Metal Lathe

M

masonh

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
i am getting ready to buy a metal lathe and was wondering if the Jets are any better than Grizzlys or vice a versa.i notice they are a little higher in price,but that really doesn't mean anything.also would like to hear about Enco,SB,etc.

i had planned on the Grizzly gun lathe,but after reading the post here about them being the exact same as the 12x36 gear driven lathe.i figured it was marketing hype.

anyway just looking for some input on what is better and why.
 
Jet and Grizzly aren't much different today. 20 years ago, yes.

The lathe is your most important tool and the one place where you should buy the best you can afford. I would advise against the 36" because I promise you that there will come a time when it will be a little shorter than you need. The standard size for cue making is the 13X40. and you are going to want all the speed you can get.

Call Grizly and ask them what the actual differences are, between the Gear head and the gunsmiths Jr.
 
I would go with Grizzly myself. They make great machines. I know Dale Perry has nothing but Grizzly machines in his shop from what I could see when I was there recently.
 
Jet over Grizzly

It's been a few years so possibly this information is dated but when I was lathe shopping Jet won out over Grizzly for several reasons. One, Grizzly wouldn't respond to my inquiries about a lathe they had had out for awhile. Two, Grizzly warranty service was far less than stellar, Jet's was fantastic. Finally, while Jets are a little higher, you can price shop or even request bids on a Jet, the Griz comes straight from the importer at the price they are in the mood to sell it.

The cosmetics on the outside of the machines vary as do some of the controls however my information is that all of the major pieces of the chinese lathes come from the same government foundry. Outside finish may vary a bit but when you get on the inside they all make you want to puke! Doesn't really matter though, they work. I run an old 13x40 low end Enco and a 16x60 Jet fairly often, both with a lot of hours on them in a little job shop. They both need tightening up but are still doing good work.

I'll dig around for a contact and a quote I got last year or so on one of the other brands of chinese lathes. It was in the same price range and had a foot brake. I don't think I'll ever buy another lathe bigger than a mini that doesn't have a brake. Don't know if I can find the quote or not.

Here are some links. I haven't actually done business with any of these guys so they are just folks to check out if you are interested.

Hu


http://www.techspex.com/ (has lists of manufacturers and distributors of machine tools, great place to start)


http://www.southern-tool.com/store/metal_working.html

http://www.wttool.com/category-exec/category_id/12920/nm/Lathes

http://www.americanmachinetools.com/lathe.htm (pretty sure these folks gave me some excellent quotes)
 
Paul Dayton said:
Take a look at www.sharp-industries.com, the 1340 vairable speed is a nice lathe.
Click to expand...
B04-1340VS-01-.jpg

No kidding Paul. Thanks.
WOW!
 
Dave,

I think we were talking about a lathe for making cues, not a tool room second operation lathe for making joints, screws and ferrules.

I just bought the 1340VS and it is a really nice lathe.
 
Paul Dayton said:
Dave,

I think we were talking about a lathe for making cues, not a tool room second operation lathe for making joints, screws and ferrules.

I just bought the 1340VS and it is a really nice lathe.
Click to expand...
I can use that second op lathe to tap shafts. :D

Make j/p's too.
 
Paul Dayton said:
Dave,

I think we were talking about a lathe for making cues, not a tool room second operation lathe for making joints, screws and ferrules.

I just bought the 1340VS and it is a really nice lathe.
Click to expand...

I know, but was just giving Joey a hard time 'cause the HLV is (I think) his favorite lathe ... I'd like one too. This Sharp is an HLV clone, not a DV clone. Sharp does seem to make very solid machines.

Dave
 
i could use a tool room lathe for smaller stuff,if i had a ton of money.

i settled on a used Jet 13x40 belt drive that belonged to a cuemaker,so it is setup nicely.it has Sony magnetic DRO and hardinge speed chuck with all hardinge collets.it also comes with assorted bits,taps and chucks and a bushing system for the spindle.

thanks to those who posted with help.
 
Well OK but . . .

we expect pictures when you get all your toys home and set up!

Hu



masonh said:
i could use a tool room lathe for smaller stuff,if i had a ton of money.

i settled on a used Jet 13x40 belt drive that belonged to a cuemaker,so it is setup nicely.it has Sony magnetic DRO and hardinge speed chuck with all hardinge collets.it also comes with assorted bits,taps and chucks and a bushing system for the spindle.

thanks to those who posted with help.
Click to expand...
 
should be this weekend or next week.i also bought a CNC machine with it as a package deal.it has a little engraving spindle,but i just ordered a 60k NSK for it today.also a little drum sander and miiling machine thanks again for the help Hu.
 
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