Hendu3270
Member
Alright guys, After a long decision making process, (a few months), I decided to go with a metal lathe instead of upgrading my wood lathe. I'm doing fine with the wood lathe I currently have and know how to overcome any short comings it has. Soooo, I ordered the Grizzly 7x14 metal lathe a couple of weeks ago and was told it was on backorder and would be available May 16th (today) for shipment. The cost of this lathe is what I can handle right now ($800 total shipped). This morning I was told it is now expected to be available June 27th. I'm not waiting for this anymore. I'm now looking at other options for a metal lathe of this size. So ALL these 7" lathes are made in China? Even the Grizzly lathes? I've sort of shy'd away from getting the Harbor Freight 7x12 because I figured the Grizzly was better, but this is based on pretty much nothing. I'm just really irritated right now and looking for any options some of you guys may have to offer I guess.
I liked the idea of the extra 2" of the Grizzly but I guess if I were to go with the HF 12", I would still have enough extra to justify getting the quick release tool post. What about the setup of the HF model as compared to the setup of the Grizzly? Is the HF model gonna drive me crazy trying to get it turning accuratley as compared to the Grizzly (or another brand), or are all metal lathes needing some intense adjusting to get it dialed in?
I liked the idea of the extra 2" of the Grizzly but I guess if I were to go with the HF 12", I would still have enough extra to justify getting the quick release tool post. What about the setup of the HF model as compared to the setup of the Grizzly? Is the HF model gonna drive me crazy trying to get it turning accuratley as compared to the Grizzly (or another brand), or are all metal lathes needing some intense adjusting to get it dialed in?