Vicmarc 300 2HP vs 3HP

[Bruce Wallace]

Has anyone had the chance to work with the Vicmarc VL300 long bed 2HP and 3 HP?

I have a chance to buy a good lathe while the wife is in a good mood, I can buy either one of these lathes brand new but there is a cost difference of $1500.

Can anyone tell me if the extra power is worth the extra bucks?

I have looked at the Vicmarc VL300, Oneway 2436 and Powermatic 3520B as I can easily obtain them and they are all good quality and recommended by current owners. Oneways are out of my budget and the Powermatic is the same cost as the 2HP Vicmarc.

With any luck I will make my decision soon and have a lathe in my shop within a month.

Thanks for everyones input.

 

[Odie]

I'm surprised nobody with a Vicmarc has responded to your question, Bruce......

I don't have a Vicmarc, but I've got some thoughts on the 2hp vs 3hp issue.

If it were me, I would feel satisfied with the 2hp......but, I realize that you are NOT me!

If you are planning on putting great big monster pieces of wood on your lathe......by all means, get the 3hp.

At one time, I used to bog down my 1 1/2hp motor when hogging out the interior of a bowl.....I don't anymore, because I no longer consider it cool to get the maximum cut possible. What I do consider a product of good craftsmanship is tool control......and this will allow the user to get maximum efficiency without the need for overpowering the tool.

You will find the variable speed motors will produce less power at slower rpm's. This is seldom a problem unless......again.....you require more volume of cut than is necessary. For most of your needs, the very slow speeds are for sanding. There are times where very large, or very thin bowls will require very slow speeds for tool work, too. This is especially true if it's necessary to cut unsupported.

The final decision will be based on your particular needs.

ooc

 

[Dave Schell]

$1500 for 1HP more? Whoa

I put a 3HP in the Vicmarc VL300 I just built because it wasn't that much more expensive than a 2HP, but previously I had a Oneway 2436 with a 2HP and it turned big pieces just fine. I think it would be very hard to justify an additional $1500 for one additional HP. I would recommend the 2HP motor and worst case, later on you can easily upgrade to a 3HP yourself for about $250 for the motor and $250 for a bigger VFD (less what you get for your old motor and drive on ebay).

 

[Tom Lewis]

It depends on what you plan to do on the VL300. I have one with a 3hp motor. I have never used one with a 2hp so I can't compare the two.
I have cored some very large bowls and been glad I had the 3hp.

 

[Bruce Wallace]

New Lathe : )

Thanks for your input guys,

Odie, while you may not be me I do agree with you, it is better to handle the tools properly than to go crazy just becuase you have the power available.

I have spent a lot of time on the net reading posts from turners around the world to get a better idea of what is out there and what is working for others. There are probably way more people with lathes 2HP or less than there are with 3 or more, and from what I see most are very happy with what they have (particulairly the mustard monster owners) even if they dream of the big Oneways or such.

The cost difference is the factor I just could not get past, after all I can now justify buying some new tools

I must say that I was surprised that there wasn't more responses but this is not a new topic just a new thread. I thank you guys for your two cents, it helps to get other peoples opinions from time to time.

Now I just get to dream and sit nervously twiddleing my thumbs until it arrives, I have 2 weeks to clean the spot in the shop, becuase it won't stay that way for long once it arrives.

 

[CBSears]

Being down here in the States, I don't believe we have the option of a 2HP Vicmarc, except to do as Dave did - which is to build his own. I've briefly turned on a 3HP Vicmarc and from that experience, coonsider it a super machine. I've also turned similarly large piece on the 2HP mustard and, from that experience, believe it should be just fine for my purposes.

Good luck with your choice...

 

[Wyatt Holm]

I have the vl300 3hp I really like it. If the extra hp is worth it is up to you. If you turn big things you will need it. I am glad that I have it. I also have longbed, and I like that quite well, just slide the tailstock out of the way instead of take it off.
P.S. I would rather my vl300 over a Oneway or Robust, but you can think and like what you want.