A while back, I started thinking about a small lathe for the garage. I've used them in the past but not in quite a while.
At first the 8 x16 seemed it would do the job, but after consideration, started looking at the 9 x 19. Still too small, so like many others I moved on to the 10 x 22 / 30 series and narrowed it down to the Grizzly 602. Of course my common sense said you have to have a variable speed so now I'm looking at the Grizzly 752 or the PM 1022 V. Unfortunately the PM 1022 V is superseded by the PM 1030V which is probably a better lathe anyway.
I was already to pull the trigger this week, when I saw a Craigslist posting for an Atlas/Craftsman 12 x 36. I hadn't really considered these before, but went and took a look at one locally and was very impressed. It seems like a decent choice for a home shop. Many of the members swear by them, not at them, I noticed, and parts are still available, both from the factory and of course Ebay and Craigslist......
I even went and took a look at an older Grizzly 13 x 37, belt drive monster which was very well priced. But, I think that is both overkill for me, too big, too heavy, and it runs on 220. Now, I have 220 in my shop, so no problem, but it is pretty big, doesn't have the factory stand, and looks to be more of a project than I want to take on right now.
So, I'm back to the choice between the PM 1030 V and a nice, no junk please, Atlas/Craftsman 12x36 commercial with the 1/2" ways. My budget would be about the same for both assuming the 12x36 comes with a decent amount of tooling.
The pluses of the PM are, it's new with warranty. Has a larger spindle bore and MT taper, 1" vs 3/4". Variable speed. V shaped ways vs flat. 21 imperial some number of metric threading capability.
The pluses of the Atlas/Craftsman are: American iron. Quality product. It has a very decent speed range albeit, via belt drive and change. Good reputation. Parts availability, etc. And, it is much more capable as far as thread cutting choices, though I'm not sure about it's metric capability. I assume change gears for that are available, but not sure.
So, the real question, assuming I can find a really decent Atlas/Craftsman 12x36 Commercial lathe, which would you choose? Any and all opinions are welcome.
At first the 8 x16 seemed it would do the job, but after consideration, started looking at the 9 x 19. Still too small, so like many others I moved on to the 10 x 22 / 30 series and narrowed it down to the Grizzly 602. Of course my common sense said you have to have a variable speed so now I'm looking at the Grizzly 752 or the PM 1022 V. Unfortunately the PM 1022 V is superseded by the PM 1030V which is probably a better lathe anyway.
I was already to pull the trigger this week, when I saw a Craigslist posting for an Atlas/Craftsman 12 x 36. I hadn't really considered these before, but went and took a look at one locally and was very impressed. It seems like a decent choice for a home shop. Many of the members swear by them, not at them, I noticed, and parts are still available, both from the factory and of course Ebay and Craigslist......
I even went and took a look at an older Grizzly 13 x 37, belt drive monster which was very well priced. But, I think that is both overkill for me, too big, too heavy, and it runs on 220. Now, I have 220 in my shop, so no problem, but it is pretty big, doesn't have the factory stand, and looks to be more of a project than I want to take on right now.
So, I'm back to the choice between the PM 1030 V and a nice, no junk please, Atlas/Craftsman 12x36 commercial with the 1/2" ways. My budget would be about the same for both assuming the 12x36 comes with a decent amount of tooling.
The pluses of the PM are, it's new with warranty. Has a larger spindle bore and MT taper, 1" vs 3/4". Variable speed. V shaped ways vs flat. 21 imperial some number of metric threading capability.
The pluses of the Atlas/Craftsman are: American iron. Quality product. It has a very decent speed range albeit, via belt drive and change. Good reputation. Parts availability, etc. And, it is much more capable as far as thread cutting choices, though I'm not sure about it's metric capability. I assume change gears for that are available, but not sure.
So, the real question, assuming I can find a really decent Atlas/Craftsman 12x36 Commercial lathe, which would you choose? Any and all opinions are welcome.