be a lucky turner that owns both a VB36 and a Serious lathe. To start with, I bought the Serious many years after owning the VB. These are both terrific tools. That said, they are TOOLS. They are only as good as the turner that uses them, and for the purpose they are best designed for. The VB is a BOWL lathe. Does other things if you want, but primarily is a large BOWL lathe ! The Serious is a HEAVY, full bedded standard design super multipurpose lathe, with huge range and equal temperament regardless of the task it is assigned.
First, as to comparisons of the Serious to other lathes, like the Robust, the are not in the same ball park. The Serious is a REALLY heavy lathe, full bedded, large enough throw for most turners. The comparisons here are ONLY, in my opinion, to the largest Oneway. None of the others mentioned even compares in stability and weight. THOSE parameters translate into smooth and powerful turning ! I have turned on the Oneway, and I think the Serious is a better lathe and, especially, a better VALUE. Solid, Smooth, Powerful, Handles like a Ferrari, but not as temperamental ! I use the Serious ANYTIME my throw allows me inboard. I too, do not favor outboard turning...
As to the VB, obviously I go to it when I have a larger turning. I do have the large tailstock, set up to remove easily, on it's own set of wheels, using it when I can, removing it whenever it is not needed. I turn large (36" +) full Aussie burl caps on the VB. In stock configuration, I have had problems with overloading the "resistance measure" of the inverter and having stalls without jams. That said I am an aggressive turner, and roughing out large burls is an interesting process ! The VB has huge capability, is easy to use, but is antiquated by todays standards regarding it's electronics and controls. Once you accept that, it is a great lathe for what it was intended: LARGE BOWLS !
Some other notes: the VB36 MUST be bolted down to be used as a full out bowl lathe. The Serious can sit forever and never budge, even with out of round or off center work, unbolted, on its supper heavy frame. Cast iron is amazing for weight and vibration absorption and the Serious has it by 1300 or so pounds worth ! The Serious has built in HUGE retractable wheels, and can be rolled as needed in and out of work locations. For me, I can roll it out a shop door and turn outdoors in good weather! Very cool, given my Inland Northwest, and not California, Arizona, or Hawaii, location !
So all in all, let's try to not compare apples and oranges. I's advise a serious look (sorry) at your intended turning goals and then pick a machine that is best at that purpose. In my opinion, the Serious is the best normal bed, full size lathe out there, bar none, and the VB is a good, hard worker, but of value ONLY if you intend to turn huge pieces.
Money and bang for the buck ? Boy, have at it. All this big machines are costly, and my VB is "pre current market prices" and the look see at current is impressive ! Because of the size and weight of what I turn, I am in the process of converting my VB to 4HP, a new, less finicky, inverter and some updated electronic controls. I think I will be happy with it then, and it will be a monster. The Serious has got to be one of the best values out there for a full size lathe. As to owners of the company, I want to say you are buying a lathe, and it should run straight up, without needing service or questions to the owners ! None the less, I certainly appreciate the concept of down to earth, responsible owners of companies, and can easily say Tom and Scott at Serious meet that definition and more ! VB has most Stateside issues running through it's US distributor, who does a great job of helping with questions and spare parts and the like. Like I said, though, a lathe should be Plug and Play !
Again, all my opinion, but I have put my money where my mouth is!
I don't believe he "Reps" for that company any more.
John, please forgive me for jumping to such an inaccurate conclusion. I simply clicked on your website link under your name and clicked on the “Stubby†link at the top of your home page. It sure appeared as if you had some sort of relationship with the Stubby folks. As such, I felt it was inappropriate to be so harsh in your assessment of another company’s product. At the very least, I didn’t feel like this was an appropriate place for you, an AAW “Life Time Memberâ€, to express such a negative review.
I turned on a VB as I thought that was what I wanted. After using it for about 5 minutes I knew it was exactly what I didn't want. Due to the height of the spindle I would've had to build a platform around the lathe to stand on to be at a comfortable height and I'm 5'10. I ended up going with the lathe I really wasn't considering until I tried it out, the Stubby. Most comfortable lathe for me. Passed on a used VB that at the time was under $5k with all the goodies(about 6 years ago). It really looked nice and was a great deal but I wouldn't have been happy. Never had the opportunity to turn on a Serious and my small shop wouldn't hold it anyway.
Lathes are like cars, most people like the good ones. I wouldn't trade any of them for my long bed Austrailian Vicmarc VL 300. Sweet machine.
Ok
... I have a lead an a lightly used VL300 long bed with the 3hp motor along with a VL100 4 chucks (Vicmark) the Oval chuck all his turning tools accessories etc. etc. for less than the cost of an American Beauty.
If any of you had this choice which way would you go[?]...
As to a lot of the extras that are included such as the oval chuck and even the extra chucks and turning tools themselves I really don't need them as I already have 6 Nova chucks with the full range of Nova jaws, and most all the turning tools I need so I'll be looking at selling most of these items off if I do go for this deal.
Does / would that change opinions?
John