Replies

1. 
   withthegrain | Aug 25, 2006 10:01pm | #1

   I know that Grizzley are well liked tools on this forum, but my one bad experience was with a lathe I bought from them about 8 years ago. I don't remember all of the issues but it was too light weight, would not lock down the tool rest, I managed to twist off a bolt by hand, was underpowered and would come to a complete stop if making more than a light cut. After two months of total frustration, I sold it. Lost a couple of hundred dollars but was glad to see it go out the door. Maybe this product has improved since I tried it. I'm not trying to start any flames here but it was not fun trying to get it to work.

   Lathes do not hold their value like a lot of ww tools. So it is not uncommon to find a used one for a reasonable price. I got an older Powermatic 45 for $500 and with a little turnup it has worked great. If you check out Powermatic on ebay you might find one close to where you live and save on shipping. Often an used good older tool is better than a not so good new tool.

   Hope this helps, Dennis

    

1. 
   SawDustShop | Aug 25, 2006 10:10pm | #2

   Thank you! E-bay is a great idea.

   Leo

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 27, 2006 07:08am | #8

   eBay isn't always (or even often) your best buy.  Since you're near a major metropolitan area, how about keeping an eye on Craig's List??  Woodworking tools seem to show up pretty often, they'll be in your geographic area, where you can go check them out in pereson.

   http://www.craigslist.org forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   SawDustShop | Aug 27, 2006 12:50pm | #9

   Craig's List is a great  suggestion. I have it bookmarked now.

   Thank you.

   Leo

2. 
   BossCrunk | Aug 25, 2006 10:17pm | #3

   Check it out, but I don't think the Griz has an indexing head which is a feature that I believe you should have.

1. 
   SawDustShop | Aug 27, 2006 07:16pm | #13

   Thank you for taking your time to answer my question. Because of my age (73), I don't want to spend a great deal more time researching Lathes. I will probably bite the bullet and get the Jet Lathe

3. 
   mgumaer | Aug 26, 2006 04:38am | #4

   Just a thought. But you might want to consider getting a mini-lathe to start. The cost of a chuck, tools and possibly sharpening equipment can add significant expense to getting up and running. It may make sense to start with an inexpensive lathe and focus on buying decent tools and a chuck. If you want to upgrade lathes later, most of your money will be in stuff you can keep and continue to use.

   Matt

4. 
   dtraversi | Aug 26, 2006 07:26pm | #5

   Since you are on a computer reading this -I'd answer your qusetion like this.
   If you were buying a computer and could save $500 choosing this or that- I'd say save the $500- You'll likely buy a new computer in 5-6 years (educated guess)

   Even if you go the eBay route , It would be nice if 15 years from now you are still using a terrific tool that has served you well and allowed you to grow into it.

   good luck
   dave

5. 
   BG | Aug 26, 2006 09:25pm | #6

   SawDustShop,
   Make sure you check out the top of the line models...Oneway. I bought the cast iron Sears model about 4 years ago. On paper it had all the bells and whistles...Index head, rotating head, 2hp(kinda, DC motor), 15" swing and 36" bed. It has served me very well. However, when I saw the Oneway and some others at a trade show I was really impressed with the smoothness of their operation. I'm not sure mine is off suficient quality to do fine work...certainly not over the long haul. So while you may not be able to afford the top line right now it would provide information on an appropriate tradeoff...smaller, used, etc.

1. 
   BossCrunk | Aug 26, 2006 10:11pm | #7

   If we're talking premium lathes then he might as well take a look at a Vicmarc.

6. 
   arkriver | Aug 27, 2006 04:56pm | #10

   I have a jet 1442, and still learning. You do need to realize that what ever the cost of the lathe you buy, you will probably spend that amount more for things to make the lathe do what you want - chuck, tools, etc. Yes you can spread that cost over time and not do it all at once but it mounts up

7. 
   wdrite | Aug 27, 2006 05:31pm | #11

   I have a Grizzly in your price range.  I get along good with it now but had problems in the beginning.  Let me tell you about it.  When I unboxed the tool, I discovered that it had been dropped damaging the spur center.  It had been hit so hard that the center could not be removed.  I called the company and they sent me a new headstock upon my returning the original.  This one had problems.  The variable speed would not work.  I called the company again and finally got a technician on the line who talked me through the process of disassembling the headstock and fixing the problem.  After many phone calls and going through several people on the other end, I finally got it to working.  I have had no other problems in the 4 or 5 years that I have owned it, however, I don't like the plastic knobs and handwheels.  Oh yes, I forgot, I had to replace the switch about the second year.  All in all, I think I got a lot for my money.

1. 
   SawDustShop | Aug 27, 2006 07:06pm | #12

   Thank you for taking your time to help me decide.

    I am 73 years old and I don't have time or the inclination to spend time fixing up the problems of the machines that Grizzly owners seem to have.