Found out some info on the PRM brand.
It's the Production Tool Service private brand, targeted at the home shop market. "PRM" is the acronym for "PR"oduction "M"achines.
They have a number of products, including a Bridgeport clone as well as 13x40 and 14x40 lathes, and others. It's a new product line for them, which might explain why I couldn't find any info or reviews on the web.
Production Tool is having a sale on the 13x40 lathe for $2550.00, which is the best price I've seen on that class machine.
I drove over to a local Production Tool store to look at one. It was quite rough, with loose, missing and bent bolts. The unit is shipped on the stand, and the stand was spray painted on the pallet as evidenced by the over-spray on the pallet. Nothing I'd be proud to have in my shop. The model I saw would need a lot of TLC cosmetically, and who knows how well made the rest of it is made.
I left a couple questions for the product manager and called me later the same day. I described the unit and told him the unit I saw was not something he might want on the sales floor. He offered to have his technicians uncrate a fresh one and check it over good for me if I'd like.
Even at that price, I'm reluctant to gamble on a unit after seeing how rough one copy was.
Looks like I'm back to arguing with myself regarding the Grizzly vs Precision Matthews.
