Happy Birthday to my Beauty!!

[Steve Schlumpf]

It was one year ago today that I got my Robust American Beauty home and setup! I had the story all ready to post but circumstances prevented me from posting the whole story. So, in honor of her birthday… here is the rest of the story.

It all started on a Thursday morning (Oct 6, 2011) at 4 a.m., when I hit the road and headed south! Figured that by leaving early, I could take my time and still miss all that U.P. traffic! What I didn’t count on was fog and it started just a couple of miles from my house and lasted all the way down into the Appleton, Wisconsin area, which normally is about a 4 hour drive. Makes for a long drive when there are areas you can’t see 50’ in front of you!

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Photo #1 - shows the beautiful sunrise over Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin


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Photo #2 – Arrival at the Robust Factory

I arrived at the Robust factory, located in Mt. Horeb, WI, a little past 10 a.m. (my time) and was happy to get out and stretch my legs a bit! Brent English, the owner of Robust, welcomed me and promptly gave me the grand tour of the facility. First thing he did was point out the fully assembled American Beauty lathe in the center of the shop and said “That’s your lathe!”

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Photos # 3 – lathe front view & 4 – lathe rear view

I have to admit, I was thrilled to finally being able to take her home! Brent then walked me through the different areas in the factory and explained many of the steps they take to go from raw metal stock to a finished lathe.

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Photo # 5 – Brent showing me the raw steel they use to form headstocks

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Photo #6 – Brent showed me the steel used for the body of the different lathes

He also introduced me to each of his obviously skilled employees! I’ve always appreciated precision metal work and really admire the quality of product these guys produce!

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Photo # 7 – Wayne setting up the mill

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Photo #8 – Rich building a long bed Beauty

continued...

[Steve Schlumpf]

My new Robust American Beauty lathe was all setup and waiting for me to check out… which is what we did next. Brent walked me through the features and explained a lot of the fine details that help distinguish his lathe; such as bronze inserts in all metal to metal moving joints, a unique clamping system to hold the tool rest that I had never seen before and the gas-assist tailstock tilt-away feature that I already loved because I would no longer have to lift a heavy tailstock!

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Photo # 9 – Balanced Tilt-Away

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Photo # 10 – Tool Rest clamping system

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Photo #11 – Brent demos how to change speed ranges

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Photo #12 – the programmable controller

He also showed me the spindle lock and alerted me to the fact that, when activated, an interlock switch prevents the lathe from being turned on! Just one of those safety features that you don’t usually think about until too late!

I am also very thrilled to say that I got the very first of a new version of the American Beauty headstock – one modified to accept the new ultra high efficient 3 hp motor from Leeson! The redesign moved the motor closer to the spindle, added an additional 25 pounds to the headstock and also changed from a 3 pulley to a 2 pulley belt system while at the same time dramatically increased the rpm capabilities per range! I can tell you already – the 2 pulley system works great!

Well, after Show & Tell, we broke the lathe down into ‘manageable’ sections and loaded it into my Chevy S-10 for the trip home!

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Photo #13 – Rich disassembling the lathe

Brent knew that it was going to be up to me to haul everything down to my basement shop and had no qualms about tearing the lathe down. He made sure that I understood how the lathe went together so I would have no problems once home!

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Photo #14 – the Robust crew, left to right: Wayne, Jim, Rich and Brent English, owner

Made the trip home in record time (6 pm my time) and everything arrived without a scratch!

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Photo #15 – Upper Peninsula highway heading home

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Photo #16 – about 25 minutes from home

continued...

[Steve Schlumpf]

Well, because of not being used to the long road hours, I decided to wait until Friday before hauling the lathe to my basement shop and setting it up! Good decision on my part because I was beat!

On Friday I managed to haul everything except the lathe bed to my basement shop.

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Photo #17 – portions of the lathe awaiting reassembly

The bed weighs somewhere around 250 pounds and I knew I didn’t want to damage it or myself … so made a call and my nephew and a couple of his friends showed up to give me a hand. With 4 of us, we managed to grab the bed and carry it to the shop with no problem but I have to admit… even with 4 of us, the bed was seriously heavy! Once the bed was in the shop, I bolted on the legs and then started putting the lathe back together one piece at a time; headstock, motor, tailstock, etc.
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Photo #18 – legs bolted onto body of the Beauty

Once it was wired and fully operational, I jacked up the height so that the spindle was at 46”, which is the height I am used to turning at. Once at the proper height, and while I still had my truck jack, I made sure the lathe was level and balanced.

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Photo #19 – the lathe reassembled and ready for action

Soon as everything was done… I cleaned up the Beauty from all the road dust and added a light coat of wax to the bed. Sure is pretty!!!

So, for all of you dreaming about upgrading to a Robust… all I can say is that if I can do it, then so can you! If you have any questions about the different Robust lathes or accessories, you can always email Brent English or give him a call. His contact info is on his website: http://www.turnrobust.com/

If you have any questions for me, please ask! For some reason, I love talking about turning, lathes and especially about my new Beauty!!

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Photo #20 – my first turning, a very old & dry maple bowl

Well, it has been a year and I must admit… I love the Beauty more than ever!

As always, your comments, opinions and questions are welcome!

Thanks for looking!!

[Nate Davey]

What a wonderful and moving tribute Steve. Glad to hear you are happy with her.

[Baxter Smith]

Fascinating!!

[paul vechart]

Steve, Happy Birthday to your American Beauty! I enjoyed your story... I live close to Appleton and hope some day I can take the ride to Mt Horeb and pick up a new Robust!

Paul

[Darren Jamieson]

The local turning shop (Artistic Wood/Woodchuckers) here close to Toronto just got a new Beauty. They sell Oneway and now Beauty but I have to tell ya I sure was salavating when I saw her. (it is diffenatly a "her") I can only dream what with the cost of young kids and a wife that would surely not see it as a "must have tool". Someday, until then keep posting pictures of yours from time to time so I remember what it is I need to work harder for.

Oh ya, happy birthday Beauty:)

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Congratulations Steve!

BTW....I hope your wife doesn't see this post as she might get jealous! You have never bought and brought home flowers to your American Beauty have you?;)

[Josh Bowman]

Happy Birthday Beauty!

[Pete Jordan]

Happy Birthday!

I bet it looks as good today as it did on day one.

[Richard Madden]

Thanks for sharing, Steve. Great story and a great machine.

[Glen Blanchard]

That's a gorgeous young lady you have there, Steve!

[John Fabre]

Enjoyed the story and the tour, thanks for posting. That American Beauty is sure nice.

[wes murphy]

Happy Birthday to the Beauty. Congratulations, Steve!

[Mike Cruz]

Well, Steve, I've turned on one Beauty, and will soon have the opportunity to turn on another (Tony's!). I'm not sure my budget for a lathe will ever reach that pinnicle, but if it does, that girl will be welcome...

On the note of respecting metal workers, besides Jeff getting a HUGE shout out, I've recently found a SERIOUS respect for them. Putting together the lathe that am right now, I'm realizing that there are about 10 gazillion axiseseses (axies?), that you have to deal with when mounting the headstock to the ways that all have to be PERFECT...something you take for granted when you buy a lathe...Ugh! I can be UBER frustrating!

Anyway, I fully understand, seeing how you got the first of the new model, that you had to keep things under wraps a bit. Thanks for sharing the experience.

[John Keeton]

Steve, I would think it more like an anniversary - after all, you two spend a lot of time together, share good times (and a few bad!), and you see to each other's needs. But, then, I guess Colleen might get a bit jealous!!;) Congrats on both the past year - and, on a great story well told!

[Michael Dromey]

That is the very lathe I will have someday. I will be saving my pennies. Congrats.

[Alan Trout]

Steve,

Heck I am glad my delivery was much less complex. A few strong backs or at least willing participants and it was in the shop. Glad it has been such a great experience. I know I am enjoying mine.

Alan

[Doug W Swanson]

Great story, Steve. She sure is a beaut!

[Dick Mahany]

What a FUN read ! Great story and terrific pics. Thanks much for sharing.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Great story Steve. Thanks for sharing.

[Tim Rinehart]

wonderful story to that final delivery in your basement. Seems like only yesterday you got it...geez, time flies.

[charlie knighton]

happy birthday, thanks for sharing

[Jim Adkins]

Congratulations Steve and Happy Birthday to the other Lady that happens to live in the Basement.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone! Just thought it would be something fun - and a little different - to share with everyone. Happy turnings!

[Roger Chandler]

Great thread, Steve..........thanks for the pics and narrative...........I am like some of the others...........yep, someday! Hopefully not a too distant someday! Glad you put some info about the speed changes and the 2 pulley system......something I had wondered about, and the high efficiency motor.........

I also noticed a bearing setting on the ways in one of the pics......is that one of the spindle bearings? Looks to be heavy duty sealed and no doubt American made? Those quality parts make up for more refined performance usually.......NICE!

[Steve Schlumpf]

Roger... you have a good eye! Robust uses some really heavy duty bearings! This blurb is taken from their website: Bearings: Heavy duty permanently lubricated bearings are fitted. They carry 40% more load than leading competitors. That's why Robust is the only manufacturer that warrants the headstock bearings, and warrants them for seven years.

[Scott Lux]

I am far too jealous to comment rationally on this thread. :)

[Ryan Mooney]

Great tour, thanks for sharing.



Once it was wired and fully operational, I jacked up the height so that the spindle was at 46”, which is the height I am used to turning at. Once at the proper height, and while I still had my truck jack, I made sure the lathe was level and balanced.


Oh hey I didn't even know the legs were that adjustable. That's really a great little feature. Like you said attention to detail everywhere.

[Dave Fritz]

Very nice story, thanks for sharing. One update, Brent and the factory are now down the road a bit in Barneveld, Wisconsin. It's only a couple of miles west of the old location. The new space is bigger and really nice.

Dave F.

[Jeffrey J Smith]

Steve:
Great story, and thanks for the photos. I can share your feelings about the American Beauty. I picked mine up at the AAW in San Jose this summer, and the time between ordering (in February) and picking up in San Jose seemed interminable. Having turned on it for barely 3 months now, I'm still finding myself adjusting to a few things that are different from my old lathe (Jet 1642), but the difference in ergonomics alone is worth it all. I guess I too have just been seduced by the Beauty...

[David DeCristoforo]

Great story and a great acquisition. Doesn't get any better than that!

[Dennis Dupont]

What a great lathe! I attended David Ellsworth's class this past spring and had the opportunity to use 3 different Robust lathes. The Liberty was too tall for me (cue Randy Newman here) and I liked the Sweet 16, but that Beauty is simply a turner's "died and gone to heaven" lathe.

Thanks for the story and congrats. One day I hope to be you!

[Ken Glass]

Steve,
That's an amazing piece of American Beauty equipment for sure, but I want to know how well your carpet cleans up after turning green wet wood? LOL! That was a great story and I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Jeff Nicol]

Steve, I know I have been saying this for a while now, but I will get up to visit you one of these days! I hope to get back to a normal life soon, but with 2 grand babies on the way and 3 here al ready......well I will be spoiling them for a little while, then I will make the comittment to head to the UP for a little vacation.

Great lathe for a great turner and a heck of a nice fellow!

Take care,

Jeff

[Steve Schlumpf]

Jeff - you know me and you also know there is no pressure to get up here. When the time is right... it will happen. Meanwhile - enjoy the grandkids!!

[Brian Ashton]

It goes well with the carpet ;)

[Roger Chandler]

I think Steve needs to do a tutorial on the proper way to set up a turning studio..........with the first foundational steps being proper selection of carpet and and which way the grain pattern in the carpet should be "oriented," ...... then a tutorial on how to do dust free, spit shine finishes for lathes.........:rolleyes::D.......I don't seem to be able to "get there" yet!???:o:rolleyes:

[Eric Holmquist]

I did not have your adventure getting mine a few months ago, looking forward to our first anniversary.