Grizzly G0768 (8 x 16) or G9972Z (11 x 26) Lathes?

[Danuzzo]

Wondering if anyone has used one or both of these 2 lathes. If so, opinions on how you like them would be appreciated.

 

[RM-MN]

Such different lathes that it is unlikely that a person would have used both of them. Decide how large of items you intend to turn, then choose a lathe that can handle that size. That choice would be tempered by how much space you have for it and how you would handle the weight getting it into that space.

 

[johnl]

I have a G9972Z. It has been very useable, but like most of these lathes it is also a work in progress.

 

[Danuzzo]

Thanks johnl. The only thing about the specs that bothers me with the G9972z is the low speed only going down to 150rpm. Have you run into any issues with not being able to do less than 150rpm, on large diameter stock or when threading?

Also, could you elaborate on the "work in progress" comment?

 

[johnl]

A lower spindle speed would be nice but it hasn’t held me back yet for turning. Concerning threading it’s usually too fast. I made a hand crank that attaches to the back end of the spindle for the situations that require slower speed.
By work in progress I meant that these machines always need some adjustments or tweaking (gibs or bearing adjustments etc.) out of the box to improve their performance.
I am happy with this machine, so far it has been able to do any job I have required.

 

[Danuzzo]

Thanks, johnl.

PM sent.

 

[Richard Hed]

Thanks johnl. The only thing about the specs that bothers me with the G9972z is the low speed only going down to 150rpm. Have you run into any issues with not being able to do less than 150rpm, on large diameter stock or when threading?

Also, could you elaborate on the "work in progress" comment?

Whoa? 150 rpm? I thot my Enco at 130 was bad. For cutting threads, if you have limited space, which happens often, that speed is WAY too fast. I had to put a wheel on the spindle to cut threads becasue it was too fast and I could cut the threads with a hand wheel. Also, if you ever need left hand threads, make sure this will do it.

 

[almega]

After viewing the manual of the G9972Z, it appears it may be possible to make some modifications to the drive end by changing pulleys to get lower rpms at the spindle for threading. This would take a little engineering and calculation but should be able to be accomplished if you have the desire to do it. By adding a second pulley set to my old Logan I was able to get another range of useful speeds. It would make an interesting project. Though I don't have either lathe, I would chose the G9972Z for the larger swing, making larger flywheels possible and the larger spindle bore to allow larger longer shafts to pass through the headstock.

 

[johnl]

Also, if you ever need left hand threads, make sure this will do it.

I built a reverse tumbler for this lathe to cut left handed threads. It was an easy project.

 

[Richard Hed]

I built a reverse tumbler for this lathe to cut left handed threads. It was an easy project.

Yes, I've never done it but I imagine it would be relatively easy. Thing is, with the Enco which is really a krappy lathe to begin with, why bother? the threads are difficutl to make under even the best of conditions. I have a Grizz now, with which thread cutting is like cutting hot butter with a hot knife.

 

[Danuzzo]

Richard, which "Grizz" do you have now?

 

[Richard Hed]

Richard, which "Grizz" do you have now?

G4003G. Mark has the same one. Maybe others do too. I wanted one that could do larger stuff and of course the smaller stuff too with less trouble. So far it has been a jewel. The only real complaint I have is that they discontinued the "cut out" on the ways-- for short larger diameter pieces--for get what it is called but hardly anybody ever uses them. It isn't that they discontinued it, rather the prob is that the internal ways which the tail stock resides on is shortened to the "cut off " point. I needed them already to be about 2" longer for a steady rest on one project. I managed. One of the jaws on the 4 jaw was also improperly made--currently negotiating a new one.

PS, even metric threads are easy.

 

[Danuzzo]

Nice lathe, Richard.

 

[Richard Hed]

Nice lathe, Richard.

I recommend it, -- so far -- I have only had it for two months. Give me a year and see if I still thimpfk it is nice. Right now I have a 1" piece of steel that I cut out of a larger piece with band saw. it was square, had to cut the corners off making 8 high spots. It is a bear to cut down, keeps coming out of the 3Jaw as I cut it down to a diameter about 6". I tried .030 (diameter not radial) which was too much for this horrible interrupted cut. Then I tried .020--still too much so now .010. It's still a bear but at least it itsn't slipping out of the chuck. It's going to take at least half a day I thimpfk. I needed a rest so here I am replying.

 

[Danuzzo]

Wish I had the space for a G4003G.

 

[Richard Hed]

Wish I had the space for a G4003G.

Ah, that's another thing, space. This summer I was trying to buy an American Tools lathe, it was pretty old, probably the 30's. It was 3ph, and 440 V. I would have paid the company I was working for 400$ but they put it up for auction. It went for 150$. I thimpfk they did this on purpose, one of the managers is one of those people who likes to hurt puppies, if you get my drift. Anyway the American was 7-1/2 feet long, rusty and extremely heavy. Lots of work to fix it up. I'm glad I didn't waste my time with it. Even tho' you don't have space, if you are looking for a lathe, I would really try to make space for it. Can you kick your wife out of bedroom and put it there? Always a way to do it.

 

[Danuzzo]

If I suggested that to my wife, I would be single thereafter .

 

[almega]

There you go problem solved. Nah, that would probably be so expensive that you couldn't afford a lathe at all.

If I suggested that to my wife, I would be single thereafter .

 

[almega]

I have been drooling over the G4003G for a while. I have been doing the same thing as Richard Hed to make flywheels and I was thinking it would be easier on the Grizzly, having more horsepower than my Logan 400. I start with 1 inch thick A36 steel squares, lop off the corners and center it up in the 4-jaw chuck of my little Logan. It takes a while but it does get done. I start by nicking off .005 at a time, which allows each pass to go pretty quickly, at least more than twice as fast as taking a .010 cut. Once it is more rounded, I do move up to .010 and it seems to work okay. This is a lot cheaper than buying 6" rounds and I have more time than money. I did discover that using copious amounts of cutting oil helps the process immensely. I guess I will have to keep drooling for now because I think a new lathe will be a hard sell at the moment in my house.

 

[almega]

BTW - Richard Hed, you should not use a 3-Jaw chuck for this but rather a 4-Jaw to securely hold it for turning. I don't have any issue with the pieces coming loose using a 4-Jaw chuck.