Mathews Lathe

[BDestafeno]

My son is looking at new lathes. One of them is a Mathews. does anyone have any experience with Mathews Lathes?


Thanks,


BD

 

[pdhntr]

My son is looking at new lathes. One of them is a Mathews. does anyone have any experience with Mathews Lathes?


Thanks,


BD

I've had a PM 1440 for three years now. Hobby lathe is all. No production.

What model is he looking at, and for what use?

Jim

 

[BDestafeno]

PD

The lathe model is PM-1127VF-LB. He just graduated Colo School of trades. The lathe will be used for general gunsmithing, repairs, parts, crowning and the occasional chambering. We are setting up a shop and trying to keep everything in somewhat of a controlable budget.

Thanks,

B

 

[pdhntr]

PD

The lathe model is PM-1127VF-LB. He just graduated Colo School of trades. The lathe will be used for general gunsmithing, repairs, parts, crowning and the occasional chambering. We are setting up a shop and trying to keep everything in somewhat of a controlable budget.

Thanks,

B

Congratulations to your son. It would really be hard for me to comment on the quality of that lathe. I believe all of the lathes Matt sells are imports from China or regions close by. Most are entry level machines, consumer lathes so to speak. Some have high quality bearings and are finished nicely, and others, not so much.

Mine isn't a work of art by any means. But it is accurate, and for what I have invested, it does very well.

I really only had one "problem" with mine. There was a bunch of grinding slag in the spindle bore in shipping and it got into the cam locks when I tried to take the chuck off. Once I finally got the chuck off, I had to disassemble the entire chuck and file the burrs off the cams.

If I got another one new, before I would start it up, I would disassemble pretty much everything and check it out.

Matt seems to have a pretty good rep. Too busy at times, but I really haven't heard of anything seriously wrong with his line.

Jim

 

[BDestafeno]

Jim,

Thanks! we are for now going to start with a enry level lathe. If in a year or two if he needs to we will upgrade.''

B

 

[MOTORSPORTS55]

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE LATHE ?

 

[BDestafeno]

Cost is approx $2400.00


BD

 

[hammerjack]

BD,
You could look at the 12x36 and you should not have to upgrade down the road. It has a light, coolant system, foot brake which all come in handy. It comes with a quick change tool post too with holders.

 

[MOTORSPORTS55]

I LOOKIED AT A GEAR HEAD LATHE FROM HARBOR FREIGHT FOR AROUND 2500.00 . THAT LOOKS JUST LIKE A GRIZZLEY CANT TELL A DIFFERANCE. ANYONE TRY THEM ?

 

[timbertoes]

short answer on the 1127 model : No.
for one, its way to specific of a build/design so youcould be in a bad way for replacment parts. it's not unheard of for them to ship these with missing accesories, and then waiting and waiting 6+ months for them. like Chucks...

I had one, and while I am just another newbie.........sold it and got a 14x40 Enco. 14x40 being the operative words.

and still find that I should have waited on the grizzly.
if for no other reasons than these four:
1. the "forward offset tail stock" so that carriage goes that extra inch or two back. also should mean the tail stock goes that extra distance to the Chuck!

2 so I dont (still) have the project of making a bearing steady rest.

3. barrels fit easily from chuck to tailstock. if you need it. I did.
4. no/minimal dang gear changes.

 

[timbertoes]

PS the Chuck/spindle mount on the 1127 is a DIN version, and if you want to upgrade, you will simply not easily find anything that fits at a reasonable cost.

 

[BDestafeno]

Timbertoes,

Thanks! Thats the type of info we were looking for. Prolly end up with one of the Grizzly gunsmithing models.

B

 

[Chuckw]

I have been using the PM1236 got several years and don't have many complaints. it does good work. matt just released a lathe manufactured in Taiwan for a reasonable cost. I would look at it before anything else. its going to be twice the money but you should only have to buy it once. the Chinese castings are CRAP!

chuck

 

[smoooth]

I have no experience with PM lathes, but have owned a few brands over the years, mostly older USA made. I do currently own a Birmingham 12x36 which is China made if I recall. It's a late 1990's and I have had no problems with it, considering it was bought used. It does not see much use these days, but is flawless when needed. Most China lathes are all built off the same design, save for a couple features.

Do your homework, select specific features that you will need or think you will need. If this is your first lathe, it will not be your last; much will be learned from the first purchase. Remember, heavy = accurate. Save some money for an Aloris or KDK tool post, too.

Currently have a Lion 16x40 (Bulgaria 1998) and Hardinge HC (USA 1963), both are great machines but the Hardinge is in a class of it's own.

Good luck, and congratulations to your son!

 

[Hal]

For the Aloris style tool holder check CDCO. They are made in China but do the job and for the price can't be beat. The socket screw should be replaced.

Hal

 

[Scott Harris]

I have a PM 1340-GT and am very happy with it. For you needs I'd suggest the 12x36 model.....pretty much the same as the Grizzly 12x36. It's a little more than the price you are looking at but is a much more standard size....parts and what not are easier to find and it is big enough to most all barrels. http://machinetoolonline.com/PM1236.html

Matt has been a pleasure to work with.

 

[boltman223]

Have you looked into the south bend 10L (heavy 10). They are great little lathes and you could be able to find a good one for close to what you mentioned.you should Do a little research on them.

 

[johara1]

A guy near Pittsburgh handles them and i looked at the 1127 and it is very cheap and the castings are on the light side. To compare it to a South Bend 10 K is a way better machine even 50 years older. The one thats made in Tiawan is an other story it seems to be a lot better machine........ I would look at a used Clausing or a heavy ten SB...... jim

 

[jonbearman]

For about 3000.00 or less you can buy an older southbend tool room lathe.They are ebay all the time.Mine was made in 1964 and with love and attantion to detail it is an accurate tool room style lathe.Just be sure to buy one with all the goodies like I did.There are plenty of parts available all over the place and they will outlast your son and american made.Leblonde bought the rights to them and still offer parts if needed if you cant find them elsewhere on ebay or the used machinery companys.

 

[johara1]

I think Grizzly now owns South Bend ........ jim