Grizzly lathe options

[Rich S]

Im considering buying a Grizzly G0776 (1340 with DRO) or G0709 (1440 without DRO). The cost is about the same for these options. Anyone using these and have opinions of the pros/cons of these lathes. Other than size is the 709 a higher quality machine? The bed width is listed the same for both so I assume tool stability would be about the same. DRO is definitely an attractive feature on the 776.

Have those that are using the Grizzys been satisfied with the supplied chucks.

Also anyone have experience with single phase vs 3 phase machines? Is there a noticeable difference? I assume the 3 phase would have less chatter but didn't know if it is really detectable in surface finish.

Any other thoughts on other new lathes in the price range (~5K) of these Grizzlys? Ive been looking at used but haven't came up with the right configuration (decent shape, short head stock & well equipped) and am loosing patients looking thus considering the new route. Ive seen a number of imports at decent prices but don't feel I know enough about the various brands to know the quality of the machine.

 

[scope eye]

I would get the larger G0709, you can always add the DRO later if you feel you need it.

Dean

 

[jkohler]

The chucks that come with the lathes will get you started. Best thing you can do is buy a good chuck. Money well spent.

Single vs three phase. Three phase motors run smoother for sure. In a single phase motor you will pick up the harmonics of the AC cycle. Where as the three phase the phases are 120 out from one another. Basically you don't pick up the on off cycle of the phase if that makes sense.

 

[riflewoman]

Three phase machines have more power for a given electrical load. But you also have to consider if you require a phase converter. These generally won't give you a true three phase power with all of the inherent advantages. They will work your machine fine and your machine won't care but It isn't true three phase.

Also three phase power has the phases at 120 degree intervals. This gives the motor a continuous torque that is 70% of the peak to peak torque. And that will give smoother operation. The cutting may be smoother but that is much more dependent on spindle stability and workpiece setup.

 

[jkohler]

Riflewoman are you getting static converters and rotary converter's mixed up. static converters will start a three phase load then run it at 2/3 of load on single phase where as a rotary will create the third leg. I know my American rotary puts out realy nice balanced voltage..

 

[Dusty Stevens]

id get 3 phase and a vfd

 

[Ggmac]

No one has asked , What do you want to do with it ? Commercial or hobby ? Have you had experience on a lathe ? Do you have a stable concrete air cond , heated , space for it ? Electric available ? Do you have any tooling ?
I'm not quite 100 % as a small spell yesterday , so typing is challenging .

 

[riflewoman]

Riflewoman are you getting static converters and rotary converter's mixed up. static converters will start are three phase load then run it at 2/3 of load on single phase where as a rotary will create the third leg. I know my American rotary puts out realy nice balanced voltage..

No I wasn't. Rotaries are fine but the voltages/currents of the third leg aren't always perfect unless they are good with capacitor balancing. You can balance it great at full power but it isn't possible to balance everything at all power draws. Most machines don't care and with microprocessors it may be better.

But my experience with them is a couple of decades old.

 

[Rich S]

Thanks for all the replys so far. Regarding my intent: mostly a hobby but may make it a side business. I'm about 10 years from retirement and am setting up a home shop for use now and in retirement. I don't expect to do production work but would like to have decent equipment. In addition to the lathe I am getting a Bridgeport mill. I plan to chamber barrels and true up actions but will also do some general non-firearm related work. Trying to stay under 10k for the initial investment including tooling. I was figuring 2-3 for a mil, 5 for lathe and 2 for tooling.

 

[jkohler]

I'd just look at the heaviest machine you can get new or used. Nothing is better than mass in the right places. You will chew threw 2grand for tooling in a flash. But you will have a ball playing and Learning. It would scare the hell out of me if I added up how much I've spent in tooling

 

[Ggmac]

Again , you'll make more money and have less liability , especially if you have a 401k ,BE A PLUMBER !

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

I have had the 0554Z, currently an G0509G. I have had both single a 3 phase, I prefer the 3 and I use a converter. Not going to dissect your machine, just what I have found through the years using them. Steve, the owner is a super nice guy. If you ask for some consideration as you will be building guns, .....he MAY offer some. Machine wise, they are a hell of a lot better than they used to be. They buy better stuff now that they have some clout. Go for Taiwan made from their offerings. Tool post....theirs suck. Even the Aloris style ones do. Plan on replacing them. Another point is lubrication. Their machines come shipped with some gawd awful type of stuff that cannot be called oil. Before you even run it, drain that schmuck out FIRST!!!!!!!!!!! The Taiwan machines have better bearings but you MUST check bearing pre load before cranking it up. Some are good, some are loose, some tight, just check it. The manual tells you how and it is simple. For tooling, Grizzly has some good deals on their brand. They also offer some Phase one stuff that isn't bad. When you unpack your machine, do as above, adjust the play in the ways (all of them) and your lathe will do well. Back to electricity, that's your call. One final caveat. Go for a larger than you think spindle bore and choose one with the widest distance across the ways if you can.

 

[Steelnecktie]

Get 3 phase, buy a rotary converter. You'll need one for your Bridgeport anyway. I have a Phase-a-matic, 5hp , been running it now for 5 years, zero problems. It's true 3 phase, 2 legs at 248 volts and 3rd leg is running at 278 volts. Good luck

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Only issue with a rotary converter is you gotta run a 5hp motor all the time. Its gotta be bigger than your biggest load. Running a 5hp rotary for 4hrs chambering a barrel and your 2hp lathe is running about 10mins of that time. For a lathe bumping it on and off all the time ill take the losses on a $100 static converter or a vfd that adds speed control in addition to phase converting. Im a kinda simple guy with a 7.5 and a 10hp rotary sittin over in the corner gathering dust.

 

[Steelnecktie]

My Lathe is true variable speed through pulleys moving in and out kind of like a centrifugal clutch. If your lathe don't have variable speed, Dustys way is probably the way to go to get variable speed through a VFD cutting power.

 

[Rich S]

Do you guys feel variable speed is that helpful. I've only used geared lathes. I have limited experience but no issues with the work. The Mills I've used (Acer) were variable speed. I will likely get a Bridgeport with variable speed vs moving belts. I assume your referring to if I go 3 phase pony up for the vfd and get the added benifit of speed control? Make sense to me. The guy I plan to buy the mill from will add that option. I don't know the exact price but don't believe it's that much.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I dont find it as important on a mill as on a lathe. Just a simple static converter on a mill will last your lifetime and its $100. Of course my mill is variable if i had a cone pulley id have a vfd

 

[dkhunt14]

I dont find it as important on a mill as on a lathe. Just a simple static converter on a mill will last your lifetime and its $100. Of course my mill is variable if i had a cone pulley id have a vfd

My reversing switch went out on my mill. I couldn't get one because it was a 2 speed reversing switch. I went over to the guy that builds motors. He said if you put on the VSD you can stay on the low leg and small pulley and that will give you more power and still have more RPMS. It makes my Mill a lot nicer and no convertor. Matt

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Yea mine is just a reversing switch and a crank for the speed. I can be from low to the highest speed in just about as much time as it takes to turn a knob

 

[HattyDamp]

Hi...i am a new user here. As per my knowledge Three phase motors run smoother for sure. In a single phase motor you will pick up the harmonics of the AC cycle. Where as the three phase the phases are 120 out from one another. Basically you don't pick up the on off cycle of the phase if that makes sense.