Getting ready to purchase a lathe...

[dneisler]

I am wanting to purchase a lathe and I can't find and decent old iron around my area I can afford.

So I am thinking...G0602 or PM1030V

Any thoughts, or suggestions to help me figure out which to get.

[cornbinder23]

I would go with the G0602 as they appear to be very similar but the G0602 has the 1" spindle bore.

JTCUSTOMS

[dneisler]

That is what I was thinking too. Then buying a HF 42" tool chest to put it on like others have. Just trying to make sure I get the best I can for what money I have. I would love to step up to a 12" but just can't get the funds.

[garyMc]

I too am looking to purchase a lathe. Do you know if the G0602 has power cross feed?

Thanks, Gary

[RTTIM]

I too am looking to purchase a lathe. Do you know if the G0602 has power cross feed?

Thanks, Gary

No it does not. You might take a look at the PM1030, but you're looking at another $400-$600.

[garyMc]

Thanks RTTIM. I've been looking at lathes for the past few days to the point I'm getting burned out. I think I am going to order the Bolton CQ9336. For 2295.00 and have a DRO installed. That is a great price for a 12x36 and it includes a stand and collant system. Shipping is $350.00. This is probably way too much lathe for me but after all my research this seems to be the most bang for the buck.

Haven't heard anything negative about them or their lathes and they were very helpful when I spoke with them on the phone.

Sorry dneisler for hijacking your post.

Thanks, Gary

[ninefinger]

Thanks RTTIM. I've been looking at lathes for the past few days to the point I'm getting burned out. I think I am going to order the Bolton CQ9336. For 2295.00 and have a DRO installed. That is a great price for a 12x36 and it includes a stand and collant system. Shipping is $350.00. This is probably way too much lathe for me but after all my research this seems to be the most bang for the buck.

Haven't heard anything negative about them or their lathes and they were very helpful when I spoke with them on the phone.

Sorry dneisler for hijacking your post.

Thanks, Gary

Garry,

The Bolton lathe isn't really bang for your buck, even if only comparing it to smaller lathes - note that it has lots of "shortcomings" compared to other lathes. No 4 jaw chuck, no face plate, no steady or follow rest (all extra charge), no quick change threading gearbox and most other 12x36 lathes this size have a D1-4 spindle nose for easy chuck changes.
Bolton get the low price by selling as extra all the pieces that are standard for everybody else and cutting a few corners (spindle nose and QC thread gearbox)

just keeping you informed...

Mike

[RTTIM]

Thanks RTTIM. I've been looking at lathes for the past few days to the point I'm getting burned out. I think I am going to order the Bolton CQ9336. For 2295.00 and have a DRO installed. That is a great price for a 12x36 and it includes a stand and collant system. Shipping is $350.00. This is probably way too much lathe for me but after all my research this seems to be the most bang for the buck.

Haven't heard anything negative about them or their lathes and they were very helpful when I spoke with them on the phone.

Sorry dneisler for hijacking your post.

Thanks, Gary

Gary,

I understand your frustration. There are lots of possibilities out there, and Mike makes some good points.What are you going to use it for?

Tim

[garyMc]

Thanks Mike. As Tim said, your points are valid. I have recently gotten into building small steam engines. I know I could do what I need to do with an 8x24 lathe but all people I have spoken with recommend I get nothing smaller than a 12x36. This is probably good advice.

I would have already placed an order for the Grizzly G4003G but they told me it would probably be sometime in Sept before I can get one. So I thought I would look around for other options. They have the G4003 in stock but for basically the same money you can get the G4003G, which has several improvements. At this point I'm not sure what to do.

Thanks,

Gary

[ninefinger]

I'm in Canada so my shopping choices are a bit limited but if your interested in 12x36 lathes have a look at my spreadsheet I did for my shopping purposes (you can also ignore the exchange rate although right now everything is almost par)

I hope it helps a bit with 12x36 lathe shopping - its not all inclusive as I dropped lathes that didn't meet my personal criteria of a D1-?? nose etc like the Bolton lathe.

(my apologies to dneisler for hijacking as this is a bit larger than he says he can afford)

I ended up ordering the PM1236 with preferred package as I wanted the foot brake. I'm still waiting to receive it (April sometime..)

Mike

[garyMc]

Thanks Mike, that really helps. Tomorrow I will order either the PM 1236 or the Grizzly G4003G.

Thanks, Gary

[dneisler]

Hey, I can dream and maybe win the lottery :-)