Grizzly G9972Z for chambering barrels

[Danny1788]

http://www.grizzly.com/products/11-x-26-Bench-Lathe-w-Gearbox/G9972Z

I am thinking about buying this lathe to start chambering my own barrels or setting chambers back on factory barrels. I understand the spindle is only 1" but im not looking at chambering heavy barrels in it only sporter weight barrels. I would make an outboard spider and barrel through the headstock with a four jaw chuck. This seems like a perfect garage lathe for a personal hobbiest to chamber barrels any input?

Anyone with experience with this lathe or a lathe around this size can you please give some feed back?

 

[eww1350]

No, in my opinion ..this is not what you need...lowest speed is 150 rpm..can you thread at that speed??..must do gear changes to get different thread pitches (no quick change gear box)...


Eddie in Texas

 

[Erik Cortina]

I agree with Eddie. Plus, lathe is also too light, and due to the small spindle bore, you will have to stick barrels pretty far out of the chuck. Chatter will be a big issue, especially since you can not go slower than 150 RPM.

The other option would be to chamber between centers, but lathe is too short for that as well. Save up some more money and get a bigger lathe. 12x36 would be the minimum I would recommend you buy. Quick change gear box is a must.

 

[Preacher]

Plus 1 for what they said...

 

[Danny1788]

I currently have a grizzly cheap 3-n-1 machine right now and the lowest speed is the same 150rpm. I taught myself to thread at that speed, it just took practice, but im no expert at all. That was my first lathe. Its pretty much the same lathe i have now but a little newer and more compact.

I can get a DC 3ph motor to slow down the lathe and not loose any power. Have the motor just need the small VFD control box.

The quick change gear box isnt a must for me, actually i could care less. If you look at the threading and turning chart the gears to cut 16 TPI and will do a decent job with turning and powerfeed.

I know its not an great lathe but im still learning and its in my price range right now.

 

[Erik Cortina]

I currently have a grizzly cheap 3-n-1 machine right now and the lowest speed is the same 150rpm. I taught myself to thread at that speed, it just took practice, but im no expert at all. That was my first lathe. Its pretty much the same lathe i have now but a little newer and more compact.

I can get a DC 3ph motor to slow down the lathe and not loose any power. Have the motor just need the small VFD control box.

The quick change gear box isnt a must for me, actually i could care less. If you look at the threading and turning chart the gears to cut 16 TPI and will do a decent job with turning and powerfeed.

I know its not an great lathe but im still learning and its in my price range right now.

Save longer. By the time you get a 3 phase motor and VFD you will have enough money to find a descent used lathe that will do what you need.

 

[shortgrass]

I currently have a grizzly cheap 3-n-1 machine right now and the lowest speed is the same 150rpm. I taught myself to thread at that speed, it just took practice, but im no expert at all. That was my first lathe. Its pretty much the same lathe i have now but a little newer and more compact.

I can get a DC 3ph motor to slow down the lathe and not loose any power. Have the motor just need the small VFD control box.

[bThe quick change gear box isnt a must for me, actually i could care less. If you look at the threading and turning chart the gears to cut 16 TPI and will do a decent job with turning and powerfeed.[/b]

I know its not an great lathe but im still learning and its in my price range right now.

Does the threading dial work with the power feed?

 

[Danny1788]

Does the threading dial work with the power feed? ???

On my 3-in-1 when i enguage the power feed lever the threading dial spins yes, there is no other lever the half nut is either engauged or its not but the lead screw still spins. to switch to the Cross slide you leave the half nuts disenguaged and pull the cross slide lever to enguage the cross slide power feed. I dont know if that makes sense but thats how it works on my current lathe.

 

[Ggmac]

It seems as you already have your mind made up . Listen to the advise given .
You will NOT be gaining anthing with this small lathe . Save for a better one . 12x36 is a great lathe and not very expensive.
Gary

 

[shortgrass]

Does the threading dial work with the power feed? ???

On my 3-in-1 when i enguage the power feed lever the threading dial spins yes, there is no other lever the half nut is either engauged or its not but the lead screw still spins. to switch to the Cross slide you leave the half nuts disenguaged and pull the cross slide lever to enguage the cross slide power feed. I dont know if that makes sense but thats how it works on my current lathe.

Doesn't make sense, but I've never been around a lathe that small. Sound like you're telling me "there's no feed rod, just a lead screw". I'd do as Ggmac says. You've been given good advise.

 

[jkohler]

Get the heaviest lathe you can! I have the big grizzly g0509g and wish it had more weight in the carriage my self.

 

[Danny1788]

Im a little worried about the weight as i dont have anyway of moving it other than a engine hoist. But im listening to everyones advice and thank you for it. I am looking local for a used lathe now and actually found a 12x36 with a gear box exaclty like the grizzly 12x36 for $2500 so im going ot go have a look at it this week.

 

[muley]

I vote for a 13X40 min. this will allow you thread etc.. without chatter. Weight in a lathe does matter in min. vibration and holding the work solid enough for you to hit tolerances that is the main point of doing the work yourself. The VFD setup will allow you to use three phase at the house it is the best way IMO.

 

[jkohler]

Moving one is easy. All you need is some 1/2 or 3/4 pipe to roll one on or three homemade moving skates. I've put my 3000 pound lathe and 2700 pound mill in my basement. All done with some timbers pipe and chain falls.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Moving one is easy. All you need is some 1/2 or 3/4 pipe to roll one on or three homemade moving skates. I've put my 3000 pound lathe and 2700 pound mill in my basement. All done with some timbers pipe and chain falls.

I put a 2,600 lb. lathe in a garage that only has a 2'6x6'8 door on it. I bolted casters on the bottom of the lathe and rolled it in sideways. Once inside, a floor jack was used to remove casters. I removed chuck, tool post, compound, and tailstock before rolling it in.

 

[skinnj1]

Most lathes are not that hard to move given a little "uncommon sense". Be careful of the relatively high center of gravity (relative to the height of the object). Pipe rollers work like mentioned, so do pallet jacks and automotive jacks. 4x4 blocks for "cribbing" can make a move easier /safer sometimes. I rented machinery "skates" when I had to move my 13x56 lathe into a corner to get my 16x40 lathe in...I concur a bigger lathe will make you happier longer (I have traded up from 3 other lathes in the last decade and a half as opportunity presented itself). All of that said there is more than one darn good shooting rifle with a little southbound 9" or Atlas, it is the craftsman not the tool...