HLW

Has anyone had any experience with General (Model 25-200) Lathes? I looked at one today in a store and seemed to be a well made lathe.I now own a Jet 1220 (which I'm very pleased with) and thought I might one day consider one of these as an upgrade. It's priced less than some of the upper end lathes on the market today, but offering many of the same features. WWW.GENERAL.CA

The woodsman

I'v never used this lathe,but have turned on the larger ones an wern't impressed with them at all.This is not a bad price,but you are only going to a 3/4 and thats not going to give you that much more power at all.I have the Nova 16-24 which is 1,100 right now,but you get a 1 1/2 HP motor.So you may want to save up if you decide to upgrade from what you have and get something with at least a 1 hp.Good luck on what you decide.

lanaisthehbomb

I had this lathe. After about 3 weeks the VS stopped working. I talked to general and they replaced the headstock. This supposedly happened on a lot of the beginning models. Since then it has worked very nicely. I have turned on the jet 1220 but prefer this much more. I recommend this lathe.

HLW

Thanks for the replies. I've only had the Jet since June and right now I'm very happy with the Jet 1220. You're right "Woodsman" I would not be increasing in hp at all, the 1220 is also 3/4 horse. I thought if the General was anything close to the Nova's reputation it might be worth looking at? I would welcome other opinions on the Nova vs General and other lathes.

The woodsman

I wasn't sure about the 1220 hp last might,thought it was 1/2hp.The Nova has rev , a 16" swing,swivelhead and that 1 1/2hp is awsome.I turned on a friends 2Hp general and was not impressed with it at all.It wouldn't be fair though to compare the 25-200 with the Nova as that would be like compairing the Nova to the Powermatic

HLW

"The woodsman" Does Nova still make the 16-24 and where did you purchase yours? Did you get it at a local store or mail order?

The woodsman

I ordered mine thru woodcraft,I could have picked it up while down here in Tampa,but then there would have been the handleing of it(alone)thats why I ordered it up in NC.When I got mine they were 995.00 I think,but they have gone up since.That was two yrs ago.I can core out 16" bowls with it with no problem.Its not the VS,but only takes about 10 sec max to change speeds.LOVE IT

vcooney

I would check online like Amazon or Maxtool. I bought my Jet 16/42 thru Amazon and they were a $100.00 cheaper then anyone else also free shipping and no tax.

Vince