Is this a new model of lathe?

What seems new about it?

A friend of mine got one a while back and it is a very good machine. In fact it blows all others away. To exceed it you would have to spend more than double and what you got would be more purdy but not any better. Certainly more fragile.

John

Denis Marier wrote:

I bought one a year ago and it is a sturdy, smooth machine with lots of power. Zero to 3000rpm with the twist of a dial and you can use 3 other pulleys on the spindle shaft to increase the torque (top speed is reduced) This is handy for big blanks.

The General 260 series has been around for some time with a 4 speed version and a mechanical variable speed version. These lathes had a 12" throw. They subsequently offered riser blocks for head and tailstocks to increase the swing to 20" then they came out with a 20" version. I think at this time the electronic variable speed was offered but I don't know the timeline for sure.

Lathe and stand weigh about 575lbs. Stand is heavy welded sheet steel. One complaint is the stand's backpanel which runs the length of the bed will drum or resonate sometimes. I have read this is easily cured by screwing a wooden board to it or hanging a bag of sand from the bed such that it rests on the panel.

Outboard tool rest and bed extension are available options for outboard turning. The inner spindle is 1-1/4"x8TPI RH thread whereas the outer spindle is 1-1/8"x8TPI LH thread.

It has a fairly sizeable gap in the bed near the non-swivelling headstock which would permit a 24" platter to be turned. A removable gap-filler bed extension is valuable for not having to worry about the banjo dropping off the bed if working close to the headstock. I bought one with mine.

Bill