Grizzly Lathe

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BKelley

Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
891
Location
Tucker, Georgia, 30084
I have just recieved my Grizzly 7x12 mini lathe. I've gotten it cleaned up and played with it a little. Had a little shipping damage to the chip pan, but nothing real bad. Grizzly is going to replace the pan. My question is: I will be using it in addition to my Jet mini wood lathe to turn pens, what accessories should I purchase? Any help will be appreciated
 
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First of all.... DITCH the chip tray all together, and bolt the lathe onto your workbench. This made ALL the difference in mine. It helps to reduce vibration / movement, and chattering.

Go to littlemachineshop.com and purchase their mini-lathe starter set with the quick change tool post. It comes with all of the tooling you'll need to get started, and the QCTP makes working on the small machine a pleasure rather than a chore.

On the QCTP you'll only need to set your tools to center height ONCE per tool holder. If you use the standard tool post, every time you change bits, you will need to center them (adjust the height so that the tip of the tool is a dead center on your work piece).

3rd - read one of the many articles out there about setting up your new machine. Out of the box, these small lathes really stink. Once you have them dialed in, however, it is a totally different ball game. It took me 2 weeks just to get everything dialed in for the first time. Now that it is, I haven't even touched my wood lathe other than for sanding / finishing.
 
Wow, how do you like it, is that model #G9247 thats the one I was looking at, the girlfriend said she would get it for me for Christmas so the gears started to turn, so if she was gonna get it why not match her and upgrade, so now I'm gonna get model #G0657 10" x 16" Heavy-Duty Benchtop, I am useing my SS Mark 5 for now don't get me wrong it works great variable speed but just to much machine for just pens,,..
 
Jaybird,

Nope, mine is just the little mini 7x12. I spent the better part of two days tuning it up. Today I turned two pens on it and was extremely well pleased with the lathe.
There are several changes I would make in the design, like the off/on switches, and I would perfer a threaded spindle. Them Chinese didn't consult me on the design so I'll be happy with the way things are. Like I said it does a great job on pens and that is what it was purchased for. Good luck with the girl friend. You might mention to her that the Jet 9x20 is an excellent choice!!
 
Did you order a QCTP yet? It makes all the difference in the world! I got the A2Z one, and it's completely awesome! I know that its' a bit expensive, but it's worth every penny.

The one thing that kills me about the standard tool post on the 7x... mini-lathes is that they don't accomadate a parting tool without an adapter (which of course doesn't come with the lathe).

Another handy little device that I forgot to mention in my previous post is a wood-turning tool post adapter. There are a fwe on the market, but I got mine from the same vendor (litlemachineshop.com). It bolts right on to the carriage, and with this litle addition makes your mini-lathe that much more versatile. You no longer realy need a wood-lathe at all. Whenever I have to hand-cut a complex shape or curve, I just bolt that litle adapter on, and it's good to go!
 
Chad,

Will order the QCTP first thing Monday morning. Yes the A2Z is the proper one for the little 7x12. In addition I will also order a knurling tool plus holder. For the present I will keep my chip pan as I plan to cut some threads in cold roll steel and the chip pan will help contain the cutting oil. As for wood, I will continue to use the Jet for wood. also to sand and polish arcylics. Will keep you posted on my progress. Thanks for the tips and info.
 
Yeah I would love to get a "Jet" but fixed income I'm pushing the limit just to spend $325, I know thats not all that much but I'm really trying to forwaed and all I will need to turn with,,, as good Collet, better set of chisels, plus she seen me watching youtube and someone making rings so now I have to order the Collet system from PSI for that & other things of corse,

If I could talk her into letting me sell my RC Buggy "1/8 scale Ofna PCR Nitro Buggy" I think I could get all the extra for the lathe,, lol,, almost have her talked into it,,
 
Go to littlemachineshop.com and read everything. This is the lathe I have. Don't get hung up on too many accessories until you really start using it and understanding what you need and like in the machine. You can spend a ton so use what you have for a while then start bulking up your accessory inventory.
 
Along with the QCTP, I would get the M3 collet chuck with as many collets as you can afford. I think I have the full 18 set plus a few extras. Use them all the time. I also got a few M2 to M3 adapters so I could use my M2 centers. Also an M2 drill chuck for the tail stock for drilling on the lathe. 800watt on ebay usually has the best price for a set.

You can also go to USE-ENCO and get some tool blanks. They're less than a dollar each. You'd be surprised how often you may want to grind a special tool. I find they cut better than the cheap carbide tools although I do use both.
 
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