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Vic VL300 - adding additional ballast

I have a VL 300 shortbed with an OEM stand. I do not want to move the motor or the control panel which are inside the base. There appears to be no easy way to compartmentalize off these components and fill the base with sand. I have a passion for big objects and off-center work which gets things rocking. The Vic is stable and level and ordinarily does not rock and roll but I have been pushing the limits.I know I can bolt the base to the floor but I do like to be able to scoot it around or adjust it slightly if I need to. I would like to add some additional ballast to the base. I have a couple of ideas on how to add additional weight but I am searching for other ideas before I proceed with mine. Anyone have some thoughts. You can post here or email me. Thanks.

Reply to
Tom Thorsen
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Reply to
Jim Pugh

Tom

I have both a long and a short bed VL300. With the long bed (the same could just as easily be done to the short bed) I have added about 40lbs of sand to the hollow in each leg. Al that you need to do is unbolt the lathe slid it along the stand a little, drill a 1/2 inch hole in the top of the exposed leg section and with a funnel pour in dry sand. On the head stock end you will either need to put in bolts or attach your free standing rest to stop sand escaping from the hole.

For extra weight you could use lead shot instead and I gather you could add nearly 80lbs to each leg. This is actually why the legs are hollow for such additions.

Be careful not to add damp sand as besides being difficult to pour it also risks causing the casting to rust from the inside out.

from experience as I have one lathe with out sand and one with I will add that as well as reducing vibration it also serves to quieten the already quiet machine even more.

Gregory Moreton RPT

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Reply to
Gregory Moreton RPT

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