So, picked it up yesterday. Going to the chiro today
Eventually go it in the car, eventually got it out of the car, eventually got it in the workshop and upright - Result!
Seems to work fine, the VS is great, the lack of flex and vibration is fantastic. Just need to get it bolted to the stand and possibly bolt the stand to the floor, but only once I'm certain about exactly where it's going. It's actually a lot more stable than it looks on the stand but does need bolting and I'll be adding extra support around the bottom of the casting.
One thing I'm unsure about.....I was planning on making and using an mdf pressure plate (like Richard Findley showed in the recent Woodturner mag) to use as a bowl reverser. However, the shape of the tailstock means it can't get very close to the headstock, certainly not close enough. I suppose I could reverse the tailstock whenever I need to use it that way, but it's a big heavy lump (it can't stay that way round as it would get in the way of the tool rest). Having said that, cole-type jaws would be time consuming to change on the chuck, so maybe it's not such a big deal.....sorry, chuntering away to myself, feel free to join in
The VS is excellent, gives variable speed from very slow indeed to about 50% faster than the speed set on the pulleys, all operated from a pendulum that can be placed wherever suits best. It also allows reverse......but my chuck has no means of securing it so I won't be reversing very often....
Looking forward to having a proper play
Chris