Grizzly 12" x 36" for cue making?

Kim Bye

Kim Bye

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I`m reseraching what options exists for a full size lathe in the reasonable price range.
The Grizzly 12" x 36" seems like a good deal at $2795
Is there any reasons to not go for this lathe?
If so what other options exists in the >$5000 range?
 
That was my first non Hightower non Porper and I put a HighTower taper bar on it.

Rat is correct on the RPM but for Router cutting and getting a dead nuts hole in Butt and shaft it well paid for itself.
 
CrossBone Cue said:
Buy a used Clausing, you wont regret it.
Steve
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I`ve watched your build and your Clausing looks great. But I need to find a lathe that is turn key ready.
Enco seems to be a popular choice, but they do cost quite a bit more.
There is an Italian brand: dmitaliasrl, they do look very similar to Grizzly, but have a 2000 RPM motor.
There is also a brand called Weiss available here in Norway, seems like a generic China made brand, that sells under many names, nut much information to dig up about Weiss or Dmitaliasrl on the web...
 
TomHay said:
Steve, can I ask your background around Tooling? You are doing some great work and seem to know all the ins and outs. Keep it up.
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Its not what you know, its who you know and being able to capitalize on what they know.
Steve
 
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Kim Bye said:
I`m reseraching what options exists for a full size lathe in the reasonable price range.
The Grizzly 12" x 36" seems like a good deal at $2795
Is there any reasons to not go for this lathe?
If so what other options exists in the >$5000 range?
Click to expand...


I'll make this real simple for you.

The Grizzly 12 x 36 lathe is a great lathe. Ours are 2100rpm but 1400 rpm could work (ugh too slow for me). Your choices are all the above mentioned lathes but you're best bet is Grizzly because it's ready to go and most importantly, they're great if you need parts. Grizzly stocks them.

If you purchase anything else and you need a part, you're looking at 30 to 60 days. Yes, you can purchase better lathes but you'll have to cobble them together to make them work whereas the Grizzly works right out of the box and their support is great as well as parts availability.

As far as their electronics:
We've had their lathes for over 15 years and have yet to have a problem! We turn ours on and off more than you ever will so I wouldn't worry about what other "experts" say.

Grizzly is your best bet.

However:
The distance between centers on that 12 x 36 is insufficient to work on a full shaft using the chuck with a dead center and the tailstock with a 'live' center. Did any "expert' mention this fact? Maybe they did and I missed it (doubtful). In any event, you cannot put a 30" or 29" shaft between centers on that lathe unless you work right out of the center without the chuck. This is not what you want to do.

Bottom-line:
Buy a 13 x 40 or 14 x 40 and don't look back plus you'll gain in RPM too.
 
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Joe Barringer said:
I'll make this real simple for you.

The Grizzly 12 x 36 lathe is a great lathe. Ours are 2100rpm but 1400 rpm will work for you. Your choices are all the above mentioned lathes but you're best bet is Grizzly because it's ready to go and most importantly, they're great if you need parts. Grizzly stocks them.

If you purchase anything else and you need a part, you're looking at 30 to 60 days. Yes, you can purchase better lathes but you'll have to cobble them together to make them work whereas the Grizzly works right out of the box and their support is great as well as parts availability.

As far as their electronics:
We've had their lathes for over 15 years and have yet to have a problem! We turn ours on and off more than you ever will so I wouldn't worry about what other "experts" say.

Grizzly is your best bet.

However:
The distance between centers on that 12 x 36 is insufficient to work on a full shaft using the chuck with a dead center and the tailstock with a 'live' center. Did any "expert' mention this fact? Maybe they did and I missed it (doubtful). In any event, you cannot put a 30" or 29" shaft between centers on that lathe unless you work right out of the center without the chuck. This is not what you want to do.

Bottom-line:
Buy a 13 x 40 or 14 x 40 and don't look back plus you'll gain in RPM too.
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Thanks for a great answer Joe, that makes perfect sense. The 13" x 40" is only about $1000 more, that still leaves $$ to taper bars and a router setup. The stuff from Deco cues looks great, but I`m not sure if those products still are available?
 
Grizzly

I have had this lathe for 12 years. Blew 1 capacitor 1st year. Trouble free for the next 11 years. Recently had a short develop and blew out a small chunk of terminal block. Great otherwise, has always been within .001". Next electrical problem and I will be replacing motor with 3 phase VFD, just did this to my 21 year old Smithy and it works great, soft start, quiet, speed range ~5-2000 RPM (was 50-1200). This mod totally obsoleted all original electrical components and wiring. Cost <$400 for new motor & VFD.
 
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The lathe is just the down payment for all the tooling you will buy for it ... LOL.
A few years back Grizzly was selling a 12 x 36" belt drive lathe for $1800 delivered!
I bought one and used it for years.
Wish I had not sold it as it worked very well for me.
I dont think they sell that model anymore and certainly not at that price.
If I ever get another metal lathe it will be a 40" bed as the extra 4" is needed sometimes.

Willee
 
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mark smith said:
I have had this lathe for 12 years. Blew 1 capacitor 1st year. Trouble free for the next 11 years. Recently had a short develop and blew out a small chunk of terminal block. Great otherwise, has always been within .001". Next electrical problem and I will be replacing motor with 3 phase VFD, just did this to my 21 year old Smithy and it works great, soft start, quiet, speed range ~5-2000 RPM (was 50-1200). This mod totally obsoleted all original electrical components and wiring. Cost <$400 for new motor & VFD.
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Yeah I have read similar experiences with that lathe.
I`m in the position that I can`t fit a big 13" x 40" lathe, so I have to compromise...
I have no plans about building cues, just repairing and slowly learning the craft, so a bench size 12" x 36" suits my needs. I also have a basic repair lathe from Bassel, that gives me the ability to mount full length butts and shafts for refinishing, changing wrap etc.
I`m still experimenting with the lathe from Bassel, but I`m not happy with the precision for changing tips, ferrules etc.
The ability to do live tooling have been something I did not really understand the importance of before I got my Basic repair lathe, you simply can`t build cues without that ability..
Because of practial concearns I have opted to go for a Weiss WM290V-F. It`s only 70mm between the centers, but have the same spindle bore and a bigger RPM range than the Grizzly. Weiss sells some really nice DRO`s for a reasonable price.

I plan to get the Kress mount from Deco cues and build my own system for tapering, the Deco taper bar looks nice, but I dont have the space for it, so I have to improvise...
 
WilleeCue said:
The lathe is just the down payment for all the tooling you will buy for it ... LOL.
A few years back Grizzly was selling a 12 x 36" belt drive lathe for $1800 delivered!
I bought one and used it for years.
Wish I had not sold it as it worked very well for me.
I dont think they sell that model anymore and certainly not at that price.
If I ever get another metal lathe it will be a 40" bed as the extra 4" is needed sometimes.

Willee
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Really cool picture buddy :) I`m looking forward to getting my metal lathe :)
 
WilleeCue said:
The lathe is just the down payment for all the tooling you will buy for it ... LOL.
A few years back Grizzly was selling a 12 x 36" belt drive lathe for $1800 delivered!
I bought one and used it for years.
Wish I had not sold it as it worked very well for me.
I dont think they sell that model anymore and certainly not at that price.
If I ever get another metal lathe it will be a 40" bed as the extra 4" is needed sometimes.

Willee
Click to expand...
You need to reach in that and go get you some shoes!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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