On Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 4:50:11 PM UTC-6, graham wrote:
On 2018-02-10 3:35 PM, wrote:
On Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 7:46:40 AM UTC-6, graham wrote:

The General 160 lathe for $600 is probably a great buy. Value wise. BUT, its still a 12" swing lathe. Is 36" between centers. Pulley speed changes. Maybe Reeves drive to get variable speed. Not sure.

No, it's a 4-speed. If it had the Reeves drive, there would be a lever
on the front of the cabinet.
I'm faced with a similar problem regarding pricing. I have a 160 for
sale.


I hear you. Your problem is even though your 160 is undoubtedly a fine lathe, it really just isn't worth a whole lot today when compared to what you can buy brand new. For what you want for the 160, its possible to buy a brand new Chinese lathe with an extension bed and maybe variable speed and be able to do 120% of what the 160 can do.

I agree! My new lathe is a Nova Galaxi and although much more expensive
than the 160, is far more versatile.
However, I know some top-class turners still using the 260, which is a
bigger version of the 160 and used to grace the workshops of
internationally known turners until the likes of Oneway and Robust came
along.
Graham

The General 160 and 260 lathes are fine, fine lathes. Just like the now non existent Powermatic 90 and Delta made one similar too. 3 HP with variable speed I think. Or maybe it was pulleys, not sure. All fine 12" or 24" diameter lathes with 36" between centers. Pretty much identical to Oneway lathes today except Oneway is welded steel and not cast iron. All fine and good. But lathes have improved over the years. Sliding head stocks are far superior to the old time fixed head lathes. You get a short and long bed lathe in one. And you do not have to bend your body in half over the bed to hollow out a bowl. Pain.