- Joined
- Nov 16, 2012
- Messages
- 5,596
Yep, these units come out of the same factory (like many other machines) with a handful of various customizations. As mentioned earlier, the PM comes with an authentic KB speed cable. This may sound trivial but other importers use a generic brand that has a reported lifetime of a fruitfly (about 2 weeks) in many cases. The cable is a pain to get at and if it goes bad, things won't work right. Also, the KB cable allows easy modification to external speed controls etc... The moral of the story is that the machines are similar but not identical. It depends on the relationship between the imorter and Weiss.
Ray
Ray
Many thanx for the info on the various lathes. I did a comparison with the Weiss WMD30V & 30LV to the PM-30V to the Craftex CX601. I did a spreadsheet comparison but, as I don't know how to upload the spreadsheet, you'll have to settle for a graphic image.
View attachment 59490
Aside from the fact that tables can be changed, add a few bolts here and there, remove a couple of lock washers, it seems as if the Craftex CX601 and the Precision Matthews PM-30V are knockoffs of a cross between the Weiss WMD30V and 30LV. As Ray C points out, there is probably a 1-to-1 comparison between the Weiss WMD30LV and the Precision Matthews PM-30LV, even to the extent of model-naming conventions (I couldn't find the specs for the PM-30MVL so I couldn't compare).
I couldn't find a similar model in the Grizzly catalogue so I couldn't compare. If someone can direct me to a similar model I will add it to the comparison.
Yes, the Busy Bee gang here in Ottawa are very friendly. I'm also fortunate in belonging to a very informal group of machinists who I've learned a lot from and who have helped me out. It greatly helps if you can latch on to a "Jedi Master" or two.
Put a large deposit on the CX601. Now I have to build a "sled" (with wheels) so that I can winch it up the back stairs and down into the basement. It worked very well when I got my Craftex B2227L 10"x 22" metal lathe so, with a few modifications to the process, I think I should be able to do the same with the CX601.
Bob M.