An opportunity has arisen in which I can purchase a well used General Canada 160-2 Lathe. The owner is selling to upsize.
Apparently it was used in a high school prior to coming to use in the current owners shop. I have looked at the lathe, and it seems in okay condition… not that I was thrilled with it. Any plastic knobs have been knocked off, the labels peeled up, and so forth. The bed is fairly scratched up, but flat. It has apparently gone through a recent servicing, with the motor and bearings being replace. The owner has also replaced the belt system with a new link belt. The machine shows it’s age on the outside… The did not clean spend too much time cleaning it up. The headstock and tailstock align properly.
I can get it for 1/3 the price of a new one ($2700 New, ~$800 used). Is this a gem or a dud? I have only purchased new machines up to this point. But since primarily I am not a turner, I don’t really want to spend the money on a new Lathe.
I’ve been thinking that it runs well enough, maybe a little TLC could restore the outside.
Any comments?
Replies
Buster,
I use an ex High school lathe.
Nothing wrong with it - lots of cosmetic blemishes.
Just check that the centre of the tailstock and the headstock are the same height off the bed (run the tailstock to the headstock - they should mate)
[edit: oops!! re-read your post and you've done this]
Otherwise, go for it, especially if it's had a rebuild recently.
CHeers,
eddie
Edited 2/7/2006 3:45 am by eddiefromAustralia
Sounds not too bad to me.As long as there is no structural defect or damage, only cosmetic damageI would go for it.You can easily replace or make the knobs and spray it.
The bed should be checked for cracks (unlikely I would think for a decent lathe like that). See that no little boys have been hammering on the bed.... Check out the threads on tthe spindle nose, and that the tailstock threads are working smoothly, not stretched.The tapers should be clean and smooth. Make sure all basic attachments are present -drive centers, face plates, tool posts.
If bearings have been replaced in motor and headstock, run the motor with no drive belt-it should start and run smoothly. Rotate the headstock spindle by hand-should be smooth and even running-no discernable play, radial or lateral.
Pulleys firm on shafts, not running out of true.
Electrics: starter switch in good order-remove cover and look for any signs of overheating or dodgey wiring.
If it is the one I am thinking of , it is a good machine.
Philip,
Thanks for your advice. Some things I hadn't thought of checking, specifically the threads. That's one thing about high school kids, they over tighten everything.
This is the standard high school Lathe here in Canada. It's General Canada's cheapest model, before going into the GI line.
Thanks again.
Buster
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