Help with General products

[GBsCards]

Hi. I was going through my local used classifieds and came across an ad that reads as follows:

Wood lathe, General Machinery, 5spd, 3/4 hp, $350.00

My question is about General. Are General, General International and General Machinery one in the same? I haven't been in the woodworking scene more than a year or so, but I was under the impression that General made a great tool. The price threw me a bit, so I thought there may be some kind of explaination regarding the General company. Maybe the thing is just thrashed.

Yes, I know a call will clear everything up, and I plan on it, but I at least wanted to sound 1/2 way intelligent when discussing his lathe. Thanks for any input.

[Michael Baglio]

General manufactures tools in it's Canadian facility. The tools manufactured in their plants in the far east are marketed under the name General International. See

you have a model number, you might find a reference price point for your lathe at They vend a lot of General porducts.

Hth, Michael

[Eric Johnson]

They all come from the same place but there are differences.

likey manufactured in Taiwan or China. My planer research a few months back suggested the 15" planers I was comparing between the 3 companies came off the same assembly line.

[LRod]

The "price throwing you" is the first hint. TANSTAAFL. Isn't General Machinery one of the faux brands Harbor Freight uses to disguise their junk? Like Central Pneumatic, almost not to be confused with Chicago Pneumatic (which is some pretty good pneumatic stuff)?

I'm not sure; I try not to invest too much time around Harbor Freight stuff. It may not be related at all.

But as far as I know, General (first class North American built stuff) and General International (Chiwanese stuff marketed by them) are the only related companies.

- - LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

[A Dubya]

General is made in Quebec, Canada. Look on their website and you'll notice a Canadian flag on equip manufactured in Canada, you'll also notice, a healthy price difference between General and General International. Everything out of their Canadian plant is cast steel, heavy duty and quality.

General International is made everywhere else, to be competitive with the rest of the overseas junk out there.

Sorry, but I'm a die hard General fan. Not much else out there these days compares in price for the quality, accuracy and adjustability. (and it doesn't hurt that it's keeping folks in the US and Can employed)

Cheers,

Andy

[GBsCards]

Thanks for the replies guys. I placed the call and low and behold: The mag misprinted his ad. Was supposed to say Central Machinery.

It all makes sense now.............