Why no small high-quality lathes?

I think you might be reading a bit more into my post than I intended. What I'm interested in here are two questions: Are PM machines made by Weiss, and whether Weiss is going to increase their
presence in the US market. The fact that I copied something from their website doesn't mean I believe everything they say. I'm not that naive. I'm also aware of the pitfalls of buying
products from China, which was a major factor in my decision to buy a Logan rather than a Chinese machine, and the reason I almost never buy Chinese tools.
What does appear to be true is that they have a dealer here in the US: http://www.dropros.com, and unless their website is wrong, they have some sort of office in Florida. I've also gotten the impression that people who have bought PM machines are pretty happy with their quality. If they are, in fact, Weiss machines, and Weiss expands their presence in the US, that would provide an alternative to Jet, Grizzly etc. which I think would be of interest here
on the forum.

Weiss machines are Chinese not Taiwanese, they may be involved with the Chinese made PM machines I don't know. however the better quality PM machines such as the well known Pm 1340 that are made in Taiwan are made in the same factory as Liang Dei machines. I'm not sure if Liang Dei has any direct presence in US but they do appear to be available in Canada.
 
Wow I can't believe this thread is still going 5 years later. . It began and still is as a very legitimate query however after seeing so many good reasonable options suggested and cast aside its fairly certain we will look until eternity and not find one that checks every single box on an extremely long list of requirements. It's economics pure and simple.
I do understand the frustration tho. I had a somewhat similar list when I was in the market looking and thank my lucky stars the day I found and purchased my baby 11"x30 colchester. My next choice would probably be the used HLVH or the Taiwanese variant PM.
Keith I know you said space was limited but seriously, if you cannot squeeze out a 3x5 space by removing a toolbox, drill press some other misc junk it must be a closet workspace were talking about. Assuming you are still looking do you have a list of 2 or 3 potential candidates that come close??
Other than its not new and the 27"x 62" footprint, it meets every other requirement so I still say you should keep an eye out for one of these
941c48888f3e81dae7d9dac09b09d0ec.jpg
 
Wow I can't believe this thread is still going 5 years later. . It began and still is as a very legitimate query however after seeing so many good reasonable options suggested and cast aside its fairly certain we will look until eternity and not find one that checks every single box on an extremely long list of requirements. It's economics pure and simple.
I do understand the frustration tho. I had a somewhat similar list when I was in the market looking and thank my lucky stars the day I found and purchased my baby 11"x30 colchester. My next choice would probably be the used HLVH or the Taiwanese variant PM.
Keith I know you said space was limited but seriously, if you cannot squeeze out a 3x5 space by removing a toolbox, drill press some other misc junk it must be a closet workspace were talking about. Assuming you are still looking do you have a list of 2 or 3 potential candidates that come close??
Other than its not new and the 27"x 62" footprint, it meets every other requirement so I still say you should keep an eye out for one of these
941c48888f3e81dae7d9dac09b09d0ec.jpg
 
I heard custom stand & came running. Look for an old restaurant selling off equipment. The back kitchen tables can withstand a 1000 pounds easy. These days they are stainless steel to boot. The legs on mine are 1.250" pipe & 2" angle for the substructure = good to go!

20151024 005.jpg
 
I was told by a forum member that Eisen carries the Liang Dei, you may be able to order 1216, or a 1224 through them. In one of the thread the OP mentioned that Liang Dei makes the PMxxxxGT series. Not positive about the connection, but it kind of looks that way judging by the pictures.

http://www.liangdei.com.tw/product-detail-1162806.html
Eisen and Pm are just two of many marketing groups that simply rebadge the Liang Dei products. They order them in in sufficient quantity that they can specify some cosmetic changes, but they are the same machines. The disadvantage to this process is that they usually only carry a few specific models rather than the full range. I was able to get my LD1216GH only because the dealer I bought it from sells the LD badged machines therefore can get any model they want.
 
Eisen and Pm are just two of many marketing groups that simply rebadge the Liang Dei products. They order them in in sufficient quantity that they can specify some cosmetic changes, but they are the same machines. The disadvantage to this process is that they usually only carry a few specific models rather than the full range. I was able to get my LD1216GH only because the dealer I bought it from sells the LD badged machines therefore can get any model they want.

But in quantity, they can get them made to what ever specs they want (within reason), So just because they look the same, they could be different creatures. Just look at all the differences between the various roung fu style mill drills. (3 speed, 6 speed, 12 speed, 3 phase, single phase, table size, spindle, power down feed, instant reverse, to name a few). Or the differences between the grizzly, and Shop Fox gunsmith lathes.
 
Are people still wondering why there is no manufacturer making small high quality lathes that no hobbyist will ever buy?

The mind reels so carry on.
 
Last edited:
A true Hobbyist would never consider "Quality" and the dollars involved. The hobbyist only shops cheap $$'s.:confused::tranquility:
A meaningful saying "If one has gotta ask,one cannot afford it"
 
Last edited:
Back
Top