Metalworking Want

Lathes

Metal Lathes

Cost	Make	Model	Weight	Dimensions	Size	Motor	Imp/Metric LeadScrew	Feed	Locks	Accessories	Gearbox	Spindle
$4995 + $425	Grizzly	G4003 manual	1020#	61Wx23Dx23H	12x36	2 HP, 220V, single-phase, 8.5A	imp	yes	yes	steady/follow rest	flame-hardened steel	D1 camlock, 1 5/8 spindle bore
$2570 + $449	Grizzly	G9972Z manual	560#	51Wx23Dx19H	11x26	1 HP, 110V, single-phase	imp	yes	yes	steady/follow rest, deluxe stand	steel	screw on, 25mm spindle bore
$5150 + $575	Grizzly	G0949G spec	772#	56Wx30.5Dx63H	12x35	1.5HP, 110V, single-phase	imp	yes	yes	steady/follow rest, stand, digital speed	flame-hardened steel	D1 camlock,. 1.5 spindle bore
$5995 + $425	Grizzly	G4003G manual	1022#	61Wx26X54.5H	12x36	2 HP, 220V, single-phase, 8.5	imp	yes	yes	steady/follow rest	flame-hardened steel	D1 camlock, 1 5/8 spindle bore
$1995 + $249	Grizzly	G0602 manual
$2799 + $330	Precision Matthews	PM1022V manual	425#	23Wx52Lx23H	10x22	Variable Speed Brushless DC Motor	both	yes	yes
$4568.99 + $330	Precision Matthews	PM-1228VF-LB manual	490#	49Hx26Wx59-1/4L	12x28	Variable Speed Brushless DC Motor	both	yes	yes
$4269 + $0	JET	BDB-929 [manual]	287#	51 x 22 x 20 inches	9x29	3/4HP, 1Ph 115V	?	yes	yes	steady/follow rest	induction-hardened steel	3/4" spindle bore
$9039 + $0	JET	GHB-1340A manual	1155#	79 x 30 x 28.5 inches	13x40	2HP, 1Ph 230V	?	yes	yes	steady/follow rest	induction-hardened steel	1 3/8 spindle bore

Infinitely helpful: Youtube

Motor

Brushless DC is better - small, light yet more powerful, speed control for free.

Powerfeed

In order to enable power feed, cheap solutions clamp down on the lead screw to generate the feed, but the disadvantage is this wears out the lead screw. RPM of lead screw controlled by transmission, gearbox, quick change gears etc. pulling power off the spindle. Since there's limited space in gearbox for change gears, lathes that power the lead screw off the spindle often run too fast to cut threads easily. Expensive solutions add a second lead screw and power it separately. The middle ground is to have a keyway in the leadscrew (a notch that runs the length of the threaded rod), and tap power from the leadscrew using gearing inside the carriage. Power Cross-Feed is a feature that powers the carriage motion across the cutting area. It's enabled via a clutch on the carriage. These lathes should have a power feed clutch lever and a half-nut lever. Check the manual for all the feeding options.

Slide Locks

Good lathes should have carriage locks, cross side locks and compound locks, which are easy to adjust. Everything that moves in the carriage should be lockable. Being able to lock things you are not using to increase rigidity is huge with small lathes. Check the manual for a listing of all the locks.

Accessories

A good steady rest and follow rest are essential. Alura-style quick change tool post is a plus.

Gearbox

Expensive lathes allow a lot of configuration within the gearbox. Cheaper lathes make you use change gears to get the configurations. Some change gears are plastic, some metal. The highest end have polished, machined metal gears. Mid grade are often forged metal gears that need to be de-burred, polished to use. Check the manual to make sure the change gears can be setup to do the thread cutting you want to do.

Spindle

The spindle bearings are very essential. Zero-maintenance sealed bearings are expected. Chuck mounting system is important - a D1 Cam Lock mount is the best. Check the manual to see what the chuck mounting system is. Some are awful. Changing the chucks should be quick and easy.

Mills

Metal Mills

Cost	Make	Model	Weight	Dimensions	Size	Motor