looking for advise

[helgi]

It looks like that I will be able to spent some cash on a lathe.
At present I'm turning on a general maxi lathe, but would like to get up to a variable speed.
My question to the members in paradise is, is there a lathe available in canada that has the least quirks and setup issues?
My turning consists mainly of pen and some pepper & salt mills, later on I might try boxes etc.
Thank you for any info you might have,
Helgi.

[spike69]

Hi dan, I just recentely purchased a general VS maxi lathe and I love it!:D:D

http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/25200a.html

[Mike in Nanaimo]

Hi Dan;
I too have had the General 25-200 for about 2 years now and love it.
Cheers
Mike

[helgi]

Hi Brian,
Thanks for the comeback, yes I can not really complain about the Maxi neither,only thing it is not a variable speed.
And since the people in Ottawa are going to be good this year I might just give myself a present.
My main concern was with the VS Maxi, the problem with the speed control I am not sure if that has been corrected.
Do you have any info on that issue,it looks to me that you don't have that problem, I think Mike in Nanaimo has the same Lathe and I'm sure that he is happy with it too.
Thanks again,
Dan.

[spike69]

Hi,I've only had it for a few weeks now and I have also heard about those problems about the VS but it seems fine with me so far.
There was a thread on here about that and someone said that the issue was solved.
hope this helps.

[Sawdust]

I also heard that it was fixed. I don't have one but recall reading it on one of these forums.

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

Hi Dan; I was very much interested in the GI Maxi VS some time ago until some turners on Sawmill Creek poohpoohed the idea of getting rid of my Delta Rockwell for the Maxi.

They all had high regards for the Maxi, but just didn't think I should get rid of the big old girl I have.

I talked to the sales guy at the Toronto show about the VS problem and he assured me that had been corrected. It appeared to be the computer board getting knocked around in transit. The VS was still working, but the speed wasn't reading correctly in the window. By all accounts anyone that had a problem, had it fixed very quickly by General.

I'm still lusting after the Maxi, but for now, discretion will rule over valour! I'm envious of you getting it! Be sure not to post any pictures of it in your shop when you get it.:D

[Crickett]

I am sneaking in to post under Crickett's name. Seems only fair since she uses my lathe.......our lathe! Haven't joined because she is the one with the passion for the pens, I'm just an enabler.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLVSKIT.html

Helgi

Have you considered swapping the motor instead of replacing the entire lathe for one that is essentially the same? Even with exchange and shipping you are going to have a lot of extra cash for tools and pen kits. Some of the ornamental turners use them to power an overhead drive on their MDF rose engines and they have no issues with the quality.

Pete aka Inspector

[helgi]

Hello, to all of you I'm floored and thankful for all the good advise and suggestions that have come this way, it must be certainly a popular piece of equipment. And having looked and awed over the various art pieces that you guy's put out there its still amazes me that my keyboard hasn't shorted out yet with all the drool over it.Mack don't worry about any photo's as far as that goes I have two left hands, Mike, I will give you a heads up when we are getting to the island. Pete, I will look into that conversion setup thanks for the heads up. I have some time on my hand anyway to look around as it is still a deep freeze in this part of the country, one of the reasons we are going to scout the island again.
Thanks for good suggestions.
Dan.

[Woodpro]

I gave myself this little Grizzly lathe for Christmas a few years back: http://grizzly.com/products/VS-Mini-Wood-Lathe/G9247. I found that my Delta Midi was a little heavy to carry around to craft shows and this little guy only weighs 45 lbs.. You won't turn bowls with it but it's smooth as a sewing machine for pen turning and the VS is great and you'll never beat the price! Never had a glitch of any kind with it. I've been using it for 7-8 years and never had to replace anything. Direct drive so no belt to worry about. Tough little critter!:D

[ttcanuck]

I'm looking to purchase the Lee Valley Taig mini lathe to get me started.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=43104&cat=1,330,50260&ap=1

Any feedback on what that unit is like?

Ted

[ttcanuck]

The Delta lathe is no longer available in stores. How are the General and Craftsman lathes?

Here are the links

General http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B0012RWZ0I/sr=1-2/qid=1237821284/ref=sr_1_2/178-9811569-7147062?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=APS

Craftsman http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000FJLRIA/sr=1-0/qid=1237821856/ref=sr_1_0/178-9811569-7147062?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core&mqnodeid=APS

Many, many thanks.

Ted

[HetmanRoman]

Ted,

I'm in the same predicament as you. I want to buy a couple of lathes for the school I teach at but am not sure what to buy. I have called Delta Canada/USA and they have told me that the new Delta mini lathes will be available in April/May. They will have variable and a 5 or 6 speed lathe available at that time. They however did not tell me a price point. Hope this helps.

[Louis]

The Maxi VS is in my sights as well.

I really want VS and I love the shorter bed (with the possibility of adding an extension). The General seems the only one fitting the deal.

[Cork]

Greetings
Going with the advise of members from this group, I also bought a General VS maxi lathe several months ago and have been extremely pleased. No problems at all with the machine; all my problems have been a direct result of the operator! ;-)

Cork

[ttcanuck]

I called about the Maxi at Sears and in speaking with the rep the price on it worked out to just over $300, so I ordered it. The list price on the website is $480 so not a bad deal.

Down side is I have to wait until mid-April until it's here...

Thanks for all the good advice.

Ted