Metal Lathes

texbaylea · Feb 24, 2007

I have had an Atlas/Craftsman 6" x 18" metal lathe since the mid 70s but have not used it in about the last 10 years. Before that I had used it mainly to turn drivers for bushings, bearings and seals. I have had some potential projects lately so dug the little lathe out but it needs a lot of TLC though mostly cleaning. It is marginal for what I want to do so have been looking a 12" lathes.

Grizzly has a couple G4002 and G4003. These are 12" x 24"and 12" x 36" respectively, cam lock spindles, gear head and gap beds. They are priced either side of $2000 which is within budget. Anyone have any experience with these lathes or know of similar for me to look at?

I figure the little Craftsman should have some value to offset the cost of the new lathe.

Vernon

Birdhunter1 · Feb 24, 2007

Funny you mention the Grizzly lathes, I was just looking at them 10 minutes ago!

I built a shopping cart (just for fun) full of stuff, about $12,000 in just machines, $2500 in tooling. Oh how I'd like a free shopping spree!

MadReferee · Feb 25, 2007

Go on over the the Home Shop Machinist forum. There the General discussion forum is geared more to the home hobby machinist and your Grizzly lathe has probably been discussed many times previously. If you are intimidated by the more professional people on the PracticalMachinist forum, you will find that the HSM board is rather friendly and made up of average people whose hobby is machining.

texbaylea · Feb 25, 2007

Mad

I suscribe to the magazine but have never looked at the forum. Thanks for reminding me about it.

Vernon

MadReferee · Feb 25, 2007

I have subscribed to HSM since the mid 80's and Projects in Metal (aka The Machinists Workshop) since it started too. I passed on the Digital Machinist and Live Steam as they are not my cup of tea.

texbaylea · Feb 25, 2007

Mad

Me too! (HSM & TMW) I have not been doing any kind of metal project but enjoy seeing the work done by others. I am storing up ideas for the future.

Vernon

AlanB · Feb 25, 2007

Two of my friends run the Grizzly lathes and other assorted Grizzly equipment and have been well pleased with them.

If you read HSM they have both been published there I believe. Conrad Huard and Ron Reed.

They both wholeheartedly endorse the Grizzly equipment for it's abilities, quality and price. And Grizzly stands behind the equipment they sell with knowledgable folks, and repair parts.

Our group has had great success with thier products.

Youare · Feb 26, 2007

I have a Grizzly table saw and like what I got for the $$.

Take a look at the used equipment market for metal working machines, you can get some good deals. The only draw back some times is the shipping cost. I operate a LeBlond 12 X 60 lathe at work that we purchased last year for about $2,500.00 that was made in the 1980's.

Randy

scott_vt · Feb 26, 2007

Mornin Vernon,
I think I would want to read a bunch of reviews on the Grizzly lathes before I bought one. As Mad Ref points out you could go the Machinists forum and get some helpful input and a bunch of reviews. I dont own a Grizzly lathe but I do own some Grizzly equipment. I have had some good luck with them and so not so pleasant experiences ! I have their 15" planer and their 16" bamdsaw. I previously owned their 6" joiner, which was basically a piece of garbage when I got it !!! The infeed table was not parallel with the outfeed table. Rather than ship the whole machine back to Washington I brought it into work and remachined the dovetails that the table rides on to make it right. I have been a toolmaker/modelmaker for over 35 years and I felt it was easier for me to fix the darn thing rather than have them send me another lemon !!! I now have a 8" Delta joiner which is a beautiful machine. The bandsaw is no bargain either but when monet permits Im planning on getting the top of the line Jet saw. The planer is a pretty good machine but its a nightmare to change the blades. I had to make some special fixtures and need my dial indicator to get them set right. At work I use Hardinge lathes with digital readouts accurate to tenths so I would guess I wouldnt be happy with a Grizzly lathe. For the casual home DIY guy they may be fine, but once again I would like to read some reviews !

Good Luck !

texbaylea · Feb 26, 2007

I live close to a small market area so things such as machine tools appear seldom. If I could get home delivery of the Houston paper I could watch that. It is a good suggestion but my location is poor for that type of buy.

Texas`A & M University surplus sales occasionally have machine tools but usually in poor condition.

Vernon

bamatoolmaker · Feb 26, 2007

In the 2,000.00 range you are quite limited on the selection.I would be surprised if you could find a used HD lathe for that price that was not completely worn out.I know 1 man that swears by the Grizzly brand but he is using wood working machinery.I have used Jet and Enco lathes and are decent machines for mild steel and aluminum.

MadReferee · Feb 26, 2007

Back about 20 years ago I paid $1000 for my South Bend 9A and it came fully tooled with 3-jaw, 4-jaw, 6-jaw, face plate, several different QC tool posts, complete set of 3C collets and much more. Every now and then you see them for sale for about what I paid less tooling. This one is about 40 years old and is still going strong.

Kyle_in_Tex · Feb 26, 2007

Vernon,
I have never been able to catch any machine tool auctions at A & M so I'm not sure what they have offered and who decides when and what to sell.

I can say if your not in any hurry to look for a nice used machine. Monarch, Clausing, Hardinge, South Bend are great machines. Victor and others are decent too. Look for wear up close to the chuck on the ways, feed screw shafts etc. See if the spindle bearings are easy to spin without play. Some things can be fixed but full out wear on the ways is pretty much when you move a machine to someone elses barn or weldshop. I would say you could find something decent for $2K if you look. Most people who deal this stuff in the business want $3K on up. It all depends on what you want to cut and the tolerance you want to hold.

Mad, you got a great deal if your machine is in good shape. A new Hardinge dovetail toolroom lathe with readout is over $37,000 last I checked 10 years ago.

texbaylea · Feb 26, 2007

Mad

Thank for the lead to the HSM forums. The 3 jaw chuck did not want to come off the Atlas. Found the suggstion there to lock up the headstock with the bull gear pinned and the backgear engaged. Chuck up a large Allen wrench and tap it with a dead blow hammer!! Did it and it worked

Kyle
Near as I can figure that the good stuff that is declared surplus is spotted out by staff and pre sold. What ends up in public sales is the left overs.

If I can get away during the dog shows in Houston in July I will see what remains in the way of surplus machinery dealers. I have been watching the swap page from Houston Home Metal Shop Club but not seeing anything I want.

I guess that I will just have to be patient and clean and set up my little Atlas. I just hope I can find the box with all the extras as I need the 4-jaw chuck for an immediate project.

Vernon

texbaylea · Feb 26, 2007

Mad

That is a great looking SB. I love see old machines that have been maintained.

Two of my woodworking tools came from the late 40's, early 50's that my father bought; a Delta 14" band saw and a 6" Craftsman jointer. Both are still serviceable. The band saw is in need of another set of tires and the jointer could use a new set of knives.

Vernon

jmc · Feb 27, 2007

texbaylea said:
Anyone have any experience with these lathes or know of similar for me to look at?
Vernon

Vernon,

For what its worth, Enco has a March sale on a12x36 gap bed in that price range, with free shipping. I've never seen one. Here's a link:
Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies

John

MadReferee · Feb 27, 2007

That ENCO lathe probably came from the same factory as the Grizzly. For $2294 you get a lathe with motor and cabinet stand. Not a bad deal since it includes free shipping. You can spend the money saved with no shipping on some additional tooling over and above what comes with the lathe.

texbaylea · Feb 27, 2007

John

Thanks for the note. I will go look at the Enco site.

Vernon

texbaylea · Feb 28, 2007

I looked at the Enco site and agree it does look very much like the Grizzly unit. I was disappointed with the Enco site in comparision to Grizzly's in the amount of detail about the lathe. I could not find a manual or detailed spec sheet. I did find a manual for a similar lathe but not that specific one.

I like the way Grizzly puts links to the manual, parts list and specifications on the page with the unit. At the moment I would go with Grizzly primarily because I feel more comfortable with the amount of info I can get from them.

I appreciate everyones input but am putting this search aside but not forgotten. I have just about convinced myself that a backhoe is of more value to us and more important right now.

Vernon