Customer Reviews

Vega D-36 36-Inch Professional Lathe Duplicator

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very happy with the duplication of this machine. However the video and the written instructions that were included were terrible. The video was made in 1990 and it shows an out of date assembly method. I watched the out of focus video and muffled sound for about 5 minutes. The video was no help on how the machine is put together. The written instructions were no better. The print is small and it does not show where to install all the parts that were given. The manufacturer needs at least a full color photo so you can have some kind of idea where things go. That being said I would still recommend this duplicator even though setting it up was time consuming. You can e-mail me at mccormickwoodworking.com if you need any help setting yours up. Andy McCormick

I agree with Andy, the duplicator is good but the video and instruction manual are completely worthless. I think the video was shot by a 8 year old who was experimenting with a camera for the first time. The drawings in the manual are hand-drawn and by somebody that has no business hand drawing. The manual has been re-copied so many times that much of the text is off the side of the page and therefore doesn't do any good. Also, my duplicator was missing some bolts and washers that I had to go to the hardware store to buy. And because the directions were so terrible, it took a few trips and some trial and error to figure out exactly what bolts were needed. That being said, the duplicator is great once it is set up and will make many beautiful turnings. I highly recommend using a template rather than an original turning. I've found that the slender turning attatchment is a must if you plan to turn 2x2 stock longer than 20". I thought I could get away with just taking light cuts but this is not the case. Hope this helps.

The Vega D-36 - 36" Professional Lathe Duplicator was a very good choice for me. I had an old bed post leg that was splitting and breaking apart. I read all the instructions, set up the tool, put the leg on the duplicator and made an exact match the first time. I feel like the other review given the diamond V tool would have been the best, which I am going to purchase one soon.
The speed chain to move the head is a so much better than a web belt found on the Delta's Lathe Duplicator. All of the other add on tool accessories are great, especially the router attachment which I can see potential in my shop.

Purchased the duplicator through Tool Crib. The duplicator and all its parts are top quality. I am an amateur on the lathe but was able to produce some very good turnings with this product. The duplicator was very easy to install on my lathe. My only gripe would be that the instructions could have been better for both operation and template construction. I am still in a learning mode, but this product is not that difficult to use. Just keep the bit sharp and the lathe speed correct.

A great tool which performed as advertised.
Did a little practice and then made a template and produced 12 perfect 22" legs without a hitch.
The only gripe is that there should have been the option to purchase it with the carbide cuter at a savings. I think that the carbide cutter is a must, but then I am no expert. Completely satisfied.
Hank Syracuse NY

This machine is supurb. Well engineered and rugged yet simple and proud of it. Directions are poor, but machine more than makes up for it.Maybe good engineers dont make good authors..JDW

I needed some more leg turnings so I set up the duplicator. I was a lot more careful with adjustments than the first time and had the diamond V cutter.
As before the tool worked flawless but I was in much better control. I recommend the vega to anyone who wants to turn out quality turnings.

I tried out one before purchasing this piece of equipment. The instructions leave a whole lot to be desired. The vidio also helps but not much. All in all it took me about 1 hour to put it together . It wasn't as bad as some had written, but then I saw one set up before hand. The slide that the cutter goes in was sticky, but I backed off the screws that hold the spind in. It is to cold in my shop to work now and it will have to wait until spring. I think that some floor wax on the spindle slide will greatly inprove it. I also think that templets are the way to go. All in all I thing think it is well worth the purchased price. The one I tried out had the carbide cutter in it and I am in the process of making one. The carbide cutter that I tried took some hefty (1/4 per side cuts) roughing cuts. I think it is almost a neccessity, save a lot of sharpening time.
Tom

A little more on vega. I needed to turn 4 spreaders 1" in diameter tapering to3/4" on each end X30" long. I purchased vega's 175 slender turning tool and after careful alignment was able to turn these in one pass which is how this works. A good accessory worth the cost with good instructions.
You realy need to buy a 1-1/2 dowel,center it and turn it true. Then you can align it, guess work wont get you close enough and it will bind up. If you have access to metal turning I made a centered shaft from S steel.This is a bit extreme but it wont warp.

I have a shop full of tools ranging in quality from harbour freight to festool and I have never been so upset while trying to assemble a tool!!The video is so worthless they could just as well send a dvd on birdwatching.An absolute joke.the manual is no better.whats more I had to use a grinder,WD-40 and a hammer to insert the rod that holds the follower.Also one of the plastic knobs would not screw all the way down on the threaded post used to run the cutter back and forth.The brackets that connect the tool to the lathe are bare steel,how hard could it be for them to spray on a little primer?When I pay $640.00 I expect to get a lot better product than this.I believe that vega has the best product on the market,but it seems they need some competition to wake them up.oh and it seems to work fine if you make it through the assembly.