Kenny Jacobson
09-07-2012, 12:27 PM
I searched through the forum and I see the topic comes up every so often, but thought I'd bring it up again.
Here are my questions for those who own or have used one:
1) The Vega site claims you can remove around 0.75" of stock per pass. How accurate is that in your experience?
2) I will need to go from 8" at one section of the spindle down to 1.25", so that's a 6.75" inch travel. Will the Vega D-36 or D-48 do that?
3) It says to use plexiglass for the template, can you use mdf too? or does it have to be plexiglass?
4) I have Jet 1642, will it mount nicely on the back so I can hand turn on the front?
5) The longest spindle I'll have to make is 32". Will the D-36 be sufficient? (I realize the mathematically speaking, 32" inches is less then 36" so it should work, but just because a tool it 36" inches long, it doesn't always mean you can always take advantage of the whole length :)) Would the D-48 even work on a Jet 1642?
6) Is it better/faster to rough your square stock down to a cylinder with a roughing gouge before using the duplicator?
7) How is sturdy is it really? The site claims it "extremely rigid". Some reviews on amazon claim it vibrates a LOT and that the screws come loose. One of the many who do like it, makes the point that he does have to tighten the screws for every hour of service.
To the "duplicators are evil" crowd. I get it. Turning by hand IS more fun, I know. And I realize a master turner can beat a duplicator on time and finish. But for this particular project, I may need to bring in some low-skilled labor to help me out (as in, some of the older teenagers from church), and I'd like for someone else to do the "boring" part while I come in at the end and do the finish work. You know?
Here are my questions for those who own or have used one:
1) The Vega site claims you can remove around 0.75" of stock per pass. How accurate is that in your experience?
2) I will need to go from 8" at one section of the spindle down to 1.25", so that's a 6.75" inch travel. Will the Vega D-36 or D-48 do that?
3) It says to use plexiglass for the template, can you use mdf too? or does it have to be plexiglass?
4) I have Jet 1642, will it mount nicely on the back so I can hand turn on the front?
5) The longest spindle I'll have to make is 32". Will the D-36 be sufficient? (I realize the mathematically speaking, 32" inches is less then 36" so it should work, but just because a tool it 36" inches long, it doesn't always mean you can always take advantage of the whole length :)) Would the D-48 even work on a Jet 1642?
6) Is it better/faster to rough your square stock down to a cylinder with a roughing gouge before using the duplicator?
7) How is sturdy is it really? The site claims it "extremely rigid". Some reviews on amazon claim it vibrates a LOT and that the screws come loose. One of the many who do like it, makes the point that he does have to tighten the screws for every hour of service.
To the "duplicators are evil" crowd. I get it. Turning by hand IS more fun, I know. And I realize a master turner can beat a duplicator on time and finish. But for this particular project, I may need to bring in some low-skilled labor to help me out (as in, some of the older teenagers from church), and I'd like for someone else to do the "boring" part while I come in at the end and do the finish work. You know?