Vega 2600T Bowl Lathe

A LATHE FOR BOWL TURNERS

Designed in conjunction with Keith Adams, a very talented professional Bowl Turner, the Vega 2600 is made specifically for Bowl Turning, with the capacity for very large workpieces.  We have paid particular attention to a design that provides great resistance to oscillation (Gross Low Frequency Vibration).  All loaded components must also be designed to resist higher frequency vibration when turning heavy and greatly unbalanced blanks.  The Vega 2600 has a drive system that provides very low RPMs, very high torque and continuously variable speed.  Another very important objective is to provide an outstanding value to our customers.

CONTROLLING VIBRATION AND OSCILLATION

Excessive vibration and oscillation become a problem when turning large and unbalanced shapes.  While low RPMs are essential, having great mass properly placed and to use the best materials is equally critical.  The most effective placement of mass is around the spindle center.  Adding weight to the Lathe at any location helps, but as its distance from the center of the rotating turning increases, its effectiveness rapidly decreases.  Adding weight to the base of a Lathe helps, but mainly to prevent walking or toppling.  Materials to a lesser degree also affect vibration, mainly at higher frequencies.  Cast Iron is somewhat better than steel in absorbing vibration, but concrete is 20 times better than cast iron.  The Headstock on the 2600 is a 64-pound rectangular steel tube filled with 100 pounds of concrete.  This combination has the very high strength of steel, and the unusually effective vibration absorbing capacity of concrete, with lots of mass surrounding the spindle.

RIGDITY (LACK OF DEFLECTION)

All components that are subject to rapidly varying load need to be very rigid, as any deflection causes vibration.  Steel (being almost twice a stiff as Grey Iron) is frequently the optimum choice.  Shape is also a very important consideration in machine design in order to reduce vibration.

CONVENIENCE (ERGONOMETRIC DESIGN)

Turning large bowls can be quite physically demanding.  Good Lathe design can reduce these demands considerably.  Hollowing out bowls is particularly demanding if it requires leaning over a Lathe Bed.  The design of the 2600 yields an exceedingly comfortable machine to use.

PENDANT CONTROL

The Electrical Control is mounted on a pivoting pendant arm, making it convenient for all turning operations.

AC MOTOR(standard)

(1.5 HP, or phase 3)

The AC Drive model has a low and a high speed range.  Spindle Speed is continuously variable in both high and low range by means of a hand crank.  Speed in a low range is 160 to 425 RPM.  High range speed is 800 to 2200 RPM.  A reversing drum switch is located on the pendant arm for Forward / Off / Reverse.

DC DRIVE(optional)

(1.5 HP, 220 volt 1 phase)

DC motors can rotate a workpiece at very low RPM's, but the spindle torque will be very low compared to running the motor faster.  Consequently we utilize a compound belt reduction, in combination with the DC motor/controller, to provide very high torque at very low speeds.  5/8 inch, B section Vee Belts are used for very effective power transmission.

The DC motor controller (mounted on the pendant) features a rotary speed control dial, spindle reversing switch and motor brake.  Speed range is from 0 to 425 in the low range and 0 to 2520 in the high range.

TOOL REST ASSEMBLY

The Tool Rest Base is fabricated from two 1-1/4inch square steel bars for extreme stiffness.  It weighs 17# and is surface ground for predictable and smooth motion.  Locking of the base is achieved by cam action using the extra long pivoting tee handle.  The Tool Rest has a 1-1/4inch shank welded to heavy steel cross bars, yielding great stiffness  they will never break (GUARANTEED).

GUARDING

The 2600 Lathe is supplied with heavy Steel Mesh Guard that offers a great deal of protection.  It may be removed or swung out of the way for spindle access.  WE RECOMMEND USING GUARDS FOR ALL TURNING!

LATHE SPINDLE

The spindle is 1-1/4 inch diameter, supported by three (3) sealed for life ball bearings.  Thread size is 1-1/4 inch-8 tpi.

TAILSTOCK

The 2600 Tailstock is designed so that it can be easily removed, when not required, by backing out of the 5/8 inch clamping bolt.  No wrench is required.  With the Tailstock removed only the short 16inch bed remains between the Turner and the spindle.  This gives the same access to the work as in OD turning.  The Tailstock Spindle is #2 MT with a total travel of 9inch.  The Live Center is adjustable from 6 to 15 inch away from the Headstock Spindle Nose.

LATHE BED

The Lathe Bed is an unusually wide 13 inches that completely supports the Tool Rest Base for most work.  It is made from 3/4 inch thick, surface ground steel.

TAILSTOCK REMOVED

Removing the Tailstock allows for excellent accessibility to the Spindle.  Much emphasis has been placed on making this machine comfortable and easy to use.

TRANSMISSION

A pair of 7.5 inch diameter pulleys and jackshaft, coupled with adequate horsepower provides the power for this Lathe.  Easy access to the belts makes for easy changes from high to low range.  A Hand Crank adjusts the speed of AC Motor Lathes and allows shifting from high to low range on both AC and DC models.

NOVA TITAN II CHUCK

The largest chuck in the NOVA chuck range. Ideal for those large lathes with 20 inch/508mm diameter swing and larger.  Super Aggressive Holding Power.

Easy Rougher - The Next Step in Woodturning

The Easy Rougher is a carbide cutter woodturning tool that addresses fatigue, safety, and efficiency like no other type of tool on the market. Designed to be kept flat on the tool rest and level to the floor, the Easy Rougher will effortlessly hog away massive amounts of material for any woodturning process without the need for sharpening. The tool design provides support directly beneath the cutting edge transferring the cutting pressure downward allowing the lathe to take the pounding that you would normally suffer through when using a conventional bowl gouge for roughing. No more white knuckling a bowl gouge.

• Cuts left, right and straight in without changing approach angle
• Truly deeper cuts up to 1 inch off the diameter in one pass with the Full Size Rougher.
• Requires very little physical strength or exertion
• Your feet and hips stay in nearly the same position for the blank roughing process.
• Very minimal handle bouncing on irregular shaped blanks
• Reduced kick-back or sucking into work piece
• Available Chip Deflector keeps most projectiles away from the face and neck
• No intimidating cutting angles to learn and remember
• No bevels to ride
• No fear of a dangerous catch

Easy Finisher - Yet Another Innovation in Woodturning

With another step forward in woodturning innovation, Easy Wood Tools now offers you a tool to take up where the Easy Rougher leaves off. The Easy Finisher has a round carbide cutter perfect for doing the inside work on smaller bowls and for larger coves on spindle work. Our carbide inserts are made in the USA and we are pleased to offer you a tool that is 100 percent made in America.

If you own one of our existing Easy Roughers, you well know by now that we deliver even more than we advertise, as hard as is was for you to believe before your first purchase. I assure you the productivity of this tool will exceed your highest expectations. You just can not predict the possibilities or joy this tool will provide you. In testing the prototypes for this new design, I found myself creating forms that were never even on my list to try because the dangers and complications of existing tools were just not worth the trouble.  Craig Jackson, Founder

Like the other Easy tools, the Easy Finishers are designed to be used with the tool rest set so that when the tool is held level the top of the cutter is on center. Then just keep it level to the floor and flat on the tool rest for all types of cuts... it does not get any easier than that. There are no complicated approach angles, or bevels to ride. The design of this tool allows the Easy Finisher to effortlessly cut from the center of a bowl out to the rim OR from the rim to the center! All without changing any angles whatsoever. You just stand in one spot and cut coming and going until you get to the shape you want.

The Easy Finisher utilizes the same carbide cutter technology as the Easy Rougher that reduces strain and fatigue, improves productivity, and virtually eliminates sharpening. It comes loaded with one round cutter and when it gets dull, you just rotate the cutter for a fresh cut. Please note: The round cutters are not interchangeable with the carbide cutters on the Easy Rougher tool bars.

When the cutter eventually gets dull, just loosen the retaining screw and rotate cutter about 1/4 of a turn, then re-tighten the screw.

We promise this tool will open up a whole new level of design possibilities for your craft and it will exceed your expectations. If not, return for a complete refund.

Replacement carbide cutter number is engraved right on the tool bar.

Available in four sizes - Mini, Mid-Size, Full-Size and Pro. See purchase page for all products, sizes and accessories.

Easy Rougher - The Next Step in Woodturning

The Easy Detailer tools really pick up where other tools leave off and provide another level of woodturning creativity as the unique diamond cutter shape fits in tight places where the cutters on the other tools will just not fit.

These tools were designed for the primary purpose of doing the small intricate work and cutting final details on your projects such as small coves and beads on both spindle and bowl work. They are also very handy for cutting chuck tenons and making inside reverse angle cuts for inside chucking bowls with dovetail jaws. You may find they work well for hogging your green wood projects too.

The Easy Detailers are engineered to cut going straight in employing just the nose of the tool.

The Easy Detailer tools are engineered with a reduced relief angle to the long cuttings edges making the long edges less aggressive when held in contact with the wood as the nose of the tool is cutting. In use, the long edge is intended to perform as a "control surface" and serve to be in contact with the wood just behind the cut; much like a bevel is being rubbed.

For safety reasons, avoid plunging the tool so deep into the work at once to the depth you would have both sides of the cutter in contact with the wood too greatly at the same time. This could cause too much force at once and lead to binding of the tool in the groove.

Each diamond-shaped Easy Detailer cutter is engineered to fit all size Detailer tools in our current product line. When the cutter eventually dulls, just loosen the retaining screw and rotate cutter, then re-tighten the screw.

Replacement carbide cutter number is engraved right on the tool bar.
Available in four sizes - see purchase page for all products, sizes and accessories.