Basement shop equipment suggestions needed

[B2]

The stands on the 1440GT are held on with only a few bolts. The electronics are in the stand, but I did a VFD conversion on mine so I pulled all of these out and re-plumb it with new wiring anyway. Every thing would seem come off pretty easy but I would not take the gear box head/spindle apart from the lathe bed. Any issue here would be the same for the 1440GT. Foot brake is in the stand and must be disconnected. Motor pulls off. Back splash removal is easy.

Call and ask the PM guys for comments. They have had to take all of these lathes apart and put them back together at some point. They get them damaged in shipping sometimes. So they know of the difficult tasks. The way you describe handling the lathe you going to have to do alignments anyway.

 

[Dabbler]

PM-1340GT $8600 (with stand/fluid)
or
PM-1440GT $11600

I have heard good things about the GT models... If you work envelope permits and you have the space, either will serve.

The really bad coolant/lubricant stink is due to the coolant evaporating/decomposing

The newer generation of synthetic coolants seem to keep from decomposing, developing bacterial smell, and other smelly things. they also seem to last a lot longer than the older generation coolants. I use a spray bottle for coolant, despite having 3 coolant pumps with reservoirs.

 

[katit]

The stands on the 1440GT are held on with only a few bolts. The electronics are in the stand, but I did a VFD conversion on mine so I pulled all of these out and re-plumb it with new wiring anyway. Every thing would seem come off pretty easy but I would not take the gear box head/spindle apart from the lathe bed. Any issue here would be the same for the 1440GT. Foot brake is in the stand and must be disconnected. Motor pulls off. Back splash removal is easy.

Call and ask the PM guys for comments. They have had to take all of these lathes apart and put them back together at some point. They get them damaged in shipping sometimes. So they know of the difficult tasks. The way you describe handling the lathe you going to have to do alignments anyway.

I did ask them.

-The PM-1440GT is shipped bolted to it's stand and on a HD shipping pallet. The PM-1340GT is shipped with the lathe in it's crate and on a HD shipping pallet. If the PM-1340GT's stand is ordered, it comes in 2 boxes that are secured to the top of the crate. Once you receive the PM-1340GT you will have to built the stand and then lift the Lathe atop the stand. So if moving the a Lathe down stairs and into a basement is required, as you stated, then the PM-1340GT that will not be bolted to it's stand yet would definitely be the easier option to move into place.

-The PM-1440GT comes included with a Stand w/Foot Break, Flood Type Coolant System, and a 2" Spindle Bore. The PM-1340GT does have a Stand (No Foot Brake) and Flood Type Coolant System available but it must be added to the order and does not come included like the PM-1440GT does. Also the PM-1340GT has a slightly smaller Spindle Bore at 1-9/16". So if the included options are what you are looking for as well as the larger spindle bore then the PM-1440GT might be the option for you. But as I explained above, the PM-1340GT will be easier to move down stairs and into a basement since the stand will not yet be built and the lathe is crated by itself.

From what you read here - they think I would be moving whole box which is not true, I've seen how they boxed, I will need to re-box to make it slimmer and stronger (using metal) And partially disassemble.

Question is, WHY would one prefer 1440 over 1340. I haven't gotten any straight answer yet, price difference 3+k for what? Can't be just because of spindle bore and 1in in swing? Got to be something else.. Foot brake?...

 

[katit]

I have heard good things about the GT models... If you work envelope permits and you have the space, either will serve.

The newer generation of synthetic coolants seem to keep from decomposing, developing bacterial smell, and other smelly things. they also seem to last a lot longer than the older generation coolants. I use a spray bottle for coolant, despite having 3 coolant pumps with reservoirs.

I now read 1340 oil leaks, etc.

re: Coolant - I definitely don't need it. I will use lathe rarely, and it's not well-ventilated space. Spray bottle if needed will be my friend.

 

[Ischgl99]

I have the 1236T, which is a slightly smaller version of the 1340GT. I got mine down in the basement doing as you plan, but I didn't have a landing, it went through a Bilco door directly from outside, down the stairs, and into the basement. I didn't drain the oil and had to clean up a bit afterwards.

Two big things stick out with the 1440GT vs the 1340GT. The low speed range on the 1340GT is done by changing a belt position, you get the full speed range through the gearbox on the 1440GT. The 1340GT has a total loss oiling system for the saddle drive gearbox, oil needs to be injected into the reservoir above the gears, and it drips through. The 1440GT has an enclosed gearbox, so you don't need to worry about oiling the gears, or cleaning up the mess when it drips through. Some people have made a catch basin to collect the oil, I haven't gotten around to doing that on my 1236T yet.

2" spindle bore would be nice to have, the 1.5" bore is fine for most things, but there have been a couple times a bigger bore would have been useful. You'll need to think about what size stock you will be using most and decide if that is a point worth considering.

If I had the funds to get a 1440GT, I would do that over the 1340GT, but I am very happy with my 1236T, so I don't think you could go wrong either way.

 

[Eddyde]

@Eddyde What do you mean by (NPI)? And why 1440? What specifically you like about it better than 1340?

I said: I'd go for the 1440 if I could SWING it (No Pun Intended)
I like the 2" spindle bore, the extra weight, and of course the extra swing! It looks like a more serious lathe than the 1340.
The foot brake too!

 

[Just for fun]

You Know what they say.... Bigger is always better.

I have a 1236T, it works well for what I do and fits in the location I have, I wouldn't say it leaks oil, it has an open gear box. I made a drip pan for it, but still it would be nice if it had a closed gear box.

As others have said if you can swing it get the 1440GT if no other reason then the closed gear box, it's all around a nicer lathe.

It's easy for us to say buy bigger, it's not our money!

 

[katit]

Its this psychological 10k limit. With 1340 I will get bunch of goodies and will be all in close to 10k. With 1440 bare lathe already over

 

[Larry$]

I will get bunch of goodies and will be all in close to 10k.

If you are anything like me, you will discover a "need" for lots more goodies. I "needed" to learn to make gears. bought a spin indexer, made an arbore and ground a bit. It worked. Made several change gears just to prove I could. But A spin Indexer is very limiting. So bought a BS-1 indexing head with foot stock and a set of gear cutters. Made some arbores, had to buy some steel for the project. And a book also. A fun learning project and cost less than taking a course at the university (see I can justify it.) And then there was the time I wanted to make ..........

 

[matthewsx]

Its this psychological 10k limit. With 1340 I will get bunch of goodies and will be all in close to 10k. With 1440 bare lathe already over

How many times are you going to do this?

Moving into the basement will be challenging with either machine.

Are you someone who will loose sleep over oil leaking from machine tools? If so don’t buy the machine with a total loss system as it will always leak….

I’m assuming the budget is somewhat arbitrary here, if cash is short take the cheaper option unless it will limit you down the road.

I think you’ve already decided and are just looking for us to reinforce your decision.

Go big or go home….

John