~Series 1500 T Wood Lathes~

15" x 53"  -  15" x 96"   -  15" x 120"
Now with 1 1/4" - 8 TPI spindle

Model 1553T
(Shown with Optional Inverter Drive)

The 1500 Series of Woodturning Lathes are designed to provide what the knowledgeable and serious Wood Turner expects; great durability, large capacity, great features, and a wide choice of components.  The VEGA 1500 series Lathes are all manufactured, assembled and tested in the USA (Decatur, Illinois).  Factory support for Technical and application help are a phone call away.  With operator safety in mind, all lathes are shipped from our factory with safety shields.

~THE LATHE BED

The lathe bed is fabricated from 4"  x 3" x 3/16" wall structural tube which yields a very rigid and wide lathe bed for excellent tool rest support.  Holes are provided at the tailstock end of the machine for filling with concrete or sand if desired.  (Concrete has 11 times the vibration absorbing capability of cast iron).

~THE LATHE SPINDLE

The 1500's headstock spindle is precision CNC machined from 1 1/4"  round stock.  It is supported i in the cast iron headstock by an oversize 30 MM double row ball bearing on the inboard and a single row 30  MM single row bearing on the outboard side.  This combination of bearings provide  very high end thrust and  axial load capacities with essentially zero end play.  The spindle has a #2  morse taper and is through drilled for spur center extraction and gun drilling if desired.

~THE TOOL REST

The tool rest base is a heavy steel weldment which is then surface ground on both sides.  The tool rest itself is fabricated from 3/16" x 3 1/2" steel (for a slim cross section) and welded to a 1 1/4" shank for excellent rigidity.

~THE TAILSTOCK

Made from cast iron, the tailstock of this lathe utilizes a large diameter handwheel for the ram advance, a hefty 1 1/4"  spindle with a #2 morse taper, and a 5/8" acme screw.  Positive locking of the tailstock to the bed of the lathe is done through a top mounted handle.

~REVERSING FEATURE

This is standard on all versions of the 1500 series lathe.  The reasons for this are two fold.  First, reversing the rotation direction for sanding reduces the amount of sanding required and makes it safer.  Second, if  using a duplicating attachment, you can position the tool rest on the back side of the lathe, and still hand turn with the lathe running in reverse.  Faceplates are  secured  by a brass tipped set screw for reversing.

~BASIC A/C WITH DRUM REVERSING SWITCH

The basic variable speed drive system consists of a 2 step pulley on the Headstock spindle and a high quality variable pitch pulley on  the  motor shaft.  This combination yields a high and low ranged with infinitely variable speeds in each range.  Speed change is accomplished by  simply raising or lowering the motor.  The standard motors on the 1500 series lathes are American made TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled) Standard motors for the different models are as follows ; 1553 - 1HP, 1596 - 1.5HP, 14120 - 2HP.

~INVERTER DRIVE SYSTEM (Optional)

An option for the 1500 Series Lathe is an inverter  drive (see  below for technical information on this  system).  Speed change with the Inverter consists of simply rotating a knob on the control box.  High or low range can still be selected, depending on the diameter of the  workpiece.  There is a 1HP system available for the 1533 which features a premium  Tosihba motor and KB inteverter.  There is a 2HP system for any of the 1500 series lathes which features a premium Toshiba motor and Toshiba inverter.  The 2HP  system is a state of the art industrial drive, with digital readout  for motor RPM's and is programmable.

~SAFETY SHIELD

The welded steel mesh of this unique safety guard provides far greater impact protection than plastic.  Equally important, it provides a clear view of the work.  Plastic shields actually attract sanding dust, consequently  are typically not used.  The steel mesh ins out of the focal range of the operator  so it t imparts very little visual obstruction.  The safety shield is mounted on a steel track that runs the  length of the lathe bed.  It is mounted on rollers, making it easy to position where you want it.  A unique locking system automatically locks the guard when the mesh is lowered.  It is also available as a kit to mount on other lathes.

~OUTBOARD TURNING SUPPORT (Accessory)

The massive outboard turning support bolts directly to the end of the lathe.  This provides very secure tool rest support that is necessary for safe and controllable outboard turning.  This is not obtainable with traditional pedestal supports.  If large diameter outboard turning is going to be done on the lathe we strongly suggest the 2HP Inverter Drive Option.  It  provides the low  RPM's needed for safe turning of large pieces.