Has anybody tried the grizzley G0632 Lathe

[joet]

I am looking for a 2nd lathe. I currently have a powermatic 3520 and love it,
but the tail is too heavy for my wife and daughter to move. They are new
to turning, but they like the variable speed, and rigidity of the powermatic.

The grizzley g0632 has variable speed, uses the same chuck thread as my
powermatic, and looks like it is heavy enough built to work ok for my wife and
daughter.

I am a bit worried about grizzley because my first lathe was a G1495, and
they clearly did not know about lathes when they built that one.

I am very temped to try Grizzley again with the G0632, but have not been able to find a review.

Anybody have some info on the G0632.

Thanks,

Joe Torgerson

 

[Garmar]

I have a Grizzly Planer and a Grizzly Bandsaw that are excellent tools, but no experience with their lathes. There are several lathes in the Want Ad section of the forum that you can look at, not sure any are Grizzly.

 

[Rob Wallace]

Check out the Jet 1642 first!

Joe:

This is the Grizzly knock-off of the Jet 1642 lathe.....I also am not enamored of Grizzly lathes, having seen a number of them in their Muncy, Pennsylvania showroom, and I was not impressed. Whatever rocket scientist put the disk sander where the handwheel should be on some of their "new and improved" lathes should be held accountable for all injuries resulting from 'accidents' caused by this machine. It seems to me that Grizzly can't design its own lathes correctly, so it knocks off others' designs.....

I have had the 2HP version of the Jet 1642 lathe for several years, and can recommend this lathe as a winner (....it's also from your Powermatic's manufacturer, the WMH Tool Group).

At $ 1,300 plus $ 100 shipping [$1,400] for the G0632, you should compare this Grizzly knock-off lathe to the proven winner of the Jet 1642. I priced the 1642 at www.southern-tool.com just now, and it is listing for $ 1,440 for the 1.5 HP and $ 1,600 for the 2 HP versions, including free truck delivery if shipped to a commercial address (I assume you've got friends!).

If I were making the decision, I'd go with the proven Jet lathe for essentially the same price. The tailstock on the 1642 is manageable; I agree that the 3520's tailstock is a gut/groin-buster for lots of on/off use....

YMMV.....good luck with your decision!

Rob Wallace

 

[jcooper]

nicely said, Rob. Woodcraft has the 1.5 hp 1642 for $1399 + tax.

 

[C Edward Moore]

Listen to Rob!

Joe, why would you want to try another experiment with Grizzly, which has proven conclusively that they don't know about lathes?

Rob has given you excellent advice. The Jet 1642 is a proven winner and is made by a company with a positive track record in lathes. If you like the PM3520, then you should expect to like the Jet 1642 and its tailstock is lighter than the one on the PM. The bed of the 1642 is longer than the one on the 3520 so maybe the tailstock won't be in the way as often.

Listen to Rob.

 

[john lucas]

Try getting a quote on the Jet from www.toolnut.com He is good to deal with and usually beats others prices. You may get closer to the Grizzly price.

 

[jimbob91577]

I have the G0462...

...which is the same basic lathe, only with a reves drive instead of the EVS motor.

I haven't had any problems with it since I put an extra 500+ lbs onto the base. (I Take that back, it was about all my wife and I could manage trying to put it together)

I would change only 2 things about this lathe:
- where the drive lever is located - at high RPM's it can get in the way.
- the low RPM range - 600 while not terrible, can be a bit much when rough turning objects in the 10"+ diameter range

For everything else I have done, it has been fine.

 

[hazard]

I have the G1495 which is my first lathe. I think it sucks for turning bowls but I would think it is a good spindle lathe. Hopefully the new lathe has come along ways since the design of the G1495 lathe.

 

[robo hippy]

There are a couple of lathes that have tilt away or down accessories for moving heavy tailstocks. You may be able to adapt one of those for your PM. But then you may need a second lathe so you aren't competing to see whose turn it is to turn.
robo hippy

 

[joet]

Thanks everyone, I ordered the Jet 1642

Thanks for all the responses eveyone.

I am still interested in a review of the new Grizzley lathe, but I am
not willing to risk my $1400 to find out how it works.

I ordered a Jet 1642 from woodcraft for $1399. No tax in Oregon, and
no shipping if I pick it up from the store.

I did take a risk on the grizzley 3.5" chuck for $99, and a couple of
extra jaws.

Joe Torgerson

 

[hcbph]

Thanks for all the responses eveyone.
I ordered a Jet 1642 from woodcraft for $1399. No tax in Oregon, and
no shipping if I pick it up from the store.
I did take a risk on the grizzley 3.5" chuck for $99, and a couple of
extra jaws.
Joe Torgerson

I have the Jet along with the Grizzly chuck and it's working well. I forget, but I think the chuck will take jaws from a Vicmarc (?). Saw something a while back and I can't find it right now, it's supposed to take jaws from one other the other chucks.

Paul