Vega D-48 48-Inch Professional Lathe Duplicator

by Vega

Product Description

Amazon.com

Creating a beautiful table leg on a lathe is a joy. But creating three more absolutely identical to it is a daunting task. But here comes a tool that will do it for you. After initial assembly, which is kind of detailed, you'll be ready to copy anything you can turn. It's imperative to follow the setup directions exactly (and the video is more help than the written directions), because if you're off even a fraction of an inch in your initial setup, you're assuring yourself of errors. After that, though, using it is just as much a joy as turning the original piece. Don't dismiss it as diminishing the art of the craft, either, because the duplicator can be controlled by hand. There are a number of accessories, too, that we like, including the spiral attachment and the router bracket, which easily lets you create fluted contour pieces. It's easy to use and, we admit, fun, too. And it will turn out as many copies of your original piece or any template for years to come. We think it's the perfect investment for the serious turner or furniture builder.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer

Employs the well proven design principal of the professional model, including fast set up, excellent accuracy in duplication, convenience of controls and easy adjustments, makes duplication of turning fast, easy and fun. A video tape is included showing set-up, making turnings and templates, maintenance and helpful tips on using the duplicator. Attachment mounts are included that will make it easily attachable to nearly all 10-inch and 12-inch swing lathes.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 63.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00002261D
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: D-48
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,766 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely Done, June 21, 2000

By 

Big Wood Guy (Bolton, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vega D-48 48-Inch Professional Lathe Duplicator (Tools & Home Improvement)

....I find that this is a very nicely engineered tool. It is easyto set up after watching the video, though the written instructionsare poor. Some of the non-essential parts are poorly machined, but this does not effect their performance, just their asthetics. I would recommend this tool for anyone who would like a duplicator regardless of the lathe that you own. With a little help from Vega and Amazon, my duplicator fit my vintage Oliver lathe perfectly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vega D-48 Lathe Duplicator, October 6, 2010

By 

Pete - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vega D-48 48-Inch Professional Lathe Duplicator (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've been working wood for about 30 years; professionally for about 23.
I've had the D-48 bolted to my Powermatic 3520B for about a week.
To echo the sentiments of others, the manual and video aren't going to win any Pulitzers or Golden Globes. They are, however, informative enough for a person with woodworking and machinery experience, and in any case, if I want a good movie, I've got Netflix. While the manual is marginal, the D-48 is such a simple machine that it makes the manual more than adequate.
Based on some of the reviews I've read, it's evident that there are some who expect to bolt the thing to a lathe, spend 2-3 minutes adjusting a couple of bolts, and then turn a spindle every 20 seconds. Some expect that once the adjustments are made, they'll never have to be rechecked.
My experience is this:
1) Take the time it takes to make every adjustment described in the manual and the video.
2) For about every hour of solid, continuous use, take the 2 minutes it takes to check your settings, and your bolts and screws for snugness.
3) At the end of any day it's used, take the 2 minutes to remove the 4 screws and wingbolt, blow the carriage out and WD-40 the guts.

To those who have posted their disappointment at their results, I can only say --- start over, and take your time. To the guy who used a grinder and a hammer to insert the stylus --- maybe machines aren't your thing, huh? And to the guy who called it "flimsy" --- well..... I'm a woodworker, not a shrink.

This machine will not operate with the speed of an industrial, $250,000 CNC machine, but it perfectly makes multiple copies of anything you tell it to. Try that by hand.

It quadrupled the commercial value that my lathe has to me. Like any other high-quality machine, you'll get from it all that you give to it. I am IN LOVE with mine.

Suggestions for those who also love theirs:
1) Get a line on 1/4" Plexiglas. Also, I've found that drawing my templates directly onto the paper backing of the Plexiglas works well.
2) Invest in a variety of decent drafting supplies (including a 24" adjustable ship curve).
3) The Diamond Vee cutter is a MUST.
4) Keep it clean and adjusted, and you should get years of use from it.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looks Good, January 6, 2009

By 

Karl P. Reimer "Garobo" (Belize) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vega D-48 48-Inch Professional Lathe Duplicator (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have just received it but have not used it so far. It looks really good the only thing which seems like a short cut on the manufacturers part, didn't paint the attachment brackets. Raw steel. I hope to use this in a while and find, what all I can do with it. Now if you are doing research on it and want to know what comes with it. The amazon price only includes the copier. No router attachment no spiral attachment and a couple other options they have for this unit. Here is a site where you can find some attachments for this unit. http://tool-corral.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page82.html Here is an other website who has more attachments but more pricey. http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=lathes-dup-vp . Here is an other one with features being explained. http://www.vegawoodworking.com/ld.html. I have not found the motor attachment to have the copier do the turning by itself. If you find it, can you email me with the info? [e-mail]