Grizzly G1495 or G5979

Anyone have any experience or comments on the quality of either the Grizzly G1495 or G5979 lathes?

Thanks again!

Reply to
Timber
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I have the G5979 lathe, and here's my opinion of it.

Short Version

------------ While it's certainly not a OneWay, General, Powermatic, Stubby, etc., it's a very good value. A decent way to get started, especially if you're not certain that you're going to stay in the hobby, and don't want to risk so much money.

Long Version

---------- I'm pretty happy with it. There are a few flaws/downsides to it, but it is still a pretty decent lathe, especially considering that it's less than 1/10th of the price of the "big name" lathes. Here's a list of the downsides to it:

- 1/2 horse motor isn't very powerful for extra-large turnings.

- no indexing head

- with a lot of pressure from the tail stock, the head assembly will flex just a little bit on it's mount.

Overall, though, it does the job perfectly well, and I'm happy with it. Whenever I start thinking about saving up for a new lathe, I think about the improvements I'd get, and the cost required, and so far, I've always decided that the costs weren't worth it. If I were a "Master Turner", or using the lathe as a source of income, I'd probably buy a more expensive one right now, but for my own hobby use, it does me just fine.

steve

Reply to
Steve Wolfe

short version GREAT long version VERY GREAT it could use a bigger motor but just go slower. I had a problem with a tool I bought from Grizzly and they gave my no problems.VERY NICE PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH.

Reply to
Stumpysam10

I have the G5979. It's OK as a starter lathe, but if you want to get serious, you'll need something better. It eats drive belts. The mechanical variable speed system (Reeves drive) actually induces vibration (you don't want this). It says 12" swing, but not if you are going to rough shape a bowl or hollow form between centers. The motor actually extends beyond the end of the spindle so you are limited to about 8" swing at the headstock end. My headstock and tailstock DO NOT LINE UP. The headstock points slightly low, I needed to put in shims. The casting of the lathe bed is sloppy underneath and affects the tailstock's holding ability. The casting of the tailstock itself is not great. The tailstock can shift between the two sides of the lathe bed. (and get out of align with the headstock) The stand is too flexible (vibration, again) if you do anything at all out of balance. At least replacement parts are inexpensive.

Woodcraft has a promotion right now of including the stand free ($119 regularly) with the Jet Mini Lathe. It is about $85 more (with differences in shipping changes, it could be a bit more or a bit less of a difference). It is a much better lathe. If you get "hooked on turning" it is a good lathe to keep, even if you eventually get a BIG lathe. If you decide turning is not for you, the Jet Mini will be more re-sellable.

Matt Heffron

Reply to
Matt Heffron

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