Sherline, Grizzly, Harbor Freight Sieg lathe

[twocik]

Hello,
I'm having a little trouble trying to decide on which is the best lathe for the dollar and is ready to go right out of the box (no modifying)?


1. Sherline

http://www.sherlinedirect.com/merchant.cfm?pid=1&step=4

2. Grizzly

http://grizzly.com/products/G8688

3. Seig

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93212

[twocik]

Anybody?

[DonF]

4. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44859
look for the 15% Cupon online from time to time and special order from a HF store. I got mine for $468 with no shipping charge. Dont take my word for it as I havent got the time yet. Look here ->
http://www.annisquamgranite.com/8x12ReviewPg1.htm
http://cnczone.com/modules.php?name=...ewarticle&id=6

[Compudaw]

I really don't know anything about these lathes. What I can tell you is you get what you pay for, and these lathes are cheep. I would look for a good quality used lathe.

[DonF]

Originally Posted by Compudaw I really don't know anything about these lathes. What I can tell you is you get what you pay for, and these lathes are cheep. I would look for a good quality used lathe.

Oh here we go again.... China / low cost = junk, but 100 year old USA lathe that is worn out and too heavy to move without a forklift = Good. Have you ever turned a 8x12 on and taken a cut - you might be suprised?? Will it work for everything - no - but niether will a craiglist special. I had one - luckly I didnt loose too much when I sold it to the scrap steel yard.

[twocik]

I'm really leaning towards the grizzly, but wasn't sure if this is the right one to go with. I've heard nothing but good things about it, but haven't heard anything from people that actually use it everyday.

This machine is going to be for smaller work, handles, prototype cylinder work, etc.. I'll mostly be turning aluminum (6061), polymer, nylon. Now I've also heard nothing but great stuff about the sherline, but wasn't sure if it could handle 6061 aluminum.


Anyone else? Monday is my deadline.

[Compudaw]

I’ve look at all three lathes, online of course. The sherline looks like a lathe that people use to turn pen blanks not really for metal (I have one or something similar) I would scratch that one. The other two may use an electronic speed control. This makes it easy and fast to reduce speed, but you loose tork. At low speeds it may stall on you.
I bought a $500 grizzly milling machine about a year ago and it broke. The drive gears where made of nylon. It’s been over a month and I am still waiting for the parts.
I have bought tools from harbor freight in the past and have had it arrived DOA. I am just bitter on inexpensive tools.
I own an old atlas lathe that works quite well. I had to replace the bearings and tune it up but every thing on it is metal.
What ever you decide let use know how it works.

[DonF]

Originally Posted by Compudaw I’ve look at all three lathes, online of course. The sherline looks like a lathe that people use to turn pen blanks not really for metal (I have one or something similar) I would scratch that one. The other two may use an electronic speed control. This makes it easy and fast to reduce speed, but you loose tork. At low speeds it may stall on you. I bought a $500 grizzly milling machine about a year ago and it broke. The drive gears where made of nylon. It’s been over a month and I am still waiting for the parts. I have bought tools from harbor freight in the past and have had it arrived DOA. I am just bitter on inexpensive tools. I own an old atlas lathe that works quite well. I had to replace the bearings and tune it up but every thing on it is metal. What ever you decide let use know how it works.

Sounds like your making your own troubles - to order is a click away
Here look here for your stonger gears and other cool items
http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...ory=1070498684
Or maybe this for your mill - http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...ProductID=2560
This mini lathe has them from the seller
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...oduct&ID=82710

Harbor Freight stuff - yes I have had troubles too, but when that happened I turned right around and drove the 5 minutes back to the store returns are no problem. HF buys items from many companies so if you do your reseach and make smart choices it can turn out just as good or better as buying from other stores

[twocik]

So what do you guys think. Is the grizzly cheaply made just like the HF seig lathe?

[DonF]

Originally Posted by twocik So what do you guys think. Is the grizzly cheaply made just like the HF seig lathe?

You do realize they are both Seig made machines with mostly the same parts correct?

[twocik]

They look almost the same, but had no idea they were. Well I guess that about sums it up, I'll go for the HF for now.

[DonF]

http://www.mini-lathe.com/

This should help you a little look at the versions page - It explains the 7x stuff fairly well. Its blurbs about the 8x12/14 is not even close to correct though.

If you do get a 7x... http://www.littlemachineshop.com/Inf...UsersGuide.pdf

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/pro...php?category=1