Thread: don't everyone beat me up

just a question regaurding my choice of a lathe. i know what most will likely say "get a used sb" the problem is my knowledge of this field is at best a 1. so figured new at least its new and money issues. i like the grizzly 4003g for the price and really not knowing what the hell i'm doing just yet but thought it may be a good machine to start learning with. what is any of your thoughts. i still search for a great deal on a used machine like the sb but really havn't a clue. I do have an interest in someday biulding a .50bmg but am awear that i am a long way from that. just dont have the money to buy machine after machine expecially with the cost of tooling as i know will surpass the cost of any machine.....please let me know or point in right direction.....thanks rsupreme

Originally Posted by RSUPREME

... expecially with the cost of tooling as i know will surpass the cost of any machine....

That a compelling argument for a used machine if you can find one that is well tooled. I bought the old iron I did mostly because of the brand new top-jaw bison chuck that was on it. That and the steadies were there and it had a taper attachment. The taper attachment alone would have cost more that I paid for the lathe had I bought it separate; assuming I could have found one. But it's getting increasingly harder to find good old iron that's not clapped out; though they're out there. It takes patience and a willingness to travel. Given the ever dwindling supply of used old iron the import machines continue to look better and better. It's six of one, half dozen of the other.

If I were to buy an import machine I would skip the mail order crowd and talk to a brick and mortar machinery dealer about a tooling package. They're really hungry now and should be willing to give away the store to get a machine sold. I'd want a collet closer and a six-jaw, a set of collets and a nice work light. Maybe he could set it up with a VFD and a DRO then you'ld really be in chip heaven

Any advise is always good advise thank you randy. Hoping maybe to bump into someone here that has actually has used the 4003g by grizzly see what maybe they think about it hopefully before I order 1.

Do a search on this forum and you should find a bunch of posts about that lathe.

There are a number of folks who regularely post here and on the Bench Rest Central forum who have the Grizzly G4003g lathe and have used it to chamber a lot of rifles. One of them should show up any minute now.

I wouldn't be worried about buying one - I'm using a Taiwanese import I bought almost 20 years ago and it's working just fine. Grizzly isn't going anyplace, they stand behind their product, and they have parts.

Fitch

thanks for the reassurance fw I ruled out all other machines except the 4003g and birminghams 1340 got a quote the other day and if you add the options that the grizz comes with and the shipping costs it still makes the grizz a better buy. again being a novice, just not sure the quality differences between the 2. some guy in syracuse has listed an enco 13x40 on cl sais it's next to new 1500 firm, sounds appeiling but have not heard to many good things about enco.

I have an Enco 14 x 40. It is a good stong machine. There is a Yahoo "group" that specializes in import lathes. They discuss the many pros....and many cons of owning these machines. Finding a good older US machine shouldn't be hard in your neck of the woods.

I think the Birmingham 1236 is the same as a Grizzly 4003g except for the spindle size D1-4 verses D1-5. I'm happy with my 1236 Birmingham It will take a large a barrel through the head stock and it is a lot cheaper than a Grizzly.

If your knowledge level is realy at a 1, take a class at the local vo-tec.

Knowing how to run a machine is more important than the condition of the machine.
You can make crap on a beautiful new machine if you dont understand what the machine is trying to tell you. By the same token, an old clunker in the hands of a good machinest can still make good parts. Its faster and easier on the new machine, but the knowledge of how to set up and run a machine is as important as the machine itself.


Learning the in's and outs of a machine before buying one will save you money in the long run.

First, you get the benefit of a professionals knowledge- that will save you time learning how to set things up and you will pick up a lot of tricks not found in books. They will also teach you proper safety practices. Its easy to lose a finger on a lathe. That kind of loss is more expensive than the machine and tooling.

Second, you will get to make some parts at someone elses expense. They will start you out on projects of approprate complexity and help you through them - avoiding a lot of frustrating pitfalls. When things go wrong, someone will be able to guid you through diagnosis and correction of the problem.

Third, you will learn what tooling is important for certan operations, and not be inclined to buy widgets you dont need. There seems to be no limit to the number of widgets available to gunsmiths. Many are aimed at hobbyests or shops not equiped with lathes or mills. A good knowledge of machine shop practice will eliminate many unnecessary purchases.

Finaly, any Vo-tec instructior I have been around was into used machines and could steer you in the right direction. They will also know the best sources of tooling, new and used. This could save you a chunk of money.

A little instruction will pay big dividends.

Sounds like your mind was made up from the beginning. Are you really considering older, better machines, or are you looking for external validation for your decision?

You can get better machines for less money than the Grizzly, but if you searched then you already know that. It is stupid to compare a new Grizzly to a worn out lathe. That is just like comparing a cherry Monarch to the best Grizzly ever made. In both cases the former is better. Good machiens are out there, parts are out there, and all you have to do is look. If you really go through the Grizzly and try to get things up to snuff, then you will be sinking time and money into it on top of the purchase price.