- Joined
- Jun 12, 2014
- Messages
- 4,810
Been using my Optimum BF-30 mill for a number of years and need to do some turning of small parts on a lathe. I will need to do some minimal threading at this point, but doubt I will ever need to do more than 56 TPI. Still, it would be nice not have to deal with change gears for the most part. Looking for a new lathe, preferably 12x36, but 13x30 or 13x40 would also be ok. Don't want to deal with old US iron, that is too big and heavy for me to move. Also, having had other Chinese machinery (with a number of issues), quality of the lathe is my main concern. I would like to keep the budget without tooling under 6K.
So I believe I have narrowed the field down to an Eisen 1236GH or a Grizzly G9036 (or what seems to be the equivalent in a Kent KLS1340a) and like to get some input on which one others would suggest. Interestingly the seems to be many similar versions of the G9036, the Kent KLS1340a has the same parts list, but they seem to differ on some of the specifications. The 1236GH is made in Taiwan and has a high level of fit and finish, but has an open gearbox and lacks the brake, coolant system and light on the G9036. Spec wise I have attached some information on the models under consideration. My understanding is that the quality on the G9036/KLS1340a is a bit better than the G4003G or G0750G (and similar clones), and the Eisen 1236GH is probably a step up from all of these. If I go with the 1236GH, I will probably put on a 2-3 HP 3 phase motor and a VFD. I hate pulley changes and the cost to convert to a VFD macine is quite nominal. So probably my two main questions are open vs. a closed gearbox and no brake vs. brake, are these features important enough to offset the quality difference between these two machines. Are there any other similar "quality" lathes in this category to consider. Vendor wise, I choose the machines above because of their specifications, supposed quality, they are in stock and their suppliers reply to inquiries and have stock replacement parts.
Thanks in advance.
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So I believe I have narrowed the field down to an Eisen 1236GH or a Grizzly G9036 (or what seems to be the equivalent in a Kent KLS1340a) and like to get some input on which one others would suggest. Interestingly the seems to be many similar versions of the G9036, the Kent KLS1340a has the same parts list, but they seem to differ on some of the specifications. The 1236GH is made in Taiwan and has a high level of fit and finish, but has an open gearbox and lacks the brake, coolant system and light on the G9036. Spec wise I have attached some information on the models under consideration. My understanding is that the quality on the G9036/KLS1340a is a bit better than the G4003G or G0750G (and similar clones), and the Eisen 1236GH is probably a step up from all of these. If I go with the 1236GH, I will probably put on a 2-3 HP 3 phase motor and a VFD. I hate pulley changes and the cost to convert to a VFD macine is quite nominal. So probably my two main questions are open vs. a closed gearbox and no brake vs. brake, are these features important enough to offset the quality difference between these two machines. Are there any other similar "quality" lathes in this category to consider. Vendor wise, I choose the machines above because of their specifications, supposed quality, they are in stock and their suppliers reply to inquiries and have stock replacement parts.
Thanks in advance.
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