Delta vs General
mcoultes
I would appreciate any comments pro or con from people who have these
lathes.
Dave Shombert
delivery of the General 260-20 yesterday. Spent today in the shop, of
course. This machine is smooth, quiet, steady - words fail me. I
started with a Nova TL1500 (forerunner of the 3000), which was a decent
lathe. Especially after I added variable speed. But turning on this
General is like going to a whole new level. EVERYTHING that I did just
seemed so much easier than on the old machine. I literally don't know
how to describe the difference and do it justice.
I can't speak to the Delta, but I sure don't see how anyone can go wrong
with one of these babies. I also want to publicly praise Ron Damon, of
Wood Werks, in Columbus OH. He was helpful and straightforward, and his
prices are fair. I'm a happy boy.
Dave Shombert
Elkins, WV
Steve Tiedman
bearings, bigger spindle (1 1/4" thread size vs. Delta's 1" thread size),
models with up to 20" swing, speed changed by variable speed A/C
controller with the 4 step pulleys is available, and overall I would just
have a higher comfort level with the General. I know you wanted info
from owners of these lathes- I own neither, I just know what I would buy
given the choice between the 2. I know a fella that has the General
26020 and he loves it.
I would also look at the Woodfast and Vicmarc.
Good luck.
--
Steve Tiedman
stevet...@uswest.net
St. Paul, MN, USA
-----------------------
Laconverse
on.
Lowell Converse
Beavercreek, OH
http://home.earthlink.net/~laconverse
Juergen
from a Delta and have never looked back.
Juergen
Colorado Springs, CO
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=121723
In article <rxV%5.9789$t3.1...@tor-nn1.netcom.ca>,
Sent via Deja.com
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Jim
Juergen <jschl...@home.com> wrote:
> No question about it, go with the General. I upgraded to the General
> from a Delta and have never looked back.
was it the Delta 46-612 you upgraded from, or are we comparing apples
and oranges here?
Just curious!
Jim...
Bob DeBula
Dave Shombert <shom...@meer.net> wrote:
>
>I can't speak to the Delta, but I sure don't see how anyone can go wrong
>with one of these babies. I also want to publicly praise Ron Damon, of
>Wood Werks, in Columbus OH. He was helpful and straightforward, and his
>prices are fair. I'm a happy boy.
I've talked with Ron any number of times when visiting the store. He's
always been incredibly helpful and knowlegable IME. Woodwerks is one of
my favorite places to spend a couple hours. If you ever get the chance
to visit the store (dunno, maybe you have, depending on whether you
mail ordered the General or not) it is a worthwhile detour, IMO. I
like to visit every month or so to check out their turning stock (the
back room is actually a sales area open to the public too and is where
all the wood is stocked). For example, not only do they have the major
cabinet saws in their showroom, but they also have several of them with
the tops raised off the base so you can examine the arbor, etc. (not
lathes, I know, but you get the idea). They have big sales/shows at
least twice a year (usually once in September and once in January).
Factory reps to answer questions, free coffee and food, and specials
(I've seen Delta and Jet get into what appeared to me as a minor price
war at these occassionally each trying to price lower than the other).
They usally also have a turner demoing a lathe (lately it has been a
minilathe -- last time was the Delta midilathe). If you think you might
be within driving distance, you'll want to call them and ask to be put
on their mailing list for their sales flyer (it usually has some
coupons and could be valuable in deciding whether it's worth a drive).
About the only thing they don't stock, which I wish they did, is Nova
(they have the Jet intermediate and the Delta, but not the Nova 3000,
for example). Woodwerks has a very sparse (it's been "under
construction" for years now :) web page which does have their phone
(800) number (at "http://www.woodwerks.com").
Coming up in Columbus, Ohio is the "Greater Columbus Woodworking Show"
at the state fairgrounds on January 19, 20, and 21st (info at
"http://thewoodshows.com/cmhexh.html"). Hitting the show and then the
(usually, but I haven't recieved a flyer yet, so I can't guarantee it)
sale at Woodwerks has become an annual tradition for me.
Juergen
600 series except for the motor size and a little heavier bed
construction. The design and dimension are essentially the same 12"
swing, 1x8 spindle, etc..
let me list the things that drove me nuts about the Delta:
1.The variable speed sucks, it's noisy, slips and not adjustable unless
the spindle is turning.
2. The bed was out of alignment by >1/8"
3. The spindle had < .005 runout out of the box. When I called Delta
they wouldn't/couldn't give me a spec.
4. The bearings were noisy after 6 months use.
5. The lathe was just plain noisy.
6. Slippage of the belts caused premature wear and their subsequent
replacement in the 1st year.
7. The lathe was relatively light and would walk without 3-400 Lbs of
balast.
I could name several other items I consider deficiencies of the design,
however, I don't want to beat this horse to death.
After Living with my General 280 with the EV speed control, my turning
has gone to a higher level. I've NEVER had a problem of any sort. I
would buy another in a minute. You can even adjust the ram-up/down
speed on the electronic controller.
If you have any other questions feel fren to contact me.
Juergen
Colorado Springs, CO
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=121723
====================================================
http://www.deltawoodworking.com/catalog/default.asp?cat_id=15&model_no=
46-542
In article <91rudv$9sm$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
Dave Shombert
five hour drive for me, but I did go there to order the lathe. I was on
my way to visit Jim Burrowes near Dayton, and I stopped at Wood Werks on
the way. They put me on the mailing list, and I might try to time the
next visit to coincide with the next sale.
Dave Shombert
Elkins, WV
Juergen
http://www.deltawoodworking.com/catalog/default.asp?cat_id=15&model_no=
46-541
In article <91uiec$cvb$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>,
Herman de Vries
(on the woodturnings "2000" button) and see how much my new General
25020VP looks at home in my basement shop. You can also see the kind of
work I am going to be asking it to do, except much bigger. Boy, am I
happy to have this lathe!!!! It is the fourth I've had, and definitely
will be the last.
This baby is POWERFUL, quiet, heavy, vibration-less, smooth, and very
well made. I haven't turned on the Delta, but I haven't regretted this
purchase for one second. Shoulda bought it years ago.
Herm
mcou...@netcom.ca (mcoultes) wrote in <rxV%5.9789$t3.14420@tor-
nn1.netcom.ca>:
Herman de Vries
>I would NOT buy a General.
>This lathe was designed in the 40's, top of the line for it's time.
>But General has never listened to anyone's complaints on this machines
>bad points.
>
>Our club has had one since 1989.
>1. Tool rest has never been rock solid on the lathe bed. - slips
>2. does get some vibration.
>there are some other concerns.
>
>The Oneway is the way to go. Very superior lathe.
>
Well, getting the tool rest to sit solid is not rocket science. Mine
is as solid as can be, no problem at all. Seems odd that your club
hasn't figured out how to adjust the simple cam clamp to hold more
firmly.
As far as vibration is concerned, I've put some big pieces on this
lathe, and vibration has not been a problem either. The secret is to
keep the piece spinning at a pace relative to its size. Any lathe will
vibrate if a heavy, off-balance piece is turned too fast.
Secondly, I tried the Oneway. It's a nice lathe all right, but for
damn near double the price there is no way it is worth the extra
money.
Herm.
Mike
it for everything from pens to deep hollow forms. It does everything a lathe
is supposed to do.
"Herman de Vries" <herm...@hdv.net> wrote in message
news:9018D7D2C...@24.66.95.16...