#2 Hunter RetroFit, carbide tip, ¼” Square shank

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...”

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,

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.

Ken,

Wow!. I am extremely impressed with the VM 100 chuck. I have not found any other that runs as smoothly. It runs true and precise. Dovetail jaws are the best out there and direct thread is an added bonus.

Thanks Very Much,

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,