General Maxi-Lathe VS+

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mrcook4570

mrcook4570

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My wife is asking for (demanding ;)) a lathe that she can call her own. I am considering the General Maxi-Lathe VS+ over a Jet mini vs because of the larger motor, larger swing, ability to turn outboard. I would like to hear the opinions of any with firsthand experience with this lathe. If you had it to do over, would you buy it again?

How portable is it? Is it small enough to be moved frequently?

Thanks
 
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Stan
Just bought one in June. I love it but for portability it is a monster. It weights in at 150 lbs. I do mobility unit on it to move it around in the shop. You can take the head stock off and the tail stock. The lathe ways are not to heavy about 50 lbs. The tail stock weights in about 80 lbs.

I had a delta midi now have the general maxi. I would buy it again with out thinking.

Besure to get the full package. The lathe, stand, and mobility package.

Alan
 
I have one and love it. Would I do it again, hummmm, yes I think I would.

I do think it may be a little over priced but not too bad. I bought it for the VS and the 12 swing. It is a very solid lathe with some heft to it and thus I would not consider it a portable unit.

I did have some problems with the speed controller as it would shut off after 10-15 minutes of use. The sent me a new one and I have not had any problems with it since then.

I have not used a Jet mini so I cannot compare them.

Scott
 
I've got one in the trunk of my car right now !!! Got it today.. I've had the regular model for four years and it's great. As for portability, like it was said, forget it, you need a mobile base. It's very heavy but the upside is that there are no vibrations and it's very, very solid. It's not cheap like some other small lathes that I saw. You'll like it a lot, I'm sure. [:)][:p]
 
I have the Jet VS Midi. It's great for pens, but the motor is under powered to do anything too large. I get bigger than about 4" in dia and I can stop it from turning without trying. Gets very annoying.
 
Never tried the General, but my 1014 is awesome. Accurate as can be. I don't turn anything too bis, so that doesn't matter to me. Love the Jet. Not the heaviest thing in my shop either.
 
Thanks to all for your comments about the General. I have a jet mini non vs, so I know what I would be getting there. My wife wants a vs lathe.
 
Originally posted by mrcook4570
<br />My wife wants a vs lathe.
Click to expand...

I had the non-vs jet and I sold it and bought the vs model shortly after it came out. My (never so humble)opinion is that the VS jet mini was kind of a disappointment. I never found the vs to be any more useful that the standard Jet mini. Once you get used to it you can change speeds in a matter of seconds and I think the extra "c note" could have been better spent on pen kits or turning tools. But that's just me.
 
Jamie
Mine gets dow right hot. Yes it is normal. Most of the hit is be created by the tail stock and the tool. If the motor get real hot then there is a problem.
 
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