Kiwi 'smith Dean
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2011
- Location
- Tauranga, New Zealand.
Hi Guys, just wondered if any of you could help me out with some info if you have used or own any of the following lathes:
Grizzly G0509G (Chinese) 16x40"
Turret RML-1440 (Taiwanese) (made by Shun Chuan company) 14x40"
I am professional gunsmithing, in NZ. (Grad CST in Colorado, 1997).
I know there are a bunch of threads of this site and Benchrest.com about this subject, but some of them are a little dated. I was just after some more up to date info.
Both machines have a 52mm (2") spindle bore. The G0509G has a standard spindle length through the headstock of about 20.5 inches. The Turret RML1440 has a spindle length of about 617mm (@25"), but there is a fair bit of excess that could be cut off, to bring it back to about 20", which would be preferrable. Just means running it with the end cover removed.....
I have seen some of the similar model Chinese machines here (sold under various names), and the tailstock wheel only seems to be graduated in metric, whereas most of the other dials seem to have dual/metric graduations. BUT, one revolution of the cross-slide on the chinese machines here seems to be about 0.197", not 0.200" as you would want/expect. No real biggy, but just a bug-bear. The tailstock graduations issue is another matter though for chambering, as I like to be able to use an accurate dial reading on the tailstock wheel for setting final chamber reaming depth.
Basically, I already own a good quality Taiwanese TD1340 with a 40mm (1 9/16" bore), so just want something with a slightly larger spindle bore, and really good high grade headstock bearings for the action truing and match barrel fitting that I am doing alot more of now than I was a few years ago. As this will be a second lathe, there is not much point buying something that is similar to or 'less than' what I already have now.
Has anyone out there had any dramas with the big Grizzly Chinese gunsmith lathe, or can shed any light on the dial situation? Maybe the machines made for the US market have different lead screws and cross slide/tailstock screws to the rest that are made for the 'metric' market?
Does anyone own one of the Taiwanese RML-1440 models for gunsmithing (or general machining work) and who can comment favourably or otherwise on how it has been for them?
It's a long way to get a lathe shipped to New Zealand, so I just want to be sure before I confirm my order, with which ever company I decide to run with.
I know a buch of guys over there must own the Grizzly 4003g (i think thats the number??) gunsmithing lathe, but if we could keep replies limited to experiences with the G0509G that would be appreciated.
What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Dean.
Grizzly G0509G (Chinese) 16x40"
Turret RML-1440 (Taiwanese) (made by Shun Chuan company) 14x40"
I am professional gunsmithing, in NZ. (Grad CST in Colorado, 1997).
I know there are a bunch of threads of this site and Benchrest.com about this subject, but some of them are a little dated. I was just after some more up to date info.
Both machines have a 52mm (2") spindle bore. The G0509G has a standard spindle length through the headstock of about 20.5 inches. The Turret RML1440 has a spindle length of about 617mm (@25"), but there is a fair bit of excess that could be cut off, to bring it back to about 20", which would be preferrable. Just means running it with the end cover removed.....
I have seen some of the similar model Chinese machines here (sold under various names), and the tailstock wheel only seems to be graduated in metric, whereas most of the other dials seem to have dual/metric graduations. BUT, one revolution of the cross-slide on the chinese machines here seems to be about 0.197", not 0.200" as you would want/expect. No real biggy, but just a bug-bear. The tailstock graduations issue is another matter though for chambering, as I like to be able to use an accurate dial reading on the tailstock wheel for setting final chamber reaming depth.
Basically, I already own a good quality Taiwanese TD1340 with a 40mm (1 9/16" bore), so just want something with a slightly larger spindle bore, and really good high grade headstock bearings for the action truing and match barrel fitting that I am doing alot more of now than I was a few years ago. As this will be a second lathe, there is not much point buying something that is similar to or 'less than' what I already have now.
Has anyone out there had any dramas with the big Grizzly Chinese gunsmith lathe, or can shed any light on the dial situation? Maybe the machines made for the US market have different lead screws and cross slide/tailstock screws to the rest that are made for the 'metric' market?
Does anyone own one of the Taiwanese RML-1440 models for gunsmithing (or general machining work) and who can comment favourably or otherwise on how it has been for them?
It's a long way to get a lathe shipped to New Zealand, so I just want to be sure before I confirm my order, with which ever company I decide to run with.
I know a buch of guys over there must own the Grizzly 4003g (i think thats the number??) gunsmithing lathe, but if we could keep replies limited to experiences with the G0509G that would be appreciated.
What would you recommend?
Thanks,
Dean.