- Joined
- Jun 8, 2016
- Messages
- 603
Like many here it seems, I am looking to buy my first lathe. I want to make sure I understand what I think I understand and ask you folks for feedback.
For disscussion purposes, I am looking at the Grizzly 10x22's and 11x26 bench lathes.
Am I correct in my understanding that the spindle speeds are controlled by either a variable speed DC Motor or by the gear box and that the gear's are not removed and swapped out to change speeds......
And based on that, the "Change Gears" are only to change the speed/ratio of the feed screw in relation to the spindle...
and that the feed screw speed/ratio only determines the feed rate for either powered feed cuts or threading?
I have wanted a lathe for years, and have been looking for used. However, good used machines are not widely available in my area. I have decided to buy new. My budget is about $2000 which would make the Grizzly 10 and 11 inch lathes doable, as well as the PM 10x22 and 10x30. However, if I go with the PM's, my tooling budget is going to be limited.
My intentions for using the lathe are doing light gunsmith work such as threading my own barrels and cutting them down, working on pre-threaded and contoured short chambered bolt action barrels, and making suppressors (I've built one, have Form 1's in hand, all legal). Mostly I plan on playing and making 'stuff' for fun, no production at all.
The thing is, I don't know enough about lathes or working with them to know what features I want or need. I keep hearing about getting as big as I can afford. I'm thinking the 11x26 is there, but wonder about the value of the variable speed motor on the 752.
What questions should I be asking myself to help make the decision?
For disscussion purposes, I am looking at the Grizzly 10x22's and 11x26 bench lathes.
Am I correct in my understanding that the spindle speeds are controlled by either a variable speed DC Motor or by the gear box and that the gear's are not removed and swapped out to change speeds......
And based on that, the "Change Gears" are only to change the speed/ratio of the feed screw in relation to the spindle...
and that the feed screw speed/ratio only determines the feed rate for either powered feed cuts or threading?
I have wanted a lathe for years, and have been looking for used. However, good used machines are not widely available in my area. I have decided to buy new. My budget is about $2000 which would make the Grizzly 10 and 11 inch lathes doable, as well as the PM 10x22 and 10x30. However, if I go with the PM's, my tooling budget is going to be limited.
My intentions for using the lathe are doing light gunsmith work such as threading my own barrels and cutting them down, working on pre-threaded and contoured short chambered bolt action barrels, and making suppressors (I've built one, have Form 1's in hand, all legal). Mostly I plan on playing and making 'stuff' for fun, no production at all.
The thing is, I don't know enough about lathes or working with them to know what features I want or need. I keep hearing about getting as big as I can afford. I'm thinking the 11x26 is there, but wonder about the value of the variable speed motor on the 752.
What questions should I be asking myself to help make the decision?