GI 125 Maxi Lathe VS??

[Mack C.]

Kindly note error in title. It should read GI 25-200M1 MAXI-LATHE VS.

Hello all; I am presently turning pens on a Delta/Rockwell lathe Model 46-305. It has a slight more shavings than this picture shows at the present time.

I purchased it used in Dec. of '07 and reconditioned it in it's entirety. I also have a Delta Midi out in the garage which I was going to install a Beall system or the like on, but have never gotten around to it.

I was thinking of getting rid (read, sell) both of the above lathes and purchasing a GI 25 VS Maxi Lathe.

Do any of you turn on the Maxi Lathe, and if so would you mind commenting with respect to your likes and/or dislikes.

 

[LouisQC]

Mack, ,no opinions myself but I'm shopping so I'll follow this thread. Right now, I've gotten bad critiques on that lathe. Bad design apparently.

 

[GaryMadore]

I have the non-VS Maxi and love it.

It is rock-solid, a perfect size, has lots of snot and gets the job done.

So, I can't tell you about the VS feature, but I can tell you that the rest of the lathe is a great machine.

I've heard tell that Delta is going to make a 12" machine to "fill a void" between the midi lathes and the full-size ones. There is no void: It's filled by the GI Maxi.

Cheers!

Gary (I have a VS-mini, the GI Maxi, and a 36" leg-maker)

 

[broitblat]

Mack,

I haven't personally used this lathe, but I looked into it when I was considering a new lathe a while back (that purchase is unfortunately on hold).

It looks like it has a good set of features, although I wonder if it might be underpowered for some of the things you might want to try with it. When it first came out, they apparently had some electronics problems with the VS but, as I understand it, that's been resolved now.

Jet also makes a lathe with what appears to be similar specs, 1220VS, but it doesn't have an outboard turning capacity.

-Barry

 

[Nick]

Take a look at the Grizzly # G0657 and the G0658. I have the G0657 and love it. I also have a General #25-650M1 and love that as well.

 

[pmpartain]

I have the VS Maxi-Lathe. It did have problems with the electronics. They actually sent the new part quickly and I haven't had any more trouble with that. It is a smooth running lathe and is pretty heavy. I have turned bowls as big as the swing allows on it and found the power to be a little lacking a slow rpm. Recently trying a peppermill. I'm using oak for practice. The wood came from a large crotch in the tree. When drilling with the 1 5/8 forstner bit, you can bog it down, but that's a big bit in pretty tough wood.

 

[Mack C.]

Just a bump to see whether there are anymore users of this lathe that care to comment one way or another.

Over 6900 members, 145 hits and only 5 replies. There has to be more users of this lathe that haven't commented yet! Don't be shy, your opinion is very valued!