Come visit Branches to Bowls at the Hamilton Woodworking Show! We'll be in Booths 28 - 30 Vicmarc Lathes and all your favorite tools and accessories !!

About Us

My number one priority is the satisfaction of my clients, many of whom turn into friends and woodworking colleagues. I look forward to exceeding the expectations of everyone I have the pleasure to work with.

My name is Ken Rude, owner of Branches to Bowls Ltd living in Calgary, AB. I have been working with wood on and off since I made 7 birdhouses when about 9-10 years old. About 10 years ago, I started woodturning with an old lathe I found on Kijiji, to see if I enjoyed working on a lathe like I thought I remembered from High School shop class.

After a couple years of chasing the vibrating lathe around the shop, it was time to upgrade. After looking at the available options I decided on looking for a used Vicmarc lathe, finally after about 6 months I found the only used one, a VL300, in the world 10 minutes from home. It was in my shop within 24 hours. I spent many, many satisfied hours working on my Vicmarc VL300.

We ship across Canada from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and the Territories. Utilizing different shipping carriers from Canada Post, Purolator, and a couple different LTL freight companies, we look for the best bang for your buck on shipping your new lathes, accessories and tools.

Vicmarc Machinery

I approached Vicmarc Machinery about representing Vicmarc Machinery in Canada, and after some months of conversation have become the Canadian Distributor for the Vicmarc Machinery, in the spring of 2016. Representing Vicmarc is an easy fit for me, after many years of working with wood it has always been important for me to purchase the best tool for the job. Vicmarc provides this tool for my company Branches to Bowls.

ClearVue Cyclones

I have personally been using a Clear Vue Cyclone for over 6 years. I have been very impressed with the way it collects virtually all of the fine dust. My drum is filled with dust finer than Talcum powder and packs like icing sugar. I constantly get asked “Where is your dust?” by woodturners. Due to the high quality and effectiveness of the Clear Vue Cyclone system I now include it to the line of quality products I offer.

Carter & Son Toolworks, Premium Woodturning Tools

In November of 2016 I also became the Canadian Dealer for Carter and Son Toolworks from Seattle. Manufacturers of Premium Wood turning tools, they have earned a loyal customer base across Canada, and the USA as well as through Dealers in Germany, Japan, Denmark and Norway and the U.K. This is because of their 40+ years of experience as toolmakers, and their attention to detail and using a premium M42 steel and their own proprietary 5 step heating process.

Called me within 30 minutes!

After an extreme length of time and research into exactly what tools I would upgrade to and make an investment in I decided to go with Carter and Sons (C&S) M42 tools and I wanted to deal with a Canadian distributor. The people at C&S directed me to Branches to Bowls. I placed a request for a quote and was shocked that 30 minutes later Ken called me to discuss my order. Not only did he review my order with me, but offered a wealth of information about turning. I appreciated the exchange so much I had to send him some of the blanks of a type of wood he had never turned before. He promptly sent me a quote and we were able to finalize it the next day.

Thank you very much Ken and I look forward to doing business with you again in the future.

Peter in Nova Scotia.

Ken has become my “go to” guy for all my lathe needs.

During the last year I acquired an older model Vicmarc VL300. The lathe was purchased locally in northern Canada where if you want accessories you will have to purchase from a distance either on line or by phone order. A search on line came up with Branches to Bowls Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta.

I knew what I wanted to accomplish with this lathe, however I did not know exactly what parts or types of accessories I should purchase so I called Ken. What an eye opener that was. Having answered a couple of questions Ken asked me about the lathe, I soon realized I was talking to someone very knowledgeable about Vicmarc products. Ken was not in any rush and we talked about turning in general as well as available options for me relative to accessories for my VL300. In the end I placed an order and Ken has become my “go to” guy for all my lathe needs.

I have ordered numerous items from Branches to Bowls and have been very impressed with the quality of service provided by Ken. Vicmarc products have earned a great deal of respect around the globe and here in Canada, Branches to Bowls Ltd will no doubt earn the respect of the woodturning community.

Thanks Ken!

Sincerely,

Robin T. Whitehorse, Yukon.

VL300 is the best wood lathe I’ve used

The Vicmarc VL300 is the best wood lathe I’ve used. The rest assembly is easy to move using one hand, the rest height easy to adjust. And Vicmarc chucks are second to none.

Richard Raffan, Australia.

My VM-100 is by far the best!

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!

Steve, Calgary, AB.

Friendly, informative, customer friendly approach

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...”

Norm M. Prince George, BC.

Call us Today: 1-403-830-3049