General 26020 vs. Powermatic 3520

Re: General 26020 vs. Powermatic 3520

JamieDonaldson

>Brad- I haven't compared price difference between these 2 machines lately, but favor the Powermatic over the General because of the advantage of the sliding headstock. I have not heard of any defect relative to the sliding feature, and I do see many Powermatics as I travel. Another consideration is the pending introduction of the new model 3520b which is scheduled to be shown at the AAW Symposium in KC next month. Price point is said to be about the same as the "a" model but some dealers may discount old inventory to make room for new model.

If..........

Terry Daniel

>Brad, if you were talking about a General built about 3 years ago there would be no doubt which one I would choose. The 260 with the 3 piece toolrest assembly was a fine lathe. The new General may be ok but it just isn't as nice as they were. Comparing today's models, I see no cleaf winner. Take the one whose color you like best.

TD

Re: If..........

Hawaii Turner

>Brad,

My only experience with the P/W is that a friend has one, and is completely satisfied.I have never turned on one.

My experience with the Gen. is that a friend has 2 of them, and is somewhat satisfied, I feel that he doesn't know better.I've watched him turn and there is a lot of chatter that I never experience on my machine. Our club has most of our guest turner demos there (Trent Bosch last weekend) as he has the largest shop with room for about 45 chairs and ample parking. While most of them haven't said anything, each and every one has experienced chatter while turning either the inside or outside of their work in situations that I feel shouldn't happen. Because of the owner's experience with the chatter, I changed the bearings on the machines, resulting in less chatter, but some still present.

The second problem is that I feel that Gen. is a chicken s--- outfit in that when his Inverter drives went out, they were declered unserviceable and needed to be replaced. O.K., I can understand that repairing electronics today is not feasable, but they told him that a NEW MOTOR was necessary along with the VFD, At $1300 a shot. The first time, he went along with it. He gave me the old motor,thich I added an other brand VFD to, and have used it for over a year without any trouble. When the second VFD quit, same story and price, slightly higher, I believe. This time, we set up a Leeson VFD that is more user friendly and I believe cost him about $400.

Based on these exp. with General, I wouldnt buy one, at any price.

Aloha, and good hunting, Doug

Re: If..........

Russ Fairfield

>The moving head of the Powermatic is a nice feature that makes it into an optional shortbed lathe. That is something you will appreciate.

I do lot of my sanding in the lathe with the power OFF, and all of my finishing in the lathe; and that and that makes a useable handwheel, indexing, and a spindle lock important to me. These are the deal breaker on the Powermatic. The Powermatic has a 2-position spindle lock that doesn't "lock", no indexing, and the motor location prevents having a handwheel of a useful size. An optional add-on indexing is available from Powermatic, and there are a couple woodturners working on making something available at a lower price; or you can make your own. The switch can be modified to make it "lock". But there is no way to add a larger handwheel.

If the General resolves these problems without having to make or buy something else, it would be my choice.

I hear the rumors that the new Powermatic will correct the spindle lock and index issues. If that is true, I would still prefer the larger handwheel, and would select the General for that reason alone, all other things being equal.

Re: If..........

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont.

>Was that General...or the distributer he bought from?

take care,

Jim

I've heard the same stories

Terry Daniel

>

Re: General 26020 vs. Powermatic 3520

Keith Tompkins

>Hi Brad, I've been turning on my General for two years...not a problem..nothing.

I have turned on almost any machine imaginable..I think the General compares very favorably. However...the overall machine is obsolete; being based on a design from the '40's I would quess.

Being somewhat used to the machine, I have made a list of improvements the machine needs, and being a bit of an inventor,even designed my own machine. I have been in contact with some of the General people about changes they need to make in order to stay "in the hunt" with the competition.

For instance, the gap bed needs to go....they need a superb outboard turning tool rest assembly. The tailstock needs more travel, and should be hollow for drilling operations. The drive belt should be replaced by a cog-tooth arrangement. AND their advertising is TERRIBLE!

Other than that....LOL

Re: General 26020 vs. Powermatic 3520

Russ Fairfield

>Keith,

Add superior after sale service and you just described a Oneway {8>)

Re: General 26020 vs. Powermatic 3520

Keith Tompkins

>Would anyone buy a white General? LOL, thanks, Russ

General

Hawaii Turner

>

Re: Also

Hawaii Turner

>How about how weakly the banjo clamps to the bed of the General? When my friend tried the Kelton coring system, the banjo would not hold and tipped so badly that the blade bent. Also, the distance from the top of the toolrest socket in the banjo to the centerline of the spindle doesn't allow for much in the way of toolrest height adjustment or custom/beefy toolrests to be made. The width of the base of the banjo is also too narrow for good stability, IMO.

Aloha, Doug

I Guess I Don't Get It

Jim Shaver - Oakville, Ontario

>Hi,

I guess I just don't understand why they would respond that way to your friend.

I sent the link to the General Service people today to read, I shall be interested in reading what their response is to the comments and situation you described.

take care,

Jim

Re: General 26020 vs. Powermatic 3520

Brad Vietje

>Keith -- the General isn't white; that's the Colonel !

; )

Brad Vietje

Thetford, VT

Re: Also

Keith Tompkins

>HI Doug, I agree with one statement, the tool post does not have enough vertical adjustment.

However, I must take issue with your comments about the way the banjo clamps weakly to the bed of the lathe. There are several factors that you didn't mention concerning your friend's coring process:

1. was the coring system set up properly?

2. was the tool sharp?

3.was your friend applying undue force in the coring process?

4.Is the Kelton system comparable to other systems on the market? Does the geometry of the Kelton product add undue stress to other components?

5.Is he turning on the right lathe for him in the first place?

6.Is he a skilled turner in the first place?

Keep in mind that a lathe such as the General was originally designed as a SPINDLE lathe, and shares many of the drawbacks of a spindle lathe. If someone is going to core bowls on a regular basis, especially BIG bowls, they should seriously consider a dedicated bowl lathe, specifically designed for coring and turning bowls. AND after they purchase the big bowl lathe, they should be aware that it will function as a mediocre spindle lathe at best.

Another anectdotal story: I watched a turner break three One-Way tool rests during a demonstration. Should I conclude that the One-Way tool rest is a piece of junk? Should I recommend other turners not buy a One-Way lathe based on my observations? Should I ask readers to condemn a product without considering all the factors involved....especially operator error?

The General has a very loyal following here and elsewhere in the turning community. Is it the best machine in the world? NO, it is not. Is it a machine to be avoided, as you imply? No, it is not.

Re: Also

JHS

>Are you using the same lathe? I have accomplished all the tasks you mentioned without problem or incident. Beleive me I don't baby the lather.

Re: I thought the colonel was yellow.

Al Crandall --NE of Indy--

>My guess is that it was Colonel Mustard, in the library, turning a candlestick.

NAH -- The colonel is chicken !

Brad Vietje

>