Vicmarc VL100, looking for data, user manual

[Fred Van Etten]

A friend was gifted an old and badly abused Vicmarc VL100 lathe. Nameplate shows serial number 644, manufactured in 1997, sold by CraftSupplies USA (stamped on the nameplate!). It looks like a “Frankenstein lathe” - see photo. Large motor cobbled onto the backend. If anyone has info on original motor specs, photos of an “intact VL100” and/or an owners manual or anything else that would help in rebuilding, I’d appreciate. I’ve suggested my friend email Vicmarc (their website has owners manuals but not for the VL100) and - long shot- CraftSuppliesUSA. He’s a new turner and not yet a member of any turning organizations. Thanks

 

[Wyatt Holm]

I have the catalog listing for it from a 1998 Craft Supplies Catalog. If you need replacement bearings or a spindle, branchestobowls.com has them.

 

[Fred Van Etten]

Wyatt - great info. Thanks.

 

[Steve Tiedman]

The Vicmarc VL100 is what every clone wished it could be. I should know- I replaced a Jet 1014 mini with the VL100. I built a bare lathe version with a 3/4hp Leeson DC motor and Minarik drive, a wonderful combo. I only sold it, regrettably, when my VL200 came into my life. I tracked it down a couple years ago, and it wasn't going to be let go. Fred, I hope you can restore it to its former glory.

 

[Bill Blasic]

Here are a couple of things to look at.

 

[Fred Van Etten]

Bill Blasic - many thanks.

 

[Bill Blasic]

My VL100 has a Leesom 1/4 HP motor and the Minarik drive, a great combo that has worked well for many many years.

 

[Fred Van Etten]

Bill Blasic,can you share a few photos of your setup? Either post here or direct to my email vanetten@yahoo.com. Thanks for your help. The manuals are a great step forward.

 

[Tom Gall]

A friend was gifted an old and badly abused Vicmarc VL100 lathe. Nameplate shows serial number 644, manufactured in 1997, sold by CraftSupplies USA (stamped on the nameplate!). It looks like a “Frankenstein lathe” - see photo. Large motor cobbled onto the backend. If anyone has info on original motor specs, photos of an “intact VL100” and/or an owners manual or anything else that would help in rebuilding, I’d appreciate. I’ve suggested my friend email Vicmarc (their website has owners manuals but not for the VL100) and - long shot- CraftSuppliesUSA. He’s a new turner and not yet a member of any turning organizations. Thanks

I purchased my VL100 in 1996 ($375) from CSUSA. Looks exactly like the one in your photo - except mine looks almost like new! They didn't come with a motor or a stand in those days ... unlike the photos in the attachments from @Bill Blasic .
I purchased the following from an electric supply dealer.... under $300. I built a cabinet to mount the lathe and a home-made X-Y table to mount the motor on. So I have almost unlimited speeds with the 5-step pulley combinations - instead of just 5. Pretty much unnecessary with the variable speed controller, but does help with the torque in some situations. I usually over-do stuff!

1/2HP Magnetek DC Motor (# DO41) and DC Controller (Magnetek W770)

 

[Fred Van Etten]

I purchased my VL100 in 1996 ($375) from CSUSA. Looks exactly like the one in your photo - except mine looks almost like new! They didn't come with a motor or a stand in those days ... unlike the photos in the attachments from @Bill Blasic .
I purchased the following from an electric supply dealer.... under $300. I built a cabinet to mount the lathe and a home-made X-Y table to mount the motor on. So I have almost unlimited speeds with the 5-step pulley combinations - instead of just 5. Pretty much unnecessary with the variable speed controller, but does help with the torque in some situations. I usually over-do stuff!

1/2HP Magnetek DC Motor (# DO41) and DC Controller (Magnetek W770)

Tom - thanks. Good info.