Anyone order a machine from Alibaba?

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Hey guys, new here, just getting into a new hobby of machining. I just got a cheaper Bridgeport Mill but looking to buy a lathe. I have been looking for old iron for months and it all seems expensive and worn out. I have decided to go Grizzly/PM route and just buy a new one. With that said, I just noticed all the 25% hikes on Grizzly products due to the new tariff. It says there is no tariff on Taiwanese machines which is nice you can see what is made where now.

Anyways, with the increased prices, I have started searching and ran across Alibaba. They are selling the same machines as Grizzly and PM but for way less. I just got a quote on this lathe which looks to be the same as the Grizzly G0772:

The price he quoted was $3700 with 2 axis DRO and shipping of $150. I would have to drive to Houston to pick it up from the port.

Even at $4000 shipped, its about $2200 cheaper than the Grizzly
 
Keep in mind, while the machine may look similar, that doesn't mean it's the same thing. It could be, but it's impossible to know for sure. And you have little to no support if you get a broken part etc... I didn't mind that with a $200 DRO kit, but with a machine I don't think I would be comfortable. Even if someone has bought machine with the same picture, it is not guaranteed that you would receive the same machine.

It could be a great deal, it could be trash. No way to know. I suspect it's somewhere in the middle and you'll be fine after tweaking things. Think of it like buying a used machine without being able to inspect it. With the mill you can probably make parts if you can't get them...

PM 1236 is in that range and is a well known and highly regarded machine around here. Just another option. I'm not sure it's comparable since G0772 brought up a table saw.
 
Thanks for the reply. The correct machine is the g0776. It's a 13x40 with all the same specs. I may end up the guinea pig and ordering one. Just got another quote from another company for $3350 shipped to Houston.

The pm1236 and g4003 were my main contenders. If I buy either I think the pm is probably my preference
 
You may be on to a great deal. I sure hope you are, wouldn't want to see anyone here get taken. I've bought plenty of good stuff direct from China. Never more than about $300, but never know. Everyone has a different comfort level with the risks, only you can decide yours. :)
 
 
The thing with imports is various factories make similar machines. A lathe has to be fitted, not just assembled. When we bought a 10x22 they were a couple of factories in China making them SEIG and XIMA . XIMA ones were fitted, SEIG ones were not. To make them cost competitive a importer had to order stripped down ones from XIMA. We ended up buying the options afterwards.
 
If the machine is made in Taiwan it will likely be decent quality, made in China is a gamble, could be good could be junk. Also keep in mind, the shipping doesn't include any tariffs, those costs are your responsibility.
 
Thanks everyone for the input.

Eddyde - thanks for the heads up. I didnt even think about the tariff if I would be hit with it or not. Adding 25% to the Alibaba costs isnt much of a savings vs the risk.

Downwindtrack - Thanks, I had no idea this could be an issue. Its all new to me.

Jim - Thanks for the links. I didnt know about searchtempest. The lathes you linked are close to what I'd pay new but I see a couple of them come with tooling which is nice. I know it adds up quick. I'll have to look into the Jet.
 
An additional consideration is that you might be on the hook for the 25% import from china fee (not the seller).
 
My vote is for a machine from Precision Matthews, he stands behind his stuff
mark
 
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