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Maxed Out Midi Lathe.
General International’s New Variable Speed Maxi-Lathe VS has all the great features that made its predecessor, the General 25-100 so popular. Both machines are made of heavy cast iron for stability and low vibration and feature quick release control levers and a #2 Morse taper head and tailstock.
But General has added some significant upgrades to the 25-200VS. They upped the horsepower from 1/2 hp to 3/4 hp and the swing over the bed grew from a 10 in. to 12 in. The distance between centers is stretched from 15 in. to 17-5/16 in. That distance can be enhanced to an impressive 49 in. with the purchase of an accessory cast iron extension bed.
The headstock on the new 200VS can pivot 360-degrees with positive stops at 180-degrees for outboard turning. Outboard turning yields a 19-1/4 in. swing for some pretty serious bowl turning capacity. The headstock features positive spindle indexing in 10-degree increments.
Another welcome feature for turners is the electronic variable speed with digital readout. The variable speed is coupled with a three-step pulley system to yield three speed ranges: 300-900, 600-1800 & 1200-3600 RPM. A quick release lever makes changing the belt position for each speed range a snap.
Of course all these additional features have caused the lathe to put on a little weight. At 146 pounds, the 25-200 is getting a bit on the heavy side for a portable lathe. The lathe comes equipped with a live center, spur center, knockout bar & safety glasses.
Source:
General International, 514- 326-1161, www.general.ca, 25-200 M1 – VARIABLE SPEED “MAXI-LATHE VS+”, $670.
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