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Daddy3x
22nd October 2009, 02:22 PM
This may very well be coming up for sale in the next year, anyone have one or know much about it. general is supposed to be pretty solid what I have heard. I believe they will be selling with duplicator included. Has seen little use, I am certain about 5 years old. I can find what a replacement new would be, just not experience is used market.

artme
22nd October 2009, 09:51 PM
Certainly a solid beast. I see no reason why it should not be OK, or even pretty bloody good.

orificiam
22nd October 2009, 10:09 PM
What He Said :aro-u: Looks to be a better lathe than some of the new ones on the market
these days.
Cheers Tony.:2tsup:

tea lady
22nd October 2009, 10:46 PM
'cept for all those things poking out of the tool rest bango. Is it? Great potential to get in the way, but easily solved.:cool:

On closer inspection that's te duplicator isn't it? :doh: Looks great then.

Daddy3x
23rd October 2009, 05:31 AM
That's the duplicator bolted down-Excalibur brand. I think I saw that alone listed for $600 USD one time. Only saw one in use on tv, looks pretty neat if you do spindle work, but for me, seems to take away from the art.

brendan stemp
23rd October 2009, 07:53 AM
Looks like an excellent lathe. If you can get it under a $1000 you will be doing very well.

Paul39
23rd October 2009, 11:54 AM
Here is a review of a General Lathe:

WoodCentral's BP Archives: General 160-1 Lathe (http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/general160-1.shtml)

My rule of thumb, used price = 1/2 of new if in good working condition.

Duplicators are nice if you are making porch spindles or table legs. I understand that they do not cut as nicely as hand held tools and require a lot of sanding. I have not used a duplicator.

The duplicator may cost $600 new but if you will never use it, it is worth nothing.

I have a duplicator on a shelf under 2 inches of sanding dust.

The 160-1 lathe swings 15" in the gap but 12" over the rest of the bed. If you use a chuck, that does not leave much room in the gap for deep bowls.

Here is what I found from a dealer in GA. I think yours is a 160-1.

http://www.redmond-machinery.com/general%20160-2.htm

Looks like a solid well made lathe.

gtwilkins
23rd October 2009, 04:09 PM
Looks like a 260 20" model. These things are bombproof, still made in Canada.

GENERAL 260 VARIABLE SPEED WOOD LATHE [GEN260VD - GENERAL 260 20" SWING LATHE] - $5,395.00 : Island WoodCraft Supply, Complete Woodworking Solutions (http://www.islandwoodcraft.ca/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=13&products_id=60)

Trevor
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Farnk
24th October 2009, 11:59 AM
That's the duplicator bolted down-Excalibur brand. I think I saw that alone listed for $600 USD one time. Only saw one in use on tv, looks pretty neat if you do spindle work, but for me, seems to take away from the art.


I see your point, but would be essential for process work. My stairs have 37 identically turned uprights. That would be a nightmare to do by hand!

They use CNC based gear for stuff like that nowdays, do they not?

skot
24th October 2009, 01:34 PM
Looks like a well built lathe but remember....IF THE HEAD & TAIL STOCKS DO NOT LINE UP PERFECTLY IT MAY AS WELL BE AN ANCHOR.

joe greiner
24th October 2009, 09:31 PM
Might as well toot my own horn: http://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/visual-calipers-102822/

Cheers,
Joe