New Lathe Advice For Basement Shop

[Jud96]

I am retiring my old lathe do to overwhelming mechanical issues I don't have time for. I want to run the machine, not work on it. Having said that, what NEW lathe would you all recommend for a basement shop? Weight is unfortunately a concern, but I don't have a garage/pole barn/shop to put a lathe in so my basement has to do for now. I'll be using the lathe for barrel work and tinkering around at home with. I have been looking at the Precision Matthews 1228VF-LB and it fits my size and budget. I really like the PM-1236T, but it's both a stretch on my budget and the weight concerns me getting it down my basement steps. I have also looked at some of Grizzly's offerings. Most of my experience has been with higher end lathes from Clausing, American, and Monarch. My only experience with an import is from an older JET. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Cloudrepair]

Mine is a 1236 Tiawan made lathe and I'm happy with it.
When I put it in my basement I had a walkout door so it was easier but if it is separated from stand I imagine you could set up a come along hooked to something and lower it down the stairs easy enough and then pick it up with a cerry picker and set it up in basement.

 

[Jud96]

Mine is a 1236 Tiawan made lathe and I'm happy with it.
When I put it in my basement I had a walkout door so it was easier but if it is separated from stand I imagine you could set up a come along hooked to something and lower it down the stairs easy enough and then pick it up with a cerry picker and set it up in basement.

That’s exactly how I got my current lathe in the basement, except it was 500-600lbs for the lathe and 200-300lbs for the cabinet and motor. The 1236T is 1100lbs total, and from what I can find the lathe is around 900-1000lbs and the cabinet is ~100lbs. I’m not sure if the stairs would support double the weight of the old lathe or not.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

You can get it down there. You can do almost anything when you have no choice. Buy once cry once

 

[BuffaloBill]

Perhaps you could add some additional temporary support under your stairs, like vertical 2x6s or something.

 

[Jud96]

You can get it down there. You can do almost anything when you have no choice. Buy once cry onceView attachment 1556699View attachment 1556700

Jesus. I wonder what that beast weighed

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The coloum is 700 pounds. Most of the stocks I have inleted have been done on that mill.

 

[Bob3700]

How many hours did it take to put it that mill back together? I hate “ Some assembly required”!

 

[Jud96]

The coloum is 700 pounds. Most of the stocks I have inleted have been done on that mill.

That’s impressive! The lathe I have now I got it in the basement the same way you got that mill in, but it’s a little lighter.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The worst part is thinking about it. Doing it is just work.

 

[Cloudrepair]

Anyway I wouldn't want to go smaller then my 1236.
I have been running the same kind of lathes as you amd many others except leblond instead of monarch but them leblonds are very nice lathes too.

 

[LVLAaron]

Ranch style house for sale; comes with free bridgebort mill.

 

[hoz53]

I am retiring my old lathe do to overwhelming mechanical issues I don't have time for. I want to run the machine, not work on it. Having said that, what NEW lathe would you all recommend for a basement shop? Weight is unfortunately a concern, but I don't have a garage/pole barn/shop to put a lathe in so my basement has to do for now. I'll be using the lathe for barrel work and tinkering around at home with. I have been looking at the Precision Matthews 1228VF-LB and it fits my size and budget. I really like the PM-1236T, but it's both a stretch on my budget and the weight concerns me getting it down my basement steps. I have also looked at some of Grizzly's offerings. Most of my experience has been with higher end lathes from Clausing, American, and Monarch. My only experience with an import is from an older JET. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

ive got a grizzly gunsmith lathe and a PM 1440GT(i think). one reason i bought them was on the ability to get parts quickly. i havent had to yet but in recent years that has changed some and there have been people waiting a year to get their parts shipped over from china. dont know what the situation is now — u mite want to consider parts availability anyway.

 

[mike mccormick]

I got a new 1440 grizzly gunsmith lathe earlier this year. Pleasantly surprised at the quality and lack of runout. Good value for the money.

 

[butchlambert]

I bought an 0709 Grizzly to go with my Clausing 6913. I have not accustomed to the Grizzly yet. It all seems backasswards. I have to think too much when using it. I miss my 10EE.

 

[boltfluter]

Absolutely buy the lathe you want. Do not compromise as you will be using it for many many yrs to come . As Alex has shown, if there is a will, there is a way to get it done. Good luck and keep us posted.
Paul

 

[Judd]

And here I've been dreading moving a mill drill into my shop on all cement ground

 

[Alex Wheeler]

My shop went into my basement, out of my basement and into a real shop, then to Fl, then back to the old shop in Mt, then back to Fl. If your thinking about gunsmithing then you already have the required stupidity to do this.

 

[Cloudrepair]

What size of hole through the spindle does the 1228 have?

 

[Jud96]

What size of hole through the spindle does the 1228 have?

1-1/2”