Grizzly Lathe??

**BlueCollarFab** · 11-02-2015 10:09 PM

I've been looking into bench top lathes, i want to invest in a moderate sized machine for around 1000$. does anybody have experience with Grizzly tools? they have a lathe that seems to fill my wants list.
Shop our G0768 - 8" x 16" Variable-Speed Lathe at Grizzly.com

**plkracer** · 11-02-2015 10:31 PM

I'll start off by saying that I have never had experience with a grizzly, but after using a similar size machine, bigger is definitely better. The little machines are too light to cut steel without chattering.

I would look for at least a 12x30, even though they are more expensive, the stiffness will dramatically increase.

**herman pahls** · 11-02-2015 11:21 PM

Go bigger as advised.
I have a 9" very old and worn out Southbend.
It will get the job done but way too slow, not enough power or heavy enough to not chatter.
A Machinist friend told me to buy the heaviest lathe you can afford assuming it is in good condition.

**millbilly** · 11-02-2015 11:31 PM

Smaller grizzly tools are junk.
Jet is better. I have been told Jet, Grizzly and Foremost are made in the same plant. Jet is the best off the line.
I have been in there show room, part are falling off displays.

**plkracer** · 11-02-2015 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by millbilly

Smaller grizzly tools are junk.
Jet is better. I have been told Jet, Grizzly and Foremost are made in the same plant. Jet is the best off the line.
I have been in there show room, part are falling off displays.

Ah, the joys of living near Bham!

A co worker of mine bought a "scratch and dent" lathe from their showroom that was supposedly tipped over. Looked like it was dropped from a boom truck, it was so far out of straight that it was basically useless.

**millbilly** · 11-03-2015 01:38 AM

I can't believe you picked Monroe to live.. HWY 2 must be a bitch to drive every day.I use to drive to Boeing in 45 minutes.. Now 1, 1 1/2 hours. Just off exit 240, Near Skagit Speedway.
The guy that owns Grizzly is paranoid, Has 1" thick bullet proof glass in his house. A big house. I know some of the guys that built it.
Must have screwed too many people over.

**plkracer** · 11-03-2015 10:05 AM

This place has really exploded in the past few years. It offered a lot more options for work in woodinville and the eastside compared to the i5 corridor. Which lazy b do you work at? Everett is only 35-40 minutes in the morning, maybe 45 on the way home??? I5 is the real problem.

**K-fab** · 11-03-2015 11:27 AM

The Jet line is better and like everyone says, go a bit bigger. The 12x30 is spot on. That size will handle what you're wanting to do.

**daaboots** · 11-12-2015 08:56 AM

I agree, go with a bigger option. My lathe is an old Colchester Student 12x24 lathe from the 1970's, and that size has worked well for all my projects so far. I've turned some pretty big stuff on the lathe!