Thanks to Steve Schlumpf and Tom Steyer I am a vacuum chucker

[earl timmons]

I own a Laguna 18/47 and a Jet Mini. There are not a lot of the 18/47's out there.

I recently went on a quest to add vacuum chucking to the Laguna. I was very fortunate to learn of two gentlemen Steve Schlumpf and Tom Steyer while reading this forum. Steve supplied me with his excellent vacuum chuck tutorial. I adapted it to allow it to run my Jet Mini as well. Steve I owe you. Steve used a rotary adapter from Tom Steyer in his system. I contacted Tom and after a couple of conversations and few pictures sent to him I was the proud owner of a high quality rotary adapter for a Laguna 18/47. I am running the Jet off a Holdfast rotary adapter. But I am going to have Tome build me one for that as well, I had purchased the Holdfast before I knew of Tom's. As with Steve I owe Tom he made this a simple task.

[Bill Bolen]

That Laguna was on my "lust list" for some time. I'm just nosy, how do you like yours? Pro and cons appreciated..Bill..

[Steve Schlumpf]

Earl - congrats on getting your vac system up and running! You are going to love it! Looking forward to seeing lots of your work real soon! Have fun with it!

[earl timmons]

Bill, my experience with the lathe has been pretty good. I have turned everything from goblets to 17 inch wet Walnut bowls with it. I have not had a problem in terms of power, vibration, speed etc. I did have a problem with the Banjo initially that was promptly fixed when I called Laguna (they sent a new one). I currently have another Banjo problem. It turns out the tool rest hole is not quite 1 inch. I think this is a hangover from their conversion from a more metrics oriented lathe. I bought a Robust rest and it would not fit. I contacted Laguna and I expect a new banjo shortly.

The lathe sells for 1695, is it a 3520B ? I have never turned on a B but I would guess the B is a better machine on the other hand they are selling for 2600 dollars these days and going up. I saw one in Mpls/St Paul at 2900 the other day when I was there. I am happy with the 18/47

Where are you located, feel free to send me a PM if you would like.