grizzly lathe help

[Westhunder]

I am going to look at a lathe tomorrow, will get to see it run, and I want some help on putting the correct value on it. I am going to be attaching pictures so that you all can see what I can see. The things that I know about it are as follows. I am looking for a lathe that I can do my own barrels on and I am told that is all that this lathe was used for. No heavy lifting in other words, so it shouldn't be worn out. This is an older model Grizzly, 4016. It has lots of tooling and quick change heads, 3 and 4 jaw chucks, spider, and steady rest. I would typically want to buy new. However I have to be economical about this because I am getting to this venture by matter of convince. I have a fellow member that is going to show me the ropes and teach me the in's and outs of what I need to be able to do, but I want a nice machine that I can do my re barreling and chambering jobs with in the future. I have read through the previous post on this subject and I know that like guns, calibers, etc. everyone has their opinion. The lathe ideally would be small but powerful and handle barrels through spindle. This is a road I am going to be going down and know that there is also considerable expenses in tooling. So with that said if I can get this machine for a good price that would help. Current asking price is $3,200 with all tooling shown. I think that the new model for this lathe is 10k?? this may be way more machine than I need too??? Thanks in advance an I plan on listening to advice on those that use everyday already or already been down this road. Finally I'm in upstate South Carolina if yall know of a lathe for sale or a good place to look.

 

[Westhunder]

I have the exact same setup. I have never had an issue with it before.
Granted it is not a South bend but it does a good job.

PPC

hows the price?

 

[JSH]

Looks like a good price to me. My Sheldon was a fair bit older but came with about half that much tooling. Excluding the old lantern style stuff.

 

[Grimstod]

The tooling alone is what makes that a good bargain. Be sure to check each gear though. Make sure it runs without vibrations. Sometimes one or two gears vibrate badly on the chines grizzlys.

 

[liljoe]

That's a pretty good deal. The comparable one on grizzlys site is $3650 plus shipping, so about $4k to your door.
This has a qctp and several tool holders. They would be about $400 to get.
It is a good place to start.
Joe

 

[nakneker]

I’ll post this, it was an answer to a question much like yours. The following was not written by me, just copied and posted.

Gunsmithing Lathes

The primary things to look for in a gunsmithing/rifle-building lathe is a good quality machine with a fairly narrow headstockfor working on shorter barrels without having to resort to a jig to support the barrel, and a large enough spindle bore through the headstock to be able to position barrels enough to dial their bores in true. Example – if the largest barrel you will work on is 1.250” diameter, you’ll need a spindle bore at least 1 3/8” or larger. I often work on 1.450” or 1.500” diameter barrels so need at least a 1 9/16” spindle bore (my lathe is 1 5/8” which is perfect).



Here are a few good lathes for gunsmithing that are same or similar to mine:

Birmingham LUX-1440G (my lathe) – solid cast base, 1 9/16” spindle bore, 2800#, $9000+/-

Victor 1440G – looks same as Birm. above, solid cast base, 1 9/16” spindle, 2800#, $11,000

Victor 1440GVS – same as 1440G but with electronic variable speed, $13,000

Enco 13x40 Turn-Pro (#328-6166) – 1 9/16” spindle, $10000


Other good gunsmithing lathes:

Grizzly – all of their gunsmith’s lathes are made in China, but do good work. $3350-8150+

Precision Matthews PM1340GT – made in Taiwan, and does good work. $4700+

Precision Matthews PM1440GS – unsure where made, but probably China - $5000

Precision Matthews PM1440GT – made in Taiwan – ultra-high precision $8000

South Bend Heavy 10 – either used or new, they make really great gunsmiths lathes

Sharp, Kent and others makes higher-end lathes that can be easily converted for gunsmith work

 

[Westhunder]

Looks like all the south bends on eBay are up north. You guys are lucky! I’m going to feel this guy out tomorrow. Going in at 2500 to see if I can get him to maybe 2800. It’s sitting there collecting dust and rust. It needs to be in my shop making chips!

 

[B Nettesheim]

I would pop that headstock cover off and inspect every tooth. No missing or chipped teeth ...it gets real expensive in there! I would also bring a tenth indicator and check the ruount on a ground part of the spindle nose under the chuck. Run it first to get oil in the spindle bearings before checking the run out. If there is runout make sure there is a way to adjust the bearing pre load.
Check oil levels in the apron and headstock that will give you and idea of how they treated it.
Make some chips too and listen for bad noises.
The price seems good for how much tooling it comes with it.

 

[riverwolf1]

The only thing I can speak to is the stock chucks that come with grizzly lathes. I have the 4003 and the 3 jaw & 4 jaw chinese chucks are junk, I purchased a Bison 4 Jaw chuck and have not looked back. Also I had the steady rest modified, so it has roller bearings. if you chamber with a steady rest you will eventually do this. Had some different bearings installed and overall it does the job of chambering quite nicely.

 

[hogpatrol]

Is that RUST on the ways and cross slide? Hmm. If it is, I'd look elsewhere. Good deals are usually for a reason.
My advice: Don't fall in love over price. There's usually another one just around the corner.
+1 on what 308sawyer posted.

 

[Westhunder]

Is that RUST on the ways and cross slide? Hmm. If it is, I'd look elsewhere. Good deals are usually for a reason.
My advice: Don't fall in love over price. There's usually another one just around the corner.

It has been in an unconditioned space for a brief period and developed light surface rust. I should know more tomorrow, but price did come up, I wanted to know that I was in the ball park. It may be total junk, but it may be a real steal too.... just wanted some advice from third parties. Especially ones that have been in same boat as I

 

[Westhunder]

Just curious. What would be best “new” lathe that could be shipped from manufacturer?

 

[Bamban]

Just curious. What would be best “new” lathe that could be shipped from manufacturer?

Eisen 1440 EV. I just can't afford it.

https://eisenm.com/products/eisen-1440ev-precision-lathe-5hp-dro-installed-heavy-cast-iron-base

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You can take care of that rust with some kerosene and scotch brite. If you want it pay the man. If you got all new stuff recommended on here youd be out 10-12k min

 

[TRA]

You can take care of that rust with some kerosene and scotch brite. If you want it pay the man. If you got all new stuff recommended on here youd be out 10-12k min

I'd really doubt he'd be getting the same class equipment at those prices. Apples to oranges. I've found the old saying, "buy once, cry once" is the best way.

A little scrubbing goes a long way on equipment. Unless it's trashed as noted in the posts above, it will clean up. If those tool holders and tool post are Aloris brand or even Dorian, there's a good wad of money laying there. Depending on whose centers those are, they are not cheap either. If they are Chinese,PRC, not so much.

 

[JSH]

Looks like all the south bends on eBay are up north. You guys are lucky! I’m going to feel this guy out tomorrow. Going in at 2500 to see if I can get him to maybe 2800. It’s sitting there collecting dust and rust. It needs to be in my shop making chips!

Don't know what part of the country you are in. I am within driving distance of Kansas City. There are just not that many used lathes in reasonable shop size that are even decent shape in this area. Most I had looked at in gunsmith size were either abused badly or just plain worn out.
As to the rust issue, there is rust and then there is RUST. I suspect it is mild flashing. If you are I. The dark as to what to look for try and find someone that knows what they are looking at to go with you.
Don't be afraid to point out any issues, no matter how small. That will give you some bargaining power.
You can check all of the above mentioned. Your buying used though.
From what little I know any wear on the ways will be 0-18" from the face of the chuck. Most all machines will have some no matter what.

If your luck runs as mine, you have been looking for a while. You have seen few worth the money of this size. Buy this one and they will fall out of the sky.
I looked for over a year with no luck. Bought mine and the next few months the popped up all over the place.
Jeff

 

[Westhunder]

My luck usually runs that way too. There are a few lathes within 100 miles. They all seem to have smaller spindle diameter. I’m usually quick to scratch an itch but I’m not going to pull the trigger today unless there is some mind blowing phenomenon that happens while I’m there. The only reason to hurry in this case is because of the environment this lathe is in. I’m going to TRY to be patient and find a perfect fit.

 

[Westhunder]

This is next closest thing that would fit needs.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/2012-Vectrax...724944&hash=item4d6c595a82:g:iZcAAOSwA~VaOss7

 

[Westhunder]

well it does run and there is lots of money in tooling, the chucks are original however. Ran pretty good, teeth on the gears looked good. No abnormal noises, there was a little play in the travel dials and it needs a good cleaning. I told him I would think about it. Its not going anywhere in a hurry and I can look around a little more.

 

[Westhunder]

I’m leaning towards the Precision Matthews 1340GT actually. That’s what my gut is telling me. It’s. New very well made and reasonable.