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May 14, 2007
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I presently have a General International lathe with a seven speed setting. The lathe is 6 years old. I cannot get the speed low enough to turn larger pieces so I am wondering if I should spend up to $1000 to change the headstock to a variable speed version or sell the unit and buy a new lathe (Jet 1642 1 1/2 hp). If the upgrade made sense I could buy a mini lathe with what I would save by doing the change but my 1st choice would be to change lathes. Advice?

Thanks

Keith
 
Keith
I have a General (NOT international) 160-18 that I made from a 160-12 but anyway.I put an older 1hp DC drive from CSUSA on it and left the sheave pulleys
I can run from about 2rpm to way higher then even Jimmy Clews would want.You can get a AC drive and new moter for around 4 or 5 hundred $ on line.
This is just a thought, If your tired of the lathe or want to up-grade for other reasons by all means go new.
 
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