I've had my 1440HD for around a year and love it. As it is a 1 piece unit all cast base and lathe it's a heavy one to move but well worth it.I am about to order this lathe. Any comments or opinions are welcome. Does any one have one of these lathes.
I too have heard all the horror stories about sand/grit/junk in the castings and have yet to buy a Asian machine that has any. It probably has something to do with who is ordering the machines.
Very jealous of your 1440HD. I used to live in the Tucson area, and if lucky will return in a few years after this day job stuff. Maybe you'll still have that beast when I get back down there.
Sure hope I don't have to wait a year. Mat said 10 to12 weeks. Looking forward to having a new lathe. My present lathe is 1919 13 inch South Bend that is very tired at best.I've had my 1440HD for around a year and love it. As it is a 1 piece unit all cast base and lathe it's a heavy one to move but well worth it.
After all the stories going around about sand left in the castings on Asian machines I tore my entire unit down prior to ever powering it up. The gear boxes were all spotless, all pins and lever detente lined up properly.
I can honestly say when this machine was delivered to me it was all properly assembled and in perfect operating condition.
Only issue I had was time to get it, when I ordered my lathe from Matt there were some changes being made and it ended up taking about a year to get it.
Matt was very up front with me and offered several options to get a refund and or purchase a different machine. I decided to stick it out as this was the one I wanted and waited for it to arrive.
I am soooo happy I waited and got this lathe, and Matt took very good care of me because I had to wait so long. Since then I have made other purchases from him and have never been disappointed.
If you were in Tucson I would gladly let you see it, I am sure you will be very happy with the purchase.
Awesome to hear good review like this. I had heard negative things about the Jet 1440W (which looks very similar), and thought this one might have similar problems. Nice to see that Matt is keeping his products a cut above the rest....The gear boxes were all spotless, all pins and lever detente lined up properly....