Grizzly G0462

[bitshird]

I was hoping to fimd some one who has one of these lathes and what their opinions are, I need a 3rd lathe and plan on using a duplicator on my HF lathe and still have a lathe to finish handles and drill them also get some recreational turning done like bowls, I think it's close to the 16 x 42 jet, but I'm just looking for honest opinions, so far my HF 12 x 333 has bee great, but now I'm branching into handles for my Woodchucks and really can't make money at 8 and 19 bucks so I bought a duplicator and it will go on the HF I think I like the 2 HP and the drives look like the reeves variable speed. also any idea what size the post of the tool rest is? is it 1 in. or 25 mm?
Thanks in advance for information, I'd get another HF if it had just a little more power, that has been my only issue with the one I have, 3/4 HP vs 2 HP 250.00 vs 600.00 HMMMMMM

 

[jimbob91577]

This is my lathe

I have one of these and it is a fairly good lathe for the price. It does have its problems though. The switch failed on me, but was replaced under warranty. The tachometer failed on me and I didn't bother to replace it because i frankly don't care what speed things are at, if it is dangerous, I slow the lathe down. The lever that locks the tool rest to the banjo has a spring in it. It stripped out. I JB Welded it and it works great. There are problems keeping the head and tail stock aligned perfectly, i've got shims under the headstock and check it before and after I turn something to make sure it hasn't come loose.

Other than those things, I've put probably 1500h on it since I got it in 2005. It will not be my last lathe, but it will be enough until I get my last lathe.

PM if you have more questions!

 

[JimB]

I have it as well. I don't get a lot of shop time but for the year I have had it I have been very happy. It is certaily much less expensive than the Jet. I use it for bowls, not spindle turning. The only 'problem' I've encounter was a few times when I put an out of round or out of balance bowl blank on it the vibration caused the headstock to come loose. ( it has a moveable rotating headstock) However, I consider this to be my fault as I probably should not have mounted these blanks in the first place knowing the minimum RPM is 600. They would have been OK at a slower RPM. I take more care to round my bowl blanks on the bandsaw now and have not had the problem since.

 

[jtpalmer]

I wish I hadn't!

I have that Grizzly lathe...i regret the purchase, frankly. I'm on my third belt and second motor pulley. I had to buy a aftermarket tool rest because the one that comes with it is no good. It has to be aligned regularly, but since the headstock swivels it is fairly easy to do. The locking knob for the tailstock does not stay locked. I've already had to replace the switch. The spindle is just enough too long that my chuck, cannot be tightened/closed completely without the end of the spindle getting in the way of the jaws. Plus, I just realized a week ago that the inside of the spindle is only about 5/8 in., which means for trying to drill blanks on the lathe I have to first turn them down to a little less than 5/8 in order to fit into the collet chuck. My wife keeps telling me to save my money and buy quality...I should listen to her more often!

 

[Minotbob]

I have one and like it. There are a couple things though. The tool rest post size is 25mm and you have to grind a little off of a 1" post to get an aftermarket tool rest to fit. Also there is no hand wheel on the headstock and no was to make one fit.