Use and Care Manual

ManualsBrandsGeneral International ManualsLathes14 in. x 17 in. Variable Speed Maxi-Lathe VF

THANK YOU

for choosing this General

International model 25-114QC Variable

Speed “Maxi-Lathe VF”. This wood lathe has been carefully tested and inspected before ship-

ment and if properly used and maintained, will provide you with years of reliable service. To

ensure optimum performance and trouble-free operation, and to get the most from your

investment, please take the time to read this manual before assembling, installing and oper-

ating the unit.

The manual’s purpose is to familiarize you with the safe operation, basic function, and features

of this wood lathe as well as the set-up, maintenance and identification of its parts and com-

ponents. This manual is not intended as a substitute for formal woodworking instruction, nor to

offer the user instruction in the craft of woodworking. If you are not sure about the safety of

performing a certain operation or procedure, do not proceed until you can confirm, from

knowledgeable and qualified sources, that it is safe to do so.

Once you’ve read through these instructions, keep this manual handy for future reference.

Disclaimer:

The information and specifications in this

manual pertain to the unit as it was supplied from the

factory at the time of printing. Because we are commit-

ted to making constant improvements, General

International reserves the right to make changes to

components, parts or features of this unit as deemed

necessary, without prior notice and without obligation to

install any such changes on previously delivered units.

Reasonable care is taken at the factory to ensure that

the specifications and information in this manual corres-

ponds with that of the unit with which it was supplied.

However, special orders and “after factory” modifica-

tions may render some or all information in this manual

inapplicable to your machine. Further, as several gene-

rations of this model of wood lathe and several versions

of this manual may be in circulation, if you own an ear-

lier or later version of this unit, this manual may not

depict your machine exactly. If you have any doubts or

questions contact your retailer or our support line with

the model and serial number of your unit for clarifica-

tion.

GENERAL® INTERNATIONAL

8360 Champ-d’Eau, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H1P 1Y3

Telephone (514) 326-1161 • Fax (514) 326-5555 • www.general.ca

Summary of content (16 pages)

PAGE 1
GENERAL® INTERNATIONAL 8360 Champ-d’Eau, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H1P 1Y3 Telephone (514) 326-1161 • Fax (514) 326-5555 • www.general.ca THANK YOU for choosing this General International model 25-114QC Variable ® Speed “Maxi-Lathe VF”. This wood lathe has been carefully tested and inspected before shipment and if properly used and maintained, will provide you with years of reliable service.
PAGE 2
GENERAL® & GENERAL® INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY All component parts of General®, General® International and Excalibur by General International ® products are carefully inspected during all stages of production and each unit is thoroughly inspected upon completion of assembly.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Rules for safe operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Electrical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Grounding instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Circuit capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Extension cord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Identification of main parts and components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Basic functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION To help ensure safe operation, please take a moment to learn the machine’s applications and limitations, as well as potential hazards. General® International disclaims any real or implied warranty and holds itself harmless for any injury that may result from improper use of its equipment. 1. Do not operate the wood turning lathe when tired, distracted, or under the effects of drugs, alcohol or any medication that impairs reflexes or alertness. 2.
PAGE 5
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS BEFORE CONNECTING THE MACHINE TO THE POWER SOURCE, VERIFY THAT THE VOLTAGE OF YOUR POWER SUPPLY CORRESPONDS WITH THE VOLTAGE SPECIFIED ON THE MOTOR I.D. NAMEPLATE. A POWER SOURCE WITH GREATER VOLTAGE THAN NEEDED CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE USER AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE MACHINE. IF IN DOUBT, CONTACT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN BEFORE CONNECTING TO THE POWER SOURCE. THIS TOOL IS FOR INDOOR USE ONLY. DO NOT EXPOSE TO RAIN OR USE IN WET OR DAMP LOCATIONS.
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VARIABLE SPEED “MAXI-LATHE VF” 25-114QC IDENTIFICATION OF MAIN PARTS AND COMPONENTS A B T S Q C L G H N M R O U D I J K P F E V W X Z Y ABCDEFGHIJKLM- HEADSTOCK FACE PLATE SPUR CENTER MOTOR PIVOT HANDLE MOTOR PIVOT LOCKING LEVER MOTOR FLYWHEEL LEFT CARRYING HANDLE ON/OFF SWITCH SPINDLE SPEED CONTROLLER THERMAL RELAY RE-SET (under the switch) TOOL REST TOOL REST CARRIAGE NOPQRSTUVWXYZ- TOOL REST LOCKING LEVER TOOL REST CARRIAGE LEVER LATHE BED LIVE CENTER TAILSTOCK LOCKING LEVER TAILSTOCK
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BASIC FUNCTIONS This General International model 25-114QC M1 Maxi-Lathe VF is designed specifically for small to medium hobby type wood turning projects. With a maximum swing over bed of 14”, a distance between centers of 17”, and 3 electronically controlled variable speed ranges (250-800, 550-1700 and 1200-3600), the 25-114QC is ideal for small turnings such as pens, as well as bowls and small to medium spindles.
PAGE 8
CLEAN UP The unpainted cast-iron surface of the lathe bed is covered with a protective coating that helps prevent rust from forming during shipping and storage. Remove this protective coating by rubbing with a rag dipped in kerosene, mineral spirits or paint thinner. (Handle and dispose of potentially flammable solvent soaked rags according to manufacturers’ safety recommendations.
PAGE 9
ATTACH THE CORD STORAGE HOOKS CONNECT THE CONTROL BOX TO THE MOTOR A C B Attach the two cord storage hooks A to the rear of the lathe using the Phillips head screws already mounted on the lathe, as shown B. Note: Two plastic clips are mounted on the rear of the lathe for convenient knock out bar storage C. MAKE SURE THAT THE LATHE IS NOT CONNECTED TO A POWER SOURCE.
PAGE 10
BASIC ADJUSTMENTS & CONTROLS CONNECTING TO A POWER SOURCE TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SHOCK OR FIRE DO NOT OPERATE THE UNIT WITH A DAMAGED POWER CORD OR PLUG. REPLACE DAMAGED CORD OR PLUG IMMEDIATELY. SWITCH OFF TO AVOID UNEXPECTED OR UNINTENTIONAL START-UP, MAKE SURE THAT THE POWER SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION BEFORE CONNECTING TO A POWER SOURCE. Once the assembly steps have been completed and the unit is safely secured to a work surface, plug the power cord into an appropriate outlet.
PAGE 11
SPINDLE SPEED CONTROL 3 SPEED RANGES The spindle speed ranges from 250 to 800, 550 to 1700 and from 1200 to 3600 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM), depending on the positionning of the drive belt on the pulleys. High: 1200-3600 RPM Medium: 550-1700 RPM Low: 250 to 800 RPM Note: Refer to the Speed Recommendations chart below for speed selection. Changing between the 3 speed ranges requires moving the drive belt from one set of drive pulleys to another (H, M or L). The speed range will vary.
PAGE 12
TOOL REST CARRIAGE & TOOL REST ADJUSTMENTS B A The tool rest carriage can be moved along the bed slide ways as needed. Loosen the tool rest carriage lever A and move the carriage to the desired location. Re-tighten the lever securely after adjustment. The tool rest should be adjusted so that its top is 1/8" above the center of the workpiece. Loosen the tool rest locking lever B and adjust the height and position of the tool rest as needed. Re-tighten the lever securely after adjustment.
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MOUNTING & REMOVING THE TAILSTOCK LIVE CENTER TAILSTOCK REAR VIEW H J I K The tailstock has an MT#2 taper hole into which the live center fits. 1. Make sure the shank of the live center and the tailstock hole are clean and free of debris and fit the live center firmly in the spindle hole by hand H.
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MOUNTING A WORKPIECE TO THE FACE PLATE For turning applications where the workpiece cannot be secured between the headstock and tailstock centers (such as bowl turning) the face plate must be used to secure the workpiece to the headstock spindle. 1.
PAGE 15
SPINDLE SPEED DIGITAL READOUT - ERROR MESSAGES & REMEDIES ERROR MESSAGE E1 When the onboard heat sensor detects a running temperature above 185°F (85°C) the motor will shut off automatically and the display will show “E1”. REMEDY Allow the machine some time to cool off. An E1 error message will clear automatically when the sensor temperature drops back down below 176°F (80° C).
PAGE 16
ERROR MESSAGE E7 If (A) the white wire of the control box is not properly connected with the white wire of the motor (page 10 “Connect the control box to the motor”), or if (B) the motor sensor is disconnected or somehow damaged, the machine will either not run, or run for only a few seconds and then shut off and the display will show “E7”.