I currently have 2 older lathes that need some work done on them before using it for chambering guns and was thinking of selling them and buying a grizzly g0709 gunsmithing lathe with dro do you think this would be very good for what i would be spending approx $5800.00
Gunsmithing New lathe question
- Thread starter citabria
- Start date
Re: New lathe question
They are really pretty nice but i want a dro and coolant pump and i could sell both of those and buy a new lathe with everything already on it and have money left over for gun parts. I really dont use the lathes so i think the grizzly would be pretty good for light work for my own personal use.
They are really pretty nice but i want a dro and coolant pump and i could sell both of those and buy a new lathe with everything already on it and have money left over for gun parts. I really dont use the lathes so i think the grizzly would be pretty good for light work for my own personal use.
Re: New lathe question
As stated its really your decision, but I feel your would be taking a serious step back. The Leblond is/was probably one of the best American made lathes and if in good condition a true gem. The Yam I believe was made in Korea or Taiwan and has many of the features of the Mori Seiki engine lathe although not an American made machine is a very good import as far as imports go. The Grizzly will just not compare in terms of design, robustness, mass, and just plain turning power.
With a little ingenuity a coolant pump can be added to either along with DRO's. Both of the lathes have fairly long headstocks so barreling through the headstock will be a little tougher but can still be done with the right tooling.
As stated its really your decision, but I feel your would be taking a serious step back. The Leblond is/was probably one of the best American made lathes and if in good condition a true gem. The Yam I believe was made in Korea or Taiwan and has many of the features of the Mori Seiki engine lathe although not an American made machine is a very good import as far as imports go. The Grizzly will just not compare in terms of design, robustness, mass, and just plain turning power.
With a little ingenuity a coolant pump can be added to either along with DRO's. Both of the lathes have fairly long headstocks so barreling through the headstock will be a little tougher but can still be done with the right tooling.
Re: New lathe question
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: citabria</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I currently have 2 older lathes that need some work done on them before using it for chambering guns and was thinking of selling them and buying a grizzly g0709 gunsmithing lathe with dro do you think this would be very good for what i would be spending approx $5800.00 </div></div>
Probably should have asked actual owners for a personal experience than for general opinions from the board.
The G0509G would be a real good choice for heavy duty work and used by many top Gunsmiths in this country. The price is higher, but a superb machine. We have one that is basically new, but the tailstock is .014" higher. If you have a way of lowering that, can make you a great deal on it.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: citabria</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I currently have 2 older lathes that need some work done on them before using it for chambering guns and was thinking of selling them and buying a grizzly g0709 gunsmithing lathe with dro do you think this would be very good for what i would be spending approx $5800.00 </div></div>
Probably should have asked actual owners for a personal experience than for general opinions from the board.
The G0509G would be a real good choice for heavy duty work and used by many top Gunsmiths in this country. The price is higher, but a superb machine. We have one that is basically new, but the tailstock is .014" higher. If you have a way of lowering that, can make you a great deal on it.
Re: New lathe question
Believe it or not, Grizzly actually is pretty decent for a gunsmith lathe.
I say go for it (and keep the Leblond)!
Believe it or not, Grizzly actually is pretty decent for a gunsmith lathe.
I say go for it (and keep the Leblond)!
Re: New lathe question
Im sure the griz is a fine machine, and there are many satisfied customers and I have no doubt you could build some very fine rifles on them. My thought is if you already have the lathes, they are in good shape and suited to your needs why trade em off. Its always a PIA to move equipment around and the machines you have are damn fine pcs of iron. I would add the features you want to lathe you have and call it good. I recently installed a DRO to my lathe and I love it. High pressure flush is in the works now. Good Luck
BTW it does not suck to have two lathes. I hate it when you get something all dialed in and then you realize you forgot to make a widget or fitting and you have to break the set up. I had two lathes until recently when I sold the larger one in an attempt to get two identical machines, still looking for the replacement.
Im sure the griz is a fine machine, and there are many satisfied customers and I have no doubt you could build some very fine rifles on them. My thought is if you already have the lathes, they are in good shape and suited to your needs why trade em off. Its always a PIA to move equipment around and the machines you have are damn fine pcs of iron. I would add the features you want to lathe you have and call it good. I recently installed a DRO to my lathe and I love it. High pressure flush is in the works now. Good Luck
BTW it does not suck to have two lathes. I hate it when you get something all dialed in and then you realize you forgot to make a widget or fitting and you have to break the set up. I had two lathes until recently when I sold the larger one in an attempt to get two identical machines, still looking for the replacement.
Re: New lathe question
The gunsmith that is teaching me how to chamber guns (Gordy Gritters) suggested the grizzly lathes and that is what i was going on for advice. One of the reasons i was think of the grizzly is that i could pick it up in springfield missouri about four hours away and save some shipping. The LeBlond is a nice machine but it is just so big. As for the g0509g that sounds good but i want something that is true and ready to go with minimal setup, as i am fairly inexperienced and that would be a big headache for me. And it is those issues i have with my other two lathes why i want a new one. Any other advice would be grately appriciated. I was wanting to get something within the next 3 months because i was going to gordys for some more training. Do you guys think a G0509 would be a lot better than a G0709, or do you have a different lathe in mind. The thing is i wont use it buy for a dozen rifles a year and i dont want a used greasy turd for a lathe. I have a nice professionl looking shop and i dont have time to tinker with a lathe to be able to use it.
The gunsmith that is teaching me how to chamber guns (Gordy Gritters) suggested the grizzly lathes and that is what i was going on for advice. One of the reasons i was think of the grizzly is that i could pick it up in springfield missouri about four hours away and save some shipping. The LeBlond is a nice machine but it is just so big. As for the g0509g that sounds good but i want something that is true and ready to go with minimal setup, as i am fairly inexperienced and that would be a big headache for me. And it is those issues i have with my other two lathes why i want a new one. Any other advice would be grately appriciated. I was wanting to get something within the next 3 months because i was going to gordys for some more training. Do you guys think a G0509 would be a lot better than a G0709, or do you have a different lathe in mind. The thing is i wont use it buy for a dozen rifles a year and i dont want a used greasy turd for a lathe. I have a nice professionl looking shop and i dont have time to tinker with a lathe to be able to use it.
Re: New lathe question
I was in a similar situation several years ago. The bed on my LeBlond was in need of grinding and the screws were showing some wear. I spoke with a company that does that sort of work and got a quote. After changing my underwear, I ordered a G0509 and a DRO.
I sold the LeBlond to a farmer who wanted to repair his own equipment. I have no regrets.
The only problem I had with the Grizzly is that the coolant pump motor only lasted a few hours. I'm sure they would have taken care of it, I just never got around to contacting them about it cuz I had an old pump on hand. I have quite a few hours on the machine now and have had no other problems.
I helped a friend make a 30mm ring lapping bar on it a few months ago. It was 14 inches long and the diameter varied no more than a couple ten thousandths over the entire length. That works for me. Dialing in barrels to 1 or 2 ten thousandths runout is no problem at all.
I was in a similar situation several years ago. The bed on my LeBlond was in need of grinding and the screws were showing some wear. I spoke with a company that does that sort of work and got a quote. After changing my underwear, I ordered a G0509 and a DRO.
I sold the LeBlond to a farmer who wanted to repair his own equipment. I have no regrets.
The only problem I had with the Grizzly is that the coolant pump motor only lasted a few hours. I'm sure they would have taken care of it, I just never got around to contacting them about it cuz I had an old pump on hand. I have quite a few hours on the machine now and have had no other problems.
I helped a friend make a 30mm ring lapping bar on it a few months ago. It was 14 inches long and the diameter varied no more than a couple ten thousandths over the entire length. That works for me. Dialing in barrels to 1 or 2 ten thousandths runout is no problem at all.
Re: New lathe question
I've been running lathes on a daily basis since 1977. I've run LeBlond, Lodge & Shipley, South Bend, Victor, AcraTurn, Goodway, Feeler, Hardinge, and probably a couple others. I needed a new lathe 8 years ago and after a tremendous amount of searching i bought an Acra-Namseon 1640. I do some gunsmith and silencer work, but also alot of production turning as well. It is the best lathe I have ever run and it's made in....Korea. There are alot of good lathes out there and don't let the "Buy American" thing keep you from trying something.
RonA
I've been running lathes on a daily basis since 1977. I've run LeBlond, Lodge & Shipley, South Bend, Victor, AcraTurn, Goodway, Feeler, Hardinge, and probably a couple others. I needed a new lathe 8 years ago and after a tremendous amount of searching i bought an Acra-Namseon 1640. I do some gunsmith and silencer work, but also alot of production turning as well. It is the best lathe I have ever run and it's made in....Korea. There are alot of good lathes out there and don't let the "Buy American" thing keep you from trying something.
RonA
Re: New lathe question
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: citabria</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Do you guys think a G0509 would be a lot better than a G0709, or do you have a different lathe in mind. </div></div>
Just so you know up front, the G0509G is 3 phase and the G0709 is single phase.
Weight, stablity and no vibration (on mine) are the main advantages of the G0509G. Three phase motors create less vibration than single phase. Gordy actually demoed the G0509G at the SHOT show for two years in a row. That was my machine that's sitting in my shop at home. I have access to many lathes costing more than twice that amount, but this one will do just fine. FYI - I also have a 13 x 40 toolroom lathe sitting next to it that I use regularly, but when I want critical tolerances, I go with the G0509G. I have a Rotary phase converter sitting in a dog house outside. PM me if you have an interest in a G0509G.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: citabria</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Do you guys think a G0509 would be a lot better than a G0709, or do you have a different lathe in mind. </div></div>
Just so you know up front, the G0509G is 3 phase and the G0709 is single phase.
Weight, stablity and no vibration (on mine) are the main advantages of the G0509G. Three phase motors create less vibration than single phase. Gordy actually demoed the G0509G at the SHOT show for two years in a row. That was my machine that's sitting in my shop at home. I have access to many lathes costing more than twice that amount, but this one will do just fine. FYI - I also have a 13 x 40 toolroom lathe sitting next to it that I use regularly, but when I want critical tolerances, I go with the G0509G. I have a Rotary phase converter sitting in a dog house outside. PM me if you have an interest in a G0509G.
