Like many of you, I first started turning in Junior High shop class. I loved turning but never became serious about it because of High School, college, business school, work, family, etc. A couple of years ago, after a 30 years hiatus I decided to adopt a new hobby - and woodturning once again became my focus. I picked up an old Delta Rockwell made in '67 - it was caked in dust but no rust anywhere. I was happy.
Last year I decided to upgrade my lathe and I went shopping. I looked at all of the usual suspects: Jet, Delta, and other low-mid priced lathes. I liked what I saw - but I'm an Engineer. I was looking for a lathe that offered more. So I kept looking.
I evaluated Oneway, Stubby, and the Nova. Wow, good products with lots of happy customers. I had almost settled on the Stubby when I read the Woodturning review of the wivamac lathe from Belgium. I contacted Mr. Vanhoutte (the designer and builder of the wivamac) and something clicked. I liked the features that the wivamac offered and the price was competitive with all of the other mid-high end products I was evaluating. So, I bought one. I liked - no, I loved it. It is quiet, it is stable, it makes turning a real pleasure. There is no real limit of the size of bowl or platter I can turn. I also turn pens and napkin rings - big or small it does it all.
I kept talking to my friends about my lathe - anyone who turned heard me tell the virtues of the wivamac. One day I was talking about my lathe to a good friend once too many times and he finally told me to do something about it. I obviously liked the product. I did an engineer's due diligence on the the product and its competition, so, he said, if it is so good, why don't you start importing them and sell them.
After he said that, it was so obvious. I decided to do just that. I made contact with Mr. Vanhoutte and have been granted distributor of the wivamac woodturning lathes in North America.
I have started wivamac usa llc. I am importing, selling, servicing professional quality lathes for production turners and advanced craftspeople. Just to let everyone know, I'm not doing this to make a living - I have a full and rewarding job in the software industry. So, my prices are fair and I deal with every customer as a friend. No BS here.
So, if you want to learn more about the wivamac lathes and accessories stop by the online site:
I'll work with you to get the last lathe you'll ever buy - I love my wivamac, and I think you will too.
Thanks for reading,
Lee
Lee Ingram wivamac usa llc snipped-for-privacy@wivamacusa.com