Replies

1. 
   johnhenry | Jan 28, 2010 11:21pm | #1

   I got a General Midi lathe a few years back.

   For the most part it is good but a few problems crop up in it to be aware of.

   The bed extension is pretty pricey and it is hard to align the two parts to get the tail-stock to cross smoothly. The short version is not worth considering for the saving verses the longest one.

   The tool rest is a throw away. It was roughly ground and won't allow the tool to smoothly ride it.

   The whole tool was rather greasy and needed a thorough cleaning with mineral spirits first.

   I find the speed adjustment pulleys to be a bit slow but give a good range to select from.

   To make the tail-stock and tool rest move smoothly, I had to lap the bed with a wetstone

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 29, 2010 12:06am | #2

   I'd say get a smaller Grizzly
   I'd say get a smaller Grizzly if you like your big one.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 29, 2010 08:32pm | #8

   Will, as much as I like Grizzly tools (have taken a great deal of grief over the years because of this), I'd be careful about drawing the conclusion that if the big one is fine/great/wonderful, the mini would be the same. From what I've learned so far in this new endeavor, there are several places companies can cut corners on the mini's. Can and do, and some of the problems don't show up right away -- poor bearing design, for instance.

   Not saying Grizz mini or midi isn't good, ya got that, right?

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 29, 2010 12:11am | #3

   We used Jet midi's in the
   We used Jet midi's in the class I took with Bonnie Klein. She seemed to think highly of them, and I sure enjoyed working on one for 2 days. Sorry I don't know the exact model.

   View Image

1. 
   wotnow | Jan 29, 2010 05:13am | #4

   Hi FG, belated Happy New Year

   I have the Jet midi and it works superbly, no probs with the extension either. I have it mounted on a transportable base for doing demos and it runs smoothly with that limited support. I did make up longer tool rests as the ones on the midis tend to be a bit short.

   I think you will find by the looks of the different models they come from the same factory in China.

   wot

2. 
   BruceS | Jan 29, 2010 08:03pm | #6

   Just a personal observation about the way the skew is being held. The pointing fingers can be broken or disjointed easily if you have a nasty catch. I prefer having all four fingers wrapped around the tool!! A whole hand can pretty much assure that you won't end up with a broken finger or a tool in the face. Speaking of face. Full Face Shield along with glasses, no need to disfigure a pretty face.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 29, 2010 08:26pm | #7

   Bruce, are you talking about Bonnie in the picture I posted? She was talking to us and explaining about cutting with the correct part of the skew edge (see how she's pointing at the cutting edge?).

   No, she didn't wear a shield during the class, but we were working with very small, well-selected and -mounted stock and she covered the use of a shield.

1. 
   BruceS | Jan 29, 2010 08:54pm | #9

   Yes to the picture. Sure looks turning in progress, but I guess a single photo doesn't tell the whole story. Anyway, I always wear glasses and face shield (except) when sanding. Even a tooth pick can poke out an eye.

4. 
   johnhenry | Jan 29, 2010 04:57pm | #5

   PS I got this one because Lee Valley uses these ones for their classes in turning