Gunsmith Lathe with DRO

[urbanrifleman]

I was thinking about upgrading my main chambering lathe this year. I have a 14-in grizzly with dro gunsmithing late now (the biggest one they make). It is quite good, but I'm interested in upgrading to something that is even more precise and easier to use. Something that's more beefy and stiffer.

Honestly, I started my company and I have no idea what lathes I should actually have. I am no expert on these lathes by any stretch of the imagination. I probably do a lot more barrels than a lot of people and I need something that's a little bit more of a production level machine. Especially when it comes to the capability of the DRO in relation to the tool tolerance.

Only going to be doing chambering and threading with this lathe. I have my big Logan for contouring.

 

[Ksracer]

As far as new lathes are concerned, the Kingston brand seems to be regarded as a quality, industrial duty machine.
I have an HJ-1700 that came out of an onsite repair shop and I really like it.
They've made the same model for 30+ yrs now and stock almost any part you need in California.

 

[Doug Beach]

I’m not sure what set up you typically use, but keep a close eye on headstock width, if you aren’t chambering between centers. I think this is going to be your limiting factor. I’ve got 5 years on a PM1440GT. The precision is definitely there, I wouldn’t complain about a few hundred more pounds, but I wouldn’t want so much as an inch more headstock width. Keep us posted on your findings.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I’m not sure what set up you typically use, but keep a close eye on headstock width, if you aren’t chambering between centers. I think this is going to be your limiting factor. I’ve got 5 years on a PM1440GT. The precision is definitely there, I wouldn’t complain about a few hundred more pounds, but I wouldn’t want so much as an inch more headstock width. Keep us posted on your findings.

PM-1440-2SM 14″x40″ Gunsmith Lathe – Precision Matthews Machinery Co.

www.precisionmatthews.com

I was looking at this one.

 

[Doug Beach]

That weighs a bit less than 200lbs more than the 1440gt. Extra weight is probably good. Dimensionally it looks pretty similar. It appears to be one of their Chinese lathes, unless I missed something. In general, people find the Taiwanese lathes to be better quality, less of a project, but your mileage may vary.

 

[ridgeway]

Haas TL-1

 

[tobnpr]

Hybrid "smart" lathes are pretty badass... this particular line not well suited to barrel work due to headstock length, but perhaps there's something else out there on the smaller side.
For a job shop though, suitable for the one-offs like a typical engine lathe and programmable for simple production work turning and threading.

 

[LVLAaron]

PM-TL1640... but you're kinda in Haas TL-1 territory at that point...

 

[Paul Hilgedick]

I bought a Pm1440GT in 2019. The motor shorted out. I called Precision Matthews customer on Monday morning. The following Monday I had a new name brand motor on my doorstep at no charge. Hard to beat that for customer service.

 

[B Nettesheim]

Clausing would be at the top of the list for me

 

[urbanrifleman]

This is made in Taiwan

PM-1440GT 14"x40" Ultra Precision Lathe

PM-1440GT Main Features Highest Quality Lathe, Made in TAIWAN Large 2” Spindle Bore clear through spindle for through-headstock work Short Spindle Length, only 15-1/2", perfect for gunsmithing work Power feed on Carriage, and Cross Slide, both left and right, and in and out, for both turning and...

www.precisionmatthews.com

 

[DaveTooley]

An older Haas TL-1 with handwheels. I can work circles around the new ones doing barrel work.
They have electronic handwheels that will work for $1400 but still not as fast as manual handwheels.

 

[urbanrifleman]

An older Haas TL-1 with handwheels. I can work circles around the new ones doing barrel work.
They have electronic handwheels that will work for $1400 but still not as fast as manual handwheels.

Can you show an example of this machine?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

 

[Dusty Stevens]

This is the new version he mentioned. Look for the full enclosure with slide doors as the new model. The older ones just have the fold down chuck guard

 

[LVLAaron]

That thing is only 2000lbs?

 

[DaveTooley]

That thing is only 2000lbs?

It's just a small lathe. 8X30 with a 10 HP motor. Shipping weight is 4200 lbs. which puts it at about 4K lbs.

 

[DaveTooley]

View attachment 1369022
This is the new version he mentioned. Look for the full enclosure with slide doors as the new model. The older ones just have the fold down chuck guard

A full enclosure was an option on the old ones.

 

[DaveTooley]

Here's mine.

 

[DaveTooley]

I had a 10X30 Nardini and it was sweet. They are few and far between but for 99% of barrel work they are great. First lathe I ran that what I dialed in what came off. Made in Brazil with Timken bearings.

Buy TRL-1340/V Manual Precision Lathes - Kent Industrial USA

Heaviest duty 13” lathe in its class 5 HP main spindle motor 16 speeds, geared headstock (TRL-1340) (50 – 2570 RPM) Infinitely variable speed in Hi/Low geared speed ranges (TRL-1340V) (100-500-3000 RPM) Jog button for easy gear changes Hardened and ground gears and bedways Cast iron...

www.kentusa.com