- Home
- Forums
- Q&A: Gear, Gun Projects, and Gunsmithing
- Gun Project Questions & Gunsmithing
- Advanced Gunsmithing & Engineering
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Lathe options
- Thread starter tonyb
- Start date
As a side note. I was doing some reading and it appears that the Grizzly G9036 is the same machine as the Precision Mathews 1340. (not the GT), just some cosmetic differences (knobs placed in different locations etc...) also, the PM RML 1640 appears to be the same machine as the Grizzly G0670. If this is the case, how many of the lathes that are being sold today are made in the same plant, but have a different color of paint, different location of knobs, etc... but are sold through different companies.
Last edited:
Well lets see, Precision Matthews and Grizzly like you mentioned but also Kent, Birmingham, Enco, Jet, Harbor Freight, Shop Fox or whatever it is along with Cummins on the smaller units just to name some off the top of my melon. I am sure there are a few more? Each entity has models made in China with better/higher end models in Tiawan or Japan. Different colors, different name plates and controls a bit different location but basically the same machine. Read once where especially China cast the beds and then grades them as to how they finish/machine up. Closer they are to perfect or thereabouts the higher the price! Say Jet and Grizzly buy the better beds and on down the line to where Harbor Freight, Enco, Cummins, Shop Fox are the bottom end which is part of the reason the prices get cheaper from say Jet to Harbor Freight. Don't remember where I read it but was 8-10yrs ago.
As a 'for instance' I bought a "Precision" 12x36 from a gent here who quit doing gun work after buying it new only 2yrs prior from Harbor Freight. This was in May of '99. Except for the color and bit different on/off etc it was the exact same machine as a Jet a friend had purchased 10yrs prior. I pd $1900 with some reamers included and he pd about $3K for his with taper earlier. The 'Precision' was NOT!!!! Friend claimed his Jet did pretty decent work. I sold it after only a yr and replaced it with a 12x36 Atlas/Craftsman that I rebuilt and it did better work than the almost new Harbor Freight item did. Might have been the reason the fella give up on trying to do barrel work etc? He used the money from lathe, bluing tanks etc to buy wood working power tools to do cabinet work.
Sure somebody however will be more than happy here to tell me I haven't a clue, am completely wrong or just call me a blatant liar!!!! That is pretty much a given it seems here anymore!
As a 'for instance' I bought a "Precision" 12x36 from a gent here who quit doing gun work after buying it new only 2yrs prior from Harbor Freight. This was in May of '99. Except for the color and bit different on/off etc it was the exact same machine as a Jet a friend had purchased 10yrs prior. I pd $1900 with some reamers included and he pd about $3K for his with taper earlier. The 'Precision' was NOT!!!! Friend claimed his Jet did pretty decent work. I sold it after only a yr and replaced it with a 12x36 Atlas/Craftsman that I rebuilt and it did better work than the almost new Harbor Freight item did. Might have been the reason the fella give up on trying to do barrel work etc? He used the money from lathe, bluing tanks etc to buy wood working power tools to do cabinet work.
Sure somebody however will be more than happy here to tell me I haven't a clue, am completely wrong or just call me a blatant liar!!!! That is pretty much a given it seems here anymore!
Last edited:
I own a Precision Matthews 1340 GT. I looked at them compared to the grizzly machines for months before I made my final decision. For me it came down to a couple things, warranty and technical support. The Precision Matthews lathe has a 5 year warranty as opposed to the 1 year that comes with the Grizzly machine. Second the technical support offered by Matt at precision matthews is top notch, you won't find that kind of personalized service anywhere else. Feel free to shoot me a pm with your phone number if you would like to discuss the 1340 in more detail.
Southbend Heavy 13 13x30 Gearhead lathe w/Fagor DRO
OR
Precision Mathews 1340GT w/preferred equipment package
OR
Grizzly G0509
Your opinions and why please....
I am currently using the Grizzly G9036 and would like to upgrade.
TIA,
Tony.
I would get the south bend. I see grizzly is having a big sale on some of them and it looks like a pretty good price on the heavy 13. Yeah I would definitely get the SB over the the others mentioned! If you can afford it I'd go for the 40 inch instead of 30 inch. You always end up needing the extra length it seems like.
On edit- I take back some of what I said. I was thinking the SB and grizzly where more comparable in size. I might lean more towards the G509G now. The decision would be little harder for me because I don't know the real difference in quality. I think the g509g would be just fine though. It also has more of what I look for in a Lathe than the heavy 13. More weight, wider bed, longer quill travel( I prefer at least 6" travel) bigger quill(only .032 so...), and a bigger MT in the quill. And it has a one more horse motor. Oh and I forgot to mention a bigger swing and longer distance between centers which you will appreciate eventually.
I'd have to compare the specs to PM...
On the other hand if I was going to spend $7000 I'd be looking for a nice used mori-seiki or whacheon. This comes from Machining for a living and after using 7000+ pound machines with 10 and 15hp motors on a daily basis it's hard to imagine only having a 2000 pound Lathe with 3 or 4hp. And I do just prefer a heavier duty machine.
Standard modern makes a nice Lathe along with the little leblond regals. I've actually been kicking around the idea of getting a little regal.
Then there's the Victor, Cadillac, and Yam all nice, good quality Taiwan machines. There's a couple others I can't think of. These are actually clones of the Japanese lathes
For high quality Japanese Lathes along with the mori-seiki mentioned above you also have okuma and dainichi Lathes. You can find these at decent prices and in pretty good shape.
Check out Greer machinery and give him a call. If he can hook you up with the right LTL, shipping won't be too bad.
for your use, the price, what comes with the machine, and the support I don't think you can go wrong with the grizzly. And new is nice too. I can't forget shipping is going to be easier and cheaper with grizzly or PM.
Anyways jus my .02¢ hope it helps
Last edited:
I checked out the specs on the PM 1340gt. Spec wise the grizzly is definitely more appealing to me. Quality- I don't know, that's something I'd have to compare between the grizz and PM in person.
Going by what you read about quality on line is tough. there a couple people on here who have mentioned having tge grizzly's, but most of the bad opinions i believe are not based off of actual experience. And some of the negative experiences might be isolated and not a true representation of their Lathes.
PM's I'm sure are good lathes, but if I'm going to by a 1200 pound lathe (that goes for grizzly too) for $5000 I'd find a nice 15x40 something leblond regal(clausing or standard modern). They usually have a steady rest and you can find them with a taper attachment too. Good deals on The additional tooling such as tool post and live center can be found.
Going by what you read about quality on line is tough. there a couple people on here who have mentioned having tge grizzly's, but most of the bad opinions i believe are not based off of actual experience. And some of the negative experiences might be isolated and not a true representation of their Lathes.
PM's I'm sure are good lathes, but if I'm going to by a 1200 pound lathe (that goes for grizzly too) for $5000 I'd find a nice 15x40 something leblond regal(clausing or standard modern). They usually have a steady rest and you can find them with a taper attachment too. Good deals on The additional tooling such as tool post and live center can be found.
you are on the right track, the Taiwan machines are much better quality, fit, and finish than the chinese machines. Without a doubt the Chinese machines are much better than they use to be but still not near the quality of the Taiwan machines. The big difference i have found is the quality of the motors and electronics used in the Taiwan machines over the Chinese machines. Again don't look past the warranty, that is a big deal in my opinion. The Grizzly machines are all 1 year, the PM 1340 GT is 5 years. Another thing to consider is that the PM1340 GT has the shortest headstock currently available on the market. Only 14" From Chuck Mounting Surface To End Of Spindle.
Thanks for all of the replys. Please keep the comments and recommendations coming. I believe the G0509 would be a good machine, but I keep telling myself to buy a Taiwan manufactured macine instead of Chinese...
Tony.
The Grizzly machines are all 1 year, the PM 1340 GT is 5 years. Another thing to consider is that the PM1340 GT has the shortest headstock currently available on the market. Only 14" From Chuck Mounting Surface To End Of Spindle.
Good point the shorter headstock might come in handy.
Another thing I just thought of is if you ever decide to use something like the true bore alignment system you might want a heavier machine.
I remember reading on here about someone having chatter issues of some sort with the TBAS on their machine and I believe the lathe was something in the smaller 14" range.
It looks like you're willing to spend about $7000 which opens up a lot of options. Buy once cry once. Trust me I've been down this road. And used wasn't a bad idea.
Last edited:
Another thing to consider on the PM1340GT is the fact that they are currently in the process of producing a cast iron base for the machine. The base is made in the USA and will weigh in at around 600 pounds. They are supposed to be available by the end of the summer and the cost is supposed to be around $700. This upgrade will really make the 1340GT stand above the competition.
Another thing to consider on the PM1340GT is the fact that they are currently in the process of producing a cast iron base for the machine. The base is made in the USA and will weigh in at around 600 pounds. They are supposed to be available by the end of the summer and the cost is supposed to be around $700. This upgrade will really make the 1340GT stand above the competition.
Nice to know! Thanks for the help Wg20.
Tony.
Contact forum member skeetlee. He owns and uses a SB heavy 10 made in Taiwan. Shiraz knows more about the SB line of products than anyone. He is an honest, helpful and knowledgeable person, and isn't going to BS you. Call him!I see Grizzly is advertising several Southbends for up to 50% off. Are there any real good options there in anyone's opinion?
Tony.
Contact forum member skeetlee. He owns and uses a SB heavy 10 made in Taiwan. Shiraz knows more about the SB line of products than anyone. He is an honest, helpful and knowledgeable person, and isn't going to BS you. Call him!
Thank you.
Looking at the Grizzly G0509G lathe mentioned it looks like a pretty good copy of a Colchester MkII 15x50 that I have. At least the gearing looks the same. The headstock looks shorter though. my lathe is 26" long D1-6 spindle. It's about the same weight and there are no change gears needed to cut metric threads.
Joe
Joe
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
You might get a better response if you started a new thread abou,t this. Don't know for sure but answer to your question is its longer than you'd like.Does anyone here use a Leblonde 15x60 regal servo shift ? If so , how long is it through the head from the face of a backing plate to the back of the spindle ? I've googled but haven't found the depth of the head listed.
7mmmag
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a Le Blond 15 X 50 regal and really like it , I also have a 13.5 " South Bend .The SB lathe only has a 1 3/8 spindle hole thats not big enough to do muzzle brake thru head stock. I have been around a couple small enco lathes and felt a little crude. I looked around a bit before I found it , I would personally try to find Clausing or LeBlond .
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.