General 260-20 vs Woodfast or Vicmark lathes

Brent and Brooke Hollingsworth

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Mar 9, 2001, 11:02:22 PM3/9/01

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I am looking to purchase a larger lathe and have read about the features of
the General 26020, Woodfast and Vicmark lathes, but have never actually seen
them in operation. We do not have a dealer for any of them in Texas. For
the money it seems the General would be the best buy, but I thought I would
ask if anyone has had the opportunity to turn on all three and would give me
your opinions on the pros and cons. Thanks for all the help and good
turning.

Brent
bb...@texas.net

Craig McCormick

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Mar 10, 2001, 7:16:31 AM3/10/01

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Brent,

You might also look at the Woodfast C1000. You can look at mine at
http://ArtisticWoodturnings.homestead.com/wp2.html
It is also available with a factory made stand. I purchased mine at Craft
Supplies.

Good luck,

Craig
Brent and Brooke Hollingsworth <bb...@texas.net> wrote in message
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Jim Seybert

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Mar 10, 2001, 4:48:48 PM3/10/01

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I can't remember when I saw it, but there was a thread on this NG a few
months ago about a Canadian turning group that was using the Generals.
You might want to search back or check the sites for the Canadian
turners. Sorry I can't be of more help; good luck...they're all fine
machines.

Jim in Hazleton, PA

Blabla

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Mar 10, 2001, 8:01:38 PM3/10/01

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I like the extra lenth and turning diameter of the Vicmark. If you ever
need parts the General will be better because they are made in canada where
as the woodfast and vicmark are aussie

"Brent and Brooke Hollingsworth" <bb...@texas.net> wrote in message
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Andyc

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Mar 11, 2001, 12:08:32 AM3/11/01

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All 3 are superior lathes. The general may be the best bang for the buck.
The General has the most mass in the HS and I think it has the greatest
distance between the spindle bearings. The bearings are the same style in
the gen as the Woodfast. The gen uses a V-belt, the WF and the Vik;
flat-belts(beats me if one is better than the other... I doubt it) The Viks
flatbelt is wider than the flatbelt in the WF. As such the Vik's HS sheave
has fewer speed steps then the WF. The Vik uses tapered bearings which I'm
told can be adjusted as they wear. The Vik has the most surface area
contact between the TS and the bed.
I believe the lower parts of the General's stand is made with lighter sheet
metal while the WF and Vik/stands from craftsupplies are fairly heafty sheet
steel.
If cost is not an issue, the Vik provides the adjustable bearings, wider
flatbelt, better TS contact with the bed and a longer bed... and it comes in
blue... ;-) (On the otherhand, if cost is no issue why not Oneway or
Stubby????)

If cost is an issue the General can be had for the least... especially if
you're in the US buying from a CAN supplier.

"Brent and Brooke Hollingsworth" <bb...@texas.net> wrote in message
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James Barley

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Mar 11, 2001, 1:03:34 AM3/11/01

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By "Style" I assume you mean "Ball bearings"
Worth noting is, the Woodfast has 4 bearings in their headstock, while the
General has only 2.

"Andyc" <an...@nospam.net> wrote in message
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jlu...@tntech.edu

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Mar 12, 2001, 1:33:28 PM3/12/01

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Brent
I told that flat belts have more area in contact with the sheave so they
transmit more power from the motor to the spindle. I believe they reduce the
vibration also. Does anyone know this for sure. John l.

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andyc

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Mar 13, 2001, 4:39:38 PM3/13/01

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Surface contact... I'm not too sure if the flat is better. IMO there's no
diff in vibration. I doubt it really matters... except that the sheave for
the flatbelt needs alot more room for different speed channels.

<jlu...@tntech.edu> wrote in message news:98j4po$29q$1...@news.netmar.com...

> Brent
> I told that flat belts have more area in contact with the sheave so
they
> transmit more power from the motor to the spindle. I believe they reduce
the
> vibration also. Does anyone know this for sure. John l.
>
> ----- Posted via NewsOne.Net: Free (anonymous) Usenet News via the