Are General 160 lathes any good?

[Jeremy Parkins]

I am looking for my first lathe. I was wondering if I the VS General 160 is a good lathe. I was going to buy a jet 1220vs but I can get the used General for about the same price. Also, I would like to turn bowls and the general seems limited in its ability to turn outboard.

Thanks
Jeremy

[Sean Troy]

They will both turn 12" dia. but the General will have more stability as it weighs more.

[Ron Fleice]

I have a General 160-18 VS Very heavy duty lathe, well
built and has handled anything I can throw at it...Variable speed starts
at 0 up to whatever...I have never used the outboard as I haven't
had a need to do a bowl larger than 17"...Made in Canada
Absolutely no complaints
Ron

[curtis rosche]

we have the 2 biggest lathes that general make at our school. they have held up to many years of heavy abuse. the only problem we have had is that after so much use, the banjo on the tool rest and tailstoke is shot, because one kid decided a hammer was the way to tighten it

[Jeremy Parkins]

I may have to go take a look... I wonder if I can make it the -18 model. I have high hopes of bowl turning :).

[curtis rosche]

did you take a look at vega lathes?

[Jeremy Parkins]

There is a General for sale near me was more the reason for my question. I may start to look at new lathes if a good used one does not turn up.

Thanks,
Jeremy