VizslaDad Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 A gentleman in the next town over from me (Orange, OH near Cleveland) is clearing out his deceased father's basement shop and trying to sell off whatever he can. However, he's found no buyers for his dad's old General 260 lathe (see attached images) and is happy to give it away to anyone who can get it out of the basement. Obviously a free full sized lathe that is supposedly in good working order (he'd already started disassembling it so I did not get to see it run) is tempting, but I have a question. The variable speed spindle pulley is partially broken (replacement part #7 in this doc: http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/363/920.pdf). I didn't get a picture of it because my friends and I only made a quick pit stop to check out the whole lot for sale, but it would appear like the pulley is still fully capable of retaining the belt. My concern is that it's clearly no longer anything close to balanced, and since General shuttered a while back the likelihood of finding replacement parts (aside from parting out another 260) I wonder how problematic that could be. I know I am not providing a lot of info here, but based on what I've shared, does this seem like a "definitely snatch it up!" or "pass!" situation to you folks? I don't turn a bunch (I just have one of those little Rockler mini lathes which is fine for pulls and such) but this seems like an opportunity to evaluate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyJack Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 I think you should be on your way picking it up... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 I agree. Put a 3phase motor and VFD on it and go to town. That's a great lathe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 You don't have it in your shop yet?? Go! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 I had a 260 many years ago. It's a beast of a lathe. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 One word. Free. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Beasley Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 I can see the broken part is off the indexing part of the pulley, you will probably never miss it. If an indexing system is needed you can mount an external index on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 So what I'm hearing you say is that the part you identified is fractured. So that has to be replaced no matter how you pwer the lathe, otherwise the whole lathe is going to be unbalanced. If you could put a VFD on the lathe that would give you a much speed range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaDad Posted October 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 I think I am swayed. I am a little concerned I won't be able to easily source a replacement for that indexing piece of the pulley, but...free! Now to convince my reluctant friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 Might even be worth the cost of having a machinist make a new part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 1 hour ago, VizslaDad said: I think I am swayed. I am a little concerned I won't be able to easily source a replacement for that indexing piece of the pulley, but...free! Now to convince my reluctant friends. Free beer solves the friends problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 3 hours ago, drzaius said: Might even be worth the cost of having a machinist make a new part. Yes!!! Free machines make expensive fixes relevant. Just be sure there are not a ton of expensive fixes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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