intrested in getting a new 14x40 lathe

nickmckinney · Nov 12, 2014

I was torn between a big bore 1440 from PM and the Taiwan 1340 MSC I ended up with. I could use that 2" bore on some of my projects, only thing I really miss.

mgalusha · Nov 12, 2014

I purchased a PM1440-BV in February and its given no real problems. It is Chinese and no where near my recently acquired Taiwanese PM949-TS mill in terms of fit and finish but I have no problem turning within a tenth or two. This is essentially the same as the PM1440-B but with a factory vfd.

Things I like:

Variable speed. It has two ranges and neutral and uses a vfd, there is a tach on the headstock and it will run from 40 - 1800 rpm.

Large bore and largish tail stock with 4mt.

Light is pretty good.

Accuracy once leveled and dialed in.

Flood coolant though I don't use it a lot.

Runs smooth at high rpm.

Things I had to fix, deal with or otherwise wish were better:

Coolant pump was not bolted in. Obviously not a big deal but surprising.

Cleaning, the bore was full of cast iron chips and the three jaw chuck was almost unusable until disassembled and cleaned. It does run pretty true though. From what I can tell this is common with many of the Chinese 3 jaws.

The cross slide dro cover hit the light base. This appears to have been corrected on the currently shipping models judging by the photos. It was an easy fix but pretty obvious the installers did actually test it.

The foot brake is not a brake, just opens a microswitch and stops the motor normally. I believe this is because of the vfd.

The micrometer carriage stop is crap but can be addressed, I posted a video on YouTube if you're curious. Shows the lathe a bit as well.

Overall I am happy with the machine and Precision Matthews. When I first got it set up, my comment was the I was happy it wasn't any bigger. I have revised that since, I wish it was a little longer, not that I've had any jobs that required more length but it would be nice.

I don't regret the purchase, which is actually praise in my view. ;-)

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

mksj · Nov 12, 2014

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ontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->[FONT=&amp]If your concerned about quality and potential of problems, then you will probably look for a new lathe made in Taiwan; or higher quality used machine/precision tool-room lathe. You haven't specified what the budget is, if you are looking at around 5K, then the PM1340 (or the Kent 12x36 version) are probably the only machines out of the box that have a high level of fit and finish (Quality) in this range. I have the PM1340GT, and like others, I was tired of all the poor castings and overall quality issues in similar lathes priced 1-2K less. If you want to run a 14x40, then you probably are in the 9-10K price range. There are many variants on the Grizzly G0740 Precision Lathe [FONT=&amp] (the Kent version is the TRL-1340/1340V) [/FONT]which you might look into, I seem to recall this is the machine the Papa Grizzly uses. I looked into this "model type" directly with the company that makes them in Taiwan, but just too much machine for my needs. There is also a 15x50 grizzly if you want something real big. http://www.ebay.com/itm/G9733AI-15-...238?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418a07441e[/FONT]

GA Gyro · Nov 12, 2014

mksj said:
[FONT=&amp]If your concerned about quality and potential of problems, then you will probably look for a new lathe made in Taiwan; or higher quality used machine/precision tool-room lathe. You haven't specified what the budget is, if you are looking at around 5K, then the PM1340 (or the Kent 12x36 version) are probably the only machines out of the box that have a high level of fit and finish (Quality) in this range. I have the PM1340GT, and like others, I was tired of all the poor castings and overall quality issues in similar lathes priced 1-2K less. If you want to run a 14x40, then you probably are in the 9-10K price range. There are many variants on the Grizzly G0740 Precision Lathe [FONT=&amp] (the Kent version is the TRL-1340/1340V) [/FONT]which you might look into, I seem to recall this is the machine the Papa Grizzly uses. I looked into this "model type" directly with the company that makes them in Taiwan, but just too much machine for my needs. There is also a 15x50 grizzly if you want something real big. http://www.ebay.com/itm/G9733AI-15-...238?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418a07441e[/FONT]

That is a nice looking lathe... just a bit pricy.

Looking at the pics... I think your (and soon to be my) 1340GT's are in the same class of fit and finish... just lighter and smaller machines.

gr8legs · Nov 13, 2014

Well, once you get settled in Coos Bay you might want to check around town for suitable lathes and other machines available for sale in the local machine shops.

That area used to have a much more vibrant lumber / marine economy and a local purchase of some old, heavy iron might be suitable.

Closer to Portland there is machinery available (check Craigslist regularly) but there are more of us buyers in the vicinity

Good luck!

Stu

tmarks11 · Nov 13, 2014

gr8legs said:
....you might want to check around town for suitable lathes and other machines available for sale in the local machine shops....

I will lay money that the answer is NONE. You want to buy used, you will be driving to Portland.

What price range are you looking at for a lathe? I would strongly recommend that you look for a Taiwan lathe. Something like PM 1340GT, or Enco's Turn Pro 1440, or an Eisen 1440E if you have some cash to burn.

Cheeseking · Nov 13, 2014

Anyone looked at Republic (Lagun)?? Looks USA based but castings from Spain?? Their RL-1440 looks pretty good.
Not sure about price but they have parts and support available stateside.

www.lagun.com/mini_brochure.php?product_id=554

darkzero · Nov 13, 2014

For PM, if I were to buy a lathe today from Matt to replace my PM1236 it would probably be a PM1440BV or the PM1440HD if I could swing it. Too bad the PM1340T (not GT) is no longer available, those were sweet! I'm all for Taiwan machines but it's not a deal breaker for me if there's a machine I like with more features that want.

Buying used is a great option, I'm not one of those who will tell you buy old American or Taiwan cause everything else sucks but if I had the opportunity, my dream lathe (realistic/possible) would to get a nice used Mori Seiki. Heck I'd even take a Mori clone (authorized or unauthorized clone) but yeah, a Mori is what I would love to have!

When I ready to upgrade my lathe & mill, hopefully Matt will have some new offerings. I'm loyal to Matt & I would buy my next machines from him but when the time comes if I find a nice Mori/Mori Clone and a full size BP/BP clone I'm going with those.

Oh and a 10EE, that's a bad ass lathe, if I found a sweet deal on one I wouldn't hesitate to hop on it.

qualitymachinetools · Nov 23, 2014

That lagin RL-1440 Lathe is from Taiwan. The Lagun lathes that say Liberty on them should still be from Spain.

Great machines, but way up there in price. Even on the Taiwan machines.

lseguine · Nov 27, 2014

Well fellers, I am finally in coos bay, actually north bend. I really appreciate the info and thoughts.

I'm budgeting something in the 5 -6k$ for the lathe. I was thinking the pm 1440E was a Taiwan machine. so i'm still thinking. I talked to the gent in Vancouver, Wa. but have lost his number in traveling. this moving stuff is the sh---s. I have seen a couple machines here in the Oregon coast area on craigs list. so I will do some more looking. big heavy machines are no problem here as the shop is a monster for a hobby shop.
I have heard comments about crappy chucks on these machines. the 3 jaw on my jet was out of true and I had to grind the jaws to true it up.
and the 4 jaw junk I will be nice and just not say anything. so I am really hoping to find a reasonable well built machine. and would like accuracy in the 1 or 2 tenths at least.

well again thanks guys you are very helpful.

larry

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intrested in getting a new 14x40 lathe

nickmckinney

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mgalusha

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mksj

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GA Gyro

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gr8legs

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tmarks11

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Cheeseking

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darkzero

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qualitymachinetools

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lseguine

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