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Old 12-18-2005, 09:51 AM   #4
Young Salt
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Suburbia, RI
Posts: 1,025
I've got one on a delta lathe and like it.

You can't really use the tool rest with it. If the lathe is mounted on an island-type bench you could mount the vega on one side and have the tool rest on the other.
You could also just unbolt the duplicator, but leave the rails that bolt onto the lathe. You can do that, but you won't get much side-to-side adjustment like that. If you have a wide tool rest you could get away with it.

I find the setup fairly easy. Leave the centers in the lathe, attach the vega, line up the tip of the tool with the center in the lathe.....both in and out, and up and down. I use the vega for making plugs. The only time it comes off is when i have to do non-plug projects.

CS is right the carbide is much better. I still use the HSS tool because i can't find the time to make my own holder. Vega sells them but you'll pay through the nose. I touch up the HSS tool (while still in the dupi) often.....Either tool you do have to take a light finsh pass. my rough passes add up to about 1/2" at the most.

Like Jigman said i make them faster, more accurate than i could by hand.

Biggest downside i have is the smallest blank i can turn is about 5"-6"



I got my vega on ebay for about $150 i think.
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