Anyone have any info or thoughts on General lathe models 25-600, 25-650?
Where are they made?
What price range are they in?

Thanks,

LB

"Q47M" wrote in message
...
Anyone have any info or thoughts on General lathe models 25-600, 25-650?
Where are they made?
What price range are they in?


Try this:
http://www.general.ca/english/product.htm

Bjarte

LB,
What exactly is the 25-600 or 25-650? I have the General 26020 which
means it's the bigger model (260) and turns 20" and is variable speed.
I used to have the 160-12, which is not worth talking about nor
buying.

I do believe just about the whole machine, including nuts and bolts are
made in Canada.
Chris is the head tech guy (we got to know each other really well when
I had the 160!) and his tech help is worth buying a General.

I doubt I've helped you.

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com

wrote in message
ups.com...
LB,
What exactly is the 25-600 or 25-650? I have the General 26020 which
means it's the bigger model (260) and turns 20" and is variable speed.
I used to have the 160-12, which is not worth talking about nor
buying.

I do believe just about the whole machine, including nuts and bolts are
made in Canada.
Chris is the head tech guy (we got to know each other really well when
I had the 160!) and his tech help is worth buying a General.

I doubt I've helped you.

Ruth
www.torne-lignum.com


They are "new" models and are branded General International not General
which means they are manufactured off-shore or not in Canada. They have the
rotating headstock similar to that employed on various lathes but the bed
looks more like the bed on a 260 except a bit smaller. There are pictures on
their website. I can't comment on these lathes but I will say what I always
say, General International is not General!
Billh

I looked at and touched one of these at a dealer's show room last February
and was quite impressed with the quality of castings and machining. Tool
rest banjo and tailstock moved smoothly and easily. I did not try to move
the headstock. The one that I saw was the electronic VS model; General
also makes a mechanical VS model that is less money. This kind of lathe,
with the longer bed, would, I, believe make an excellent machine for a
furniture shop. It would be good for hollowing with a captured boring bar,
but the less than 20 inch swing would be too limiting for many turners. On
the other hand the price is a whole lot less than a 20 inch 260. I did not
think the supplied stand was up to General's old standard. It looked and
felt flimsy. This piece of metal would need modification and beefing up.
Might be better to have a custom steel or wooden stand fabricated or DIY.

I would be tempted to wait until the clones come out. Like the way King
copied the 25-100 Maxi lathe, exactly. And sold it for a whole lot less
money.

"Jo-Anne & Edward Tabachek" wrote in message
...
I looked at and touched one of these at a dealer's show room last February
and was quite impressed with the quality of castings and machining. Tool
rest banjo and tailstock moved smoothly and easily. I did not try to move
the headstock. The one that I saw was the electronic VS model; General
also makes a mechanical VS model that is less money. This kind of lathe,
with the longer bed, would, I, believe make an excellent machine for a
furniture shop. It would be good for hollowing with a captured boring
bar, but the less than 20 inch swing would be too limiting for many
turners. On the other hand the price is a whole lot less than a 20 inch
260. I did not think the supplied stand was up to General's old standard.
It looked and felt flimsy. This piece of metal would need modification and
beefing up. Might be better to have a custom steel or wooden stand
fabricated or DIY.

I would be tempted to wait until the clones come out. Like the way King
copied the 25-100 Maxi lathe, exactly. And sold it for a whole lot less
money.



I'm not sure if King copied the Maxi lathe. I don't doubt that it looks like
the Maxi but I think the basic designs come out of a factory and the
manufacturers like General International and King then have them painted and
labelled for their companies. If asked what the difference is, the stock
reply is that "our inspectors use tighter specs and better internal parts
that you can't see". I must admit in the case of the bigger lathes being
discussed the General 260 looking bed is a bit of a wrinkle in my point.
Billh