Woodturning Lathes, Dust Collectors and Turning Tools

Hey Ken,

Quick email to say how pleased I am with the Carter and Son tools. I’m re-learning how to turn all over again it seems but what a joy to get covered in a pile of curly shavings, lol. These tools are like being handed the keys too a Porsche after driving a Russian Lada. I’ve just started working with the bowl gauge, the spindle gauge is amazing, especially on higher speed, the shavings fly off.

The bowl gauge works so well at my lowest speed, it’s just so much safer. The only problem I have now is that all other tools fail in comparison... Starting too think about a couple more down the road once I get more time flying curly shavings.

Cheers,

I purchased a Vicmarc VL240 from “Branches to Bowls Ltd” in October, 2017. Negotiations, details, and agreements were all done long distance (phone and email). I was very pleased with Ken’s friendly, informative, customer friendly approach throughout the process (and since). Now I am enjoying an excellent lathe that is versatile, stable, powerful and precise! This workhorse runs for hours without any sign of heating...all sizes and types of wood keep changing shape...and I...enjoy!

...and I hum my theme song (from the Byrds)...”There is a season, turn, turn, turn...”

I have chucks from all the major manufacturers, but my VM-100 is by far the best! I love that it is easy to use but more importantly its holding power!

Recently I needed to acquire an accessory for my Vicmarc VL300 lathe. After contacting all of the Vicmarc dealers in the U.S. together with all of the woodturning specialty houses with whom I was familiar, I had no success, the typical response being that the accessory I needed might be available in three to six months.

Then I discovered Ken Rude at Branches to Bowls. com in Canada. Ken is the Canadian Vicmarc dealer. I called and spoke directly with him - the accessory I needed was in stock - and in a matter of a few days I had the Vicmarc accessory I needed. To me, customer service is extremely important, and the service I received from Ken was outstanding and exceptional in every way. From my initial conversation - to timely updates regarding pricing and shipping - to follow up e-mails to assure on time receipt of my order, Ken’s service was fast, professional, personable, and customer oriented.

I could not have been more pleased. It is so good to have a supplier that is dedicated to providing quality Vicmarc equipment together with truly outstanding customer service.

Sincerely,

A few weeks after ordering I was eager to unpack my new Vicmarc VL150 and bolt it on the base waiting in position. The cast iron housing and the quality of the overall manufacturing provides the feel and behavior very much like a solid stand large lathe for projects less than 12”. Additionally, the VL150 comes with the advantages of a small lathe-tools and accessories can be used in close range and operation from the tail stock end is easy, no need moving the assembly and head stock or even mounting the lathe bed. Also, tail stock removal is fast and does not require significant strength.

Electronic RPM control and the VL150 power at very low RPM’s allow turning operation at optimum speed for high quality turning projects. I like that “reverse turning” requires override an is reset to normal direction afterward. In the heat of the moment one is prone to forgetting with unwanted things going to happen.

Turns out I tend to use the Vicmarc VL150 for most projects, unless the diameter or size requires me to use my large lathe. Fortunately, compatibility with its 1” tool rest diameter and the #2 Morse taper tools swap with a large is easy without new inventory. Well worth waiting for the shipment from Australia.