Precision Matthews 1440GT or South Bend Sb1114F lathe?

[Konocti's Wigwam]

My shop usually stays clean. But I will admit I have learned my lesson tracking chips in the house. My wife wasn’t too happy.
It’s just as easy to clean as you go…

Tell me about it, we don't wear shoes in the house. Not fun getting a chip in your foot. I'm much more careful nowadays...LOL

 

[johnnyi]

How about Sharp ?

2023 Sharp 14” x 40” Lathe with Digital Variable Speed 1440V w/Accessories | eBay

14” swing, 40” between centers. Swing Over Cross Slide: 8.62”. Swing Over Bed: 14”. Swing Over Gap: 20”. Digital Vari Speed (DVS) (30-2,000 rpm). Spindle Nose: D1-4 camlock. Spindle Speed: 30 – 2000 RPM.

www.ebay.com

 

[itchyTF]

Why not get the 1440GT with 3 phase motor and add the VFD yourself?

 

[xr650rRider]

Why not get the 1440GT with 3 phase motor and add the VFD yourself?

What I did with PM-1340GT. There is a guy on Hobby Machinist who is making a solid state control board that replaces all of the relays. There are schematics there for using the stock contactors when adding a VFD, which is what I did. They have never had high voltage ran thru the contacts and work fine for 24 volt signaling to VFD. I also added an electronic lead screw, no gear changes, cuts every thread, metric and imperial and also has a custom thread which can be set to any pitch. Has a thread to shoulder feature that is automated and stops lead screw at shoulder and retracts leadscrew to start of thread for another pass.

 

[urbanrifleman]

What I did with PM-1340GT. There is a guy on Hobby Machinist who is making a solid state control board that replaces all of the relays. There are schematics there for using the stock contactors when adding a VFD, which is what I did. They have never had high voltage ran thru the contacts and work fine for 24 volt signaling to VFD. I also added an electronic lead screw, no gear changes, cuts every thread, metric and imperial and also has a custom thread which can be set to any pitch. Has a thread to shoulder feature that is automated and stops lead screw at shoulder and retracts leadscrew to start of thread for another pass.

So you bought a lathe as more of a kit hahaha

Why don't they make THAT lathe???

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

So you bought a lathe as more of a kit hahaha

Laugh if you will, but my South Bend Heavy 10 is a kinda "kit" also. Just getting my shop setup, no power yet, but waiting for electrician to run single phase in and connect panels and phase converter.

The reason I say it's a kit, is that most all vintage machines are a "project". LOL

So it's not plug-n-play as some would hope for. OTOH, neither is my shop.



On a clear day you can see for miles!

The intention is to be able to drive down and around the house as a turnaround.

 

[Sniperhandle]

What I did with PM-1340GT. There is a guy on Hobby Machinist who is making a solid state control board that replaces all of the relays. There are schematics there for using the stock contactors when adding a VFD, which is what I did. They have never had high voltage ran thru the contacts and work fine for 24 volt signaling to VFD. I also added an electronic lead screw, no gear changes, cuts every thread, metric and imperial and also has a custom thread which can be set to any pitch. Has a thread to shoulder feature that is automated and stops lead screw at shoulder and retracts leadscrew to start of thread for another pass.

He doesn't make them anymore.

 

[Sniperhandle]

Personally, I wouldn't buy one of the new SB lathes made by Grizzly, they're not even South Bends, IMO. I have a lot of experience with older South Bend lathes, and the Heavy 10 is the sweet spot for home shops.

That said, a lot of people don't like buying or fixing old machines. I'm not one of them.

I would wait and get the PM you want, don't let a few weeks change your plans.

The Southbends that Grizzly Sells are very high quality machines made by SunMaster in Taiwan. Sorry, But they are far superior to the old Southbend machines. They are a pretty close copy to a Clausing lathe. They have been in shops now for many years and have proven their worth.

 

[butchlambert]

The Southbends that Grizzly Sells are very high quality machines made by SunMaster in Taiwan. Sorry, But they are far superior to the old Southbend machines. They are a pretty close copy to a Clausing lathe. They have been in shops now for many years and have proven their worth.

Yes Sir!

 

[xr650rRider]

He doesn't make them anymore.

Really?

 

[xr650rRider]

These may not be for sale unless they want to do a run of them.
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/els-and-solid-state-controls-for-my-pm-1340gt.111398/

For the PM-1440GT, I know he has had some PCB's made but might not sale you one.............but he might.
https://www.hobby-machinist.com/thr...tronic-components-pm1440gt-vfd-3-phase.95058/

 

[Sniperhandle]

Really?
View attachment 1594052

That's what he said when I asked him about one 6 mos ago. Edit: I actually asked him about the whole kit, Not just a board, I could be wrong, Ask him.

I thought you were talking about Mark.

 

[Bullwinklelol]

Through the end of the month pm has 5% off with the code sept24, I just ordered a 3ph 1440gt that I will vfd to replace my aging pm1236t that I put a 3 ph motor and vfd on. It worked great I am sure the 1440gt will better

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

The Southbends that Grizzly Sells are very high quality machines made by SunMaster in Taiwan. Sorry, But they are far superior to the old Southbend machines. They are a pretty close copy to a Clausing lathe. They have been in shops now for many years and have proven their worth.

I don't doubt you, they're just not the machines for me.

I own 2 x South Bend 10Ls and 1 x South Bend 9As. My main lathe is a Rivett 1020. I could never see myself investing in a new South Bend as Grizzly is the epitome to why America is in decline. I would go the PM route given the choice, but that's me. Good luck to any of you making a decision for your shop. I have made my decisions already and I will live with them. I could change my mind, but pretty set at this point.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I don't doubt you, they're just not the machines for me.

I own 2 x South Bend 10Ls and 1 x South Bend 9As. My main lathe is a Rivett 1020. I could never see myself investing in a new South Bend as Grizzly is the epitome to why America is in decline. I would go the PM route given the choice, but that's me. Good luck to any of you making a decision for your shop. I have made my decisions already and I will live with them. I could change my mind, but pretty set at this point.

I get what you are saying, Buuuut, You don't have any problems with a Chinese Dewalt etc.

If you took everything that was not made in the USA off your property, You would be sitting on the floor reading a book.

Like it or not, We are in a Global Economy and it will only get more Global as time goes by. The only reason you can't get a new USA made lathe is because it would cost too much and nobody would buy them. And the fact of the matter would be, It would be made out of imported parts, Just like everything that is made here now.

Standard Modern, May still make a lathe here, But the only ones who can afford them is the Military.

 

[LVLAaron]

We should be thankful companies like PM and Grizzly are able to distribute great machines.

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

I get what you are saying, Buuuut, You don't have any problems with a Chinese Dewalt etc.

I don't for DeWalt as I won't buy anymore of them, but I do have a problem with the Milwaukee cordless that is made in China that I own. You're right, it's almost impossible to not buy Chinese product and the current administration isn't helping that much.

Much of the DeWalt cordless seems to be made in Mexico.

If you took everything that was not made in the USA off your property

I have to ponder, who would have more Chinesium, me or you? I think I know the answer to that already as I go out of my way to stay clear of Chinese products whenever I can. Even willing to buy vintage American over Chinesium. I will often pay more for products made outside of China, just based on principal.

Like it or not, We are in a Global Economy and it will only get more Global as time goes by.

I realize that, but willing to pay more, in order to NOT help China. I have an ethics problem with China, period, and doing whatever I can NOT to buy from them. Seems like you're more willing to roll over for them.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I don't for DeWalt as I won't buy anymore of them, but I do have a problem with the Milwaukee cordless that is made in China that I own. You're right, it's almost impossible to not buy Chinese product and the current administration isn't helping that much.

Much of the DeWalt cordless seems to be made in Mexico.



I have to ponder, who would have more Chinesium, me or you? I think I know the answer to that already as I go out of my way to stay clear of Chinese products whenever I can. Even willing to buy vintage American over Chinesium. I will often pay more for products made outside of China, just based on principal.



I realize that, but willing to pay more, in order to NOT help China. I have an ethics problem with China, period, and doing whatever I can NOT to buy from them. Seems like you're more willing to roll over for them.

I'm not willing to rollover for them at all, That's an insult. Throw your I-Phone or computer in the trash and write me a letter instead of having this conversation on a chinese device with a chinese modem and router.

Ok, You have these old American wore out machines, According to your philosophy, More new American lathes need to be produced and purchased so you can buy another worn out machine in 30 years, Nobody is buying them, Because there aren't any, Or very little. If we all took you up on that idea, There isn't enough worn out South Bend's for everyone in the US that would need one.

So what do we do now?

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

So what do we do now?

I don't know what we do, I just leave you be. You have twisted what I said into my machines being old and worn out. Enjoy whatever phone or machine you use. I care about what's in my shop, not yours. Cheers!

 

[Sniperhandle]

I don't know what we do, I just leave you be. You have twisted what I said into my machines being old and worn out. Enjoy whatever phone or machine you use. I care about what's in my shop, not yours. Cheers!

You like poking the bear.

I apologize if I offended you.