Update - over a year and a half later -G0698

[Roger Chandler]

I have not posted anything on this forum in quite a while..........other than in the photo gallery from time to time.

Back when I started posting the biggest thread was about the new Grizzly G0698 lathe that came on the market in Jan of 2010. I was one of the first to get it...........back then I mentioned in the interest of getting a true picture of the unit that I would give an update from time to time, and that only time would give the true picture.

I know that a few units had a circuit board issue [Toshiba supplied] but to my knowledge that has been corrected, and I have not heard of any additional issues as of late. Grizzly told me they would stand behind this unit with parts and service 100 percent.

Now to my experience - after 19 months of fairly heavy usage......I still have not had one single issue with my lathe. I am very happy with its performance and features, especially for the price.

The lathe has done all I have asked of it, and I have not had any handles strip, no alignment problems, no electronics issues, and the original "hunt below 100 rpm" has actually gotten better with use.

I think the PM3520b has a better banjo than the G0698, but the one on the G0698 is identical to the Jet 1642 evs.

Would I recommend it ............yes, definitely! Of course my dream lathe might just be the Robust American Beauty, but that is a different league! 😉

 

[Odie]

.....the original "hunt below 100 rpm" has actually gotten better with use.

What do you mean with this statement?

Glad you have found a good lathe........

ooc

 

[Roger Chandler]

What do you mean with this statement?

Glad you have found a good lathe........

ooc

Odie,

When the lathe was first new, when the speed was turned down, there seem to be a 'searching' of the spindle, kind of a hesitation if you will.........especially when going below 300 rpm on the high belt setting on the pulleys.....the low belt setting on the other pulley was much better.

Now as the lathe has gotten used and "broken in" there seems to be a smoother rotation on both belt settings.........the high belt setting has no hunt to about 160 rpm and the low belt setting has no hesitation at around 60 rpm.

Of course this was Grizzly's specs to keep the operator running the unit a little higher as very low rpm for extended periods of time will cause motors to overheat.

 

[Odie]

Odie,

When the lathe was first new, when the speed was turned down, there seem to be a 'searching' of the spindle, kind of a hesitation if you will.........especially when going below 300 rpm on the high belt setting on the pulleys.....the low belt setting on the other pulley was much better.

Now as the lathe has gotten used and "broken in" there seems to be a smoother rotation on both belt settings.........the high belt setting has no hunt to about 160 rpm and the low belt setting has no hesitation at around 60 rpm.

Of course this was Grizzly's specs to keep the operator running the unit a little higher as very low rpm for extended periods of time will cause motors to overheat.

OK, thanks Roger.......

This information is related to another ongoing discussion regarding slow speed.......

ooc

 

[Matt Lewis]

Grizzly Lathe

Hey Roger,

Is it possible to see a video of you turning on the lathe? It sounds like a decent lathe for the price, but would be more interesting to see it operate.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Jerry Hall]

Hand Wheel?

Roger, Have they added a hand wheel yet? The pics on the Griz web site don't have a view to show the end of the head stock. If not have you found an easy fix for that?

 

[Roger Chandler]

Roger, Have they added a hand wheel yet? The pics on the Griz web site don't have a view to show the end of the head stock. If not have you found an easy fix for that?

Jerry,

I have found a couple of ways to make a handwheel for it. Thing is.......I have not yet found a reason to put one on it........I could easily turn one, and bolt it on the holes in the pulley, but I have not found it is needed.

I use the pin that came with the lathe to lock the spindle.......simple and effective.........I do not know if Grizzly has ever decided to put one on.......I have not heard anyone say they have.............I generally notice things related to this unit pretty much.........so my guess is that they have not.

 

[Roger Chandler]

Hey Roger,

Is it possible to see a video of you turning on the lathe? It sounds like a decent lathe for the price, but would be more interesting to see it operate.

Thanks,

Matt

Matt,

If you have ever seen a Jet 1642 evs in operation, you will have seen the same features that the Grizzly G0698 has.......only the Grizz is a bit larger in size............it has 2hp, variable speed, runs on 220v, has reversing, headstock configuration is almost identical to the Jet and Powermatic 3520b, the banjo and toolrest are identical to the Jet, and so are the locking handles on the toolrest, and it has 2 belt settings like both the PM and Jet.......the knobs and buttons are a little different, but there is a connection in manufacturing with the Jet & PM.

An owner of the Jet 1642 [JD, from Ky.] told me the Jet1642 and the Grizzly G0698 are pretty much twins, except the Grizzly G0698 is just a little larger machine.

As far as a video...........I am not set up to do that, and I would have to have some help on that one!

 

[Matt Lewis]

Roger,

Thanks! How are you stopping the lathe without a hand wheel. Just waiting for it? That would be a problem to me.

Regards,

Matt

 

[Roger Chandler]

Roger,

Thanks! How are you stopping the lathe without a hand wheel. Just waiting for it? That would be a problem to me.

Regards,

Matt

Matt,

Turn the speed knob down, and it just stops! Simple........this lathe does not freewheel like it is in neutral..........it is not like a Nova lathe.........it slows, speeds up, and stops all with the turn of the speed dial. No problems whatsoever...........no waiting for it!

 

[Matt Lewis]

Roger,

Neat and interesting. Perhaps I'll check it out a little further.

An additional thought - does that mean that the lathe just stops if you turn the power off? If so, it seems that could be a problem in an emergency with a heavy/large piece.

Regards,

Matt

 

[Roger Chandler]

Roger,

Neat and interesting. Perhaps I'll check it out a little further.

An additional thought - does that mean that the lathe just stops if you turn the power off? If so, it seems that could be a problem in an emergency with a heavy/large piece.

Regards,

Matt

Matt,

The Grizzly G0698 has a 3 phase inverter that runs off 220v single phase electric power. I use the speed dial knob to turn the speed down to zero before I turn the power button to off. You can have the lathe on, and the speed indicator will show 0000 if you do not have the speed turned up.

This configuration is like what you find on the PM3520b and the Jet 1642 evs lathes.

I have never had an issue with a large piece............If I want to reduce the speed or turn off I just either turn the speed knob or hit the off button.........it does not lock the spindle if that is what you are asking, but the belt on the pulleys keep the spindle in check and reduce the speed quickly............no freewheeling, no issues, no problems.........

 

[Roger Chandler]

2 year update in January

I will [if I can remember to do it] likely post a 2 year update on the Grizzly G0698. At the beginning of my review process back in January of 2010 I said that I would give some on-going reviews so as to give the true picture of this unit from a long term standpoint.

Once that review is done, I will probably not post about it anymore.........providing I don't all of a sudden have some unanticipated problems...............I don't think that will happen, but it is just a caveat.

For those who were interested in the unit..........there are several turners who post in the Grizzly Green Monster Group on SMC who have the G0698 as well, and they seem to be doing well with theirs also...one or two had gotten a unit with the circuit board issue, but all has been resolved, and they seem to be getting along fine with their unit as of now.

Until January, unless someone posts here and has questions..........