Any company still selling lathes?

C

CouldBeYou

New member
Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a 12x36 or a 13x40 full size lathe that would work well for cue building. I initially figured a budget of about 3000-3500 for a Grizzly 12x36 but was willing to bump up to 4000-4500 for a 13x40. Well, come to find out, Grizzly is completely out of stock on all their larger lathes for at least a few more months. I started checking around and it seems that a LOT of lathe suppliers are out of stock on this size of "hobby priced" lathe.

Anyone have any ideas on where to get a full size lathe in those price ranges? It's driving me nuts that I can't seem to find a new one for sale. I tried Grizzly, Jet, Shopfox, Harbor Freight, umm... a few others ... they are either out of stock or out of the price range.

Thanks for any leads.
 
CouldBeYou said:
Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a 12x36 or a 13x40 full size lathe that would work well for cue building. I initially figured a budget of about 3000-3500 for a Grizzly 12x36 but was willing to bump up to 4000-4500 for a 13x40. Well, come to find out, Grizzly is completely out of stock on all their larger lathes for at least a few more months. I started checking around and it seems that a LOT of lathe suppliers are out of stock on this size of "hobby priced" lathe.

Anyone have any ideas on where to get a full size lathe in those price ranges? It's driving me nuts that I can't seem to find a new one for sale. I tried Grizzly, Jet, Shopfox, Harbor Freight, umm... a few others ... they are either out of stock or out of the price range.

Thanks for any leads.
Click to expand...

Plenty: Have a look on Ebay if you really want new. Eisen and Clark have some that looked nice. There is an importer in Pittsburgh that is really good too. I'll try and find him for you..

Here is one WITH a DRO.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EISEN-1236G...330642644932?pt=BI_Lathes&hash=item4cfbd65fc4


Here is the east coast guy. All I know is he has a good reputation and was helpful to me.

http://precisionmatthews.com/PMLatheIndex.htm

If you aren't in much of a hurry, it isn't much trouble finding a used one. Where are you located?
 
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I was just told those lathes are in shortage too.
They are having manufacturing problems in China.
They are having way too many problems with these 12 by 36 and 13 by 40 YCL type lathes.
I was a victim of one lemon this year.

I recommed Eisen lathe as well. You pay about a grand more but you get service and reliability. Go with Taiwanese lathes for now.
Unless you want to find a used old American steel.
 
Excellent! Thanks for all the leads, I knew you guys would have the info! I talked to the guy in Pittsburgh and he was really helpful. Thanks again everyone.
 
Don't waste your time with a 12x36 make sure you get a 13x40 you need the room between centers.
 
JoeyInCali said:
I was just told those lathes are in shortage too.
They are having manufacturing problems in China.
They are having way too many problems with these 12 by 36 and 13 by 40 YCL type lathes.
I was a victim of one lemon this year.

I recommed Eisen lathe as well. You pay about a grand more but you get service and reliability. Go with Taiwanese lathes for now.
Unless you want to find a used old American steel.
Click to expand...

ycl=Birmingham....ugh

I've BEEN to their warehouse in LA and it IMO is a disaster. They kind of try to help, but anyone in there who knows what they are talking about has a terrible time with English. The one guy who was there forever quit and the guys in there who answer the phones in the actual warehouse don't know there stuff. I've actually been there a few times. The last visit one of there long standing employees helped me out the best he could. He was very knowledgeable, but the language barrier nearly killed us. Helping out customers in finding parts wasn't his position and a manager there eventually took him away to do more important things.

I'd avoid all Birmingham. I don't know about their retailers, but any parts you need are in LA.
 
Im still pretty new to this cue building stuff, but I love my south bend lathe. Its 40 years old, holds tight tolerances, and runs like a champ. Did I mention its over 40 years old and i can still get parts for it? :cool:

Joe
 
CouldBeYou said:
Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a 12x36 or a 13x40 full size lathe that would work well for cue building. I initially figured a budget of about 3000-3500 for a Grizzly 12x36 but was willing to bump up to 4000-4500 for a 13x40. Well, come to find out, Grizzly is completely out of stock on all their larger lathes for at least a few more months. I started checking around and it seems that a LOT of lathe suppliers are out of stock on this size of "hobby priced" lathe.

Anyone have any ideas on where to get a full size lathe in those price ranges? It's driving me nuts that I can't seem to find a new one for sale. I tried Grizzly, Jet, Shopfox, Harbor Freight, umm... a few others ... they are either out of stock or out of the price range.

Thanks for any leads.
Click to expand...


depending on your location,
this place in northern ohio near cleveland has 12 acres INDOORS of machinery
hgr industrial supply

sheldon lathe
http://www.hgrinc.com/buyOurs/inven..._start_price=&sel_end_price=&priceMode=direct
 
BHQ said:
depending on your location,
this place in northern ohio near cleveland has 12 acres INDOORS of machinery
hgr industrial supply

sheldon lathe
http://www.hgrinc.com/buyOurs/inven..._start_price=&sel_end_price=&priceMode=direct
Click to expand...

Those type of places are all over the country. There's one here in Cinti. Thing is they are usually pretty expensive. I've bought most of my equipment at auctions where a machine shop or manufacturing plant went belly up and I've bought a lot off of Craig's List very cheaply. I once got a Atlas lathe and all the other equipment and material off of a fellow trying to do cue repair for a plain custom cue. I bought a large, (16x48) old lathe for 250.00 once as it was so heavy no one wanted to move it. I also bought a Jet 12x40 lathe in great condition for 1200.00.

There are many great buys out there if you aren't pressed for time. I used to search on e-bay by just bringing up auctions for equipment with-in a 150 mile radius so that I could pick up myself on a trailer.

Dick
 
Lathes are everywhere, and if it is imports, Jet is the one in my humble opinion.



Mario
 
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