If you ever get a chance to turn on one, take it. I bought a Vic 240, which is the one with the pivoting headstock, and love it. A very high quality machine, and one made for extensive use and abuse. Only really strange things about it are the red 'stop' bar, which you bump into when getting used to the lathe, especially if you are used to leaning on your lathe as you turn. The other thing is the variable speed knob turns in the opposite direction as my other Northern Hemisphere lathes.... Not sure if it is now my favorite or not. The Vic is the preferred lathe of turners like Stuart Batty, Mike Mahoney, Glenn Lusas, and others... Interesting that now Craft Supplies is carrying them.

robo hippy

Ed Weber wrote on Nov 7^th, 2019 at 12:05pm:


I completely agree Ed.  When I first got back into turning there seemed like a number of quite affordable hobbyist lathes from Jet/Delta up to what I refer to as the high-end hobbyist in the Teknatool brand.  After Teknatool it seemed like a significant jump in both quality and pricing to Powermatic, Oneway, and ultimately the Robust line.  In recent years we've now seen the introduction of beefier offerings from the Grizzlys and Lagunas of the world but at a much more competitive price range.  Several years ago I had an opportunity to 'test drive' and purchase a used VL300 for $3k.  Well, economics being what they were at that time I couldn't swing the deal.  The bigger point in recalling that anecdote was when I was putting that machine through it's paces, it 'felt' like I was on a machine well 'worth' up into the high $3k range...$6k plus though just seems too much regardless of the quality.  Which leads to another question...if Laguna and Grizzly continue refining their product line with respects to fit, finish, and functionality...will their be enough of a market to keep the high-end of companies going?

Taking a step up for me was going from an Atlas 12 by 4 speed/pulley lathe to a PM3520A. Since I was selling my wares at the local Saturday Market (started off selling hacky sacks and juggle balls), the PM paid for itself 3 times the first year I had it. It is made for production work and all the stresses on the tool that go with it. The requirements for lathes are, I guess, some thing like cars. Some are fine for going back and forth through town. Some are better for hauling long distance heavy loads. Not sure about where Laguna and Grizzly will end up. I would expect that if they ever do get to the overall quality of Robust, Oneway, and Vicmarc, the prices will reflect that. For many, the hobby level tools are fine. I would never have a Harbor Freight lathe in my shop. Just scrap metal to me. I want my tools to last as long or longer than me...

robo hippy

robo_hippy wrote on Nov 10^th, 2019 at 12:54pm:


I suspect you'd be correct about the pricing but I don't believe that's their goal.  The three you mentioned are the accepted 'premium' machines at their premium prices.  But let's say, hypothetically, Laguna and Grizzly eventually offer a machine that's ~90% or so percent of what a premium machine cost then how many turners looking to go premium would choose otherwise?  Assuming the 'others' continue to improve, the current premium machines will still be better made...but will they be $3k dollars 'better made'?  As Ed has said...at the end of the day a lathe is a fairly simple machine but turning is a hobby with a significant costs in supporting tools.  Someone looking to get their 'forever machine' ten to fifteen years from now may have a much harder decision on their hands.