Ford F-150 of lathes?

[Northlander]

What would you consider to be the f-150 of lathes? A solid, reliable, high value, mass produced, easily available parts etc.?

 

[markba633csi]

South Bend probably

 

[MrWhoopee]

That would have to be a South Bend, though I'm not sure it fits all of the criteria. I would say VW is more apt than F-150.

 

[mmcmdl]

Under 12" I take it ? SB , Clausing , Atlas , Hardinge , Monarch . Depends on price .

 

[Northlander]

For size anything that I could reasonably power with 240v and a converter, I have a good sized shop. My approach to tools and big purchases like vehicles usually fall into this category. The way the world is these days I like things that are common and easy to repair. Any thoughts on most common model?

 

[mmcmdl]

Narrow it down .

 

[mksj]

I assume your are talking at the hobbyist level, and you should define a size, price range and if current production. Most of the lathes mentioned are old production, so I do not consider parts availability as common that you can call store and get replacement parts, nor can you go out and get a new production lathe under 20K.

In the smaller lathes, I consider the Grizzly G4003G and the PM-1340GT as lathes that have been in production for many years, parts are readily available and they are both solid/reliable lathes in the sub 10K cost and both around 1000 lbs. The latter being a higher quality lathe. Eisen also has their versions of the 1236GH, 1440E, 1440GE and the 1440EV which are all very solid Taiwanese made lathes, the models have been in production for years, and parts should not be an issue. Grizzly also the G0709 and G0509G are heavier lathes, the models have been around for decades. All these models are very solid and work well at the hobbyist level for decades.

Next level up in my opinion is the Sunmaster Taiwanese lathes which there light industrial 1440-1660 models (ERL, TRL, RL, TC) are sold through numerous vendors such as Acra, Precision Mathews, Kent, etc. These typically start run in the 13-20K cost and are 2500-3500 lbs, high qulaity lathes. They are patterned after the Colchester lathes, which are still produced but will be more expensive.

 

[matthewsx]

12 x 36 Taiwan built.

I have one but my truck is an F250

John

 

[sdelivery]

Warner & Swasey
They are everywhere...still.
Parts and tooling still available.
They were in most shops.

 

[TorontoBuilder]

For size anything that I could reasonably power with 240v and a converter, I have a good sized shop. My approach to tools and big purchases like vehicles usually fall into this category. The way the world is these days I like things that are common and easy to repair. Any thoughts on most common model?

IF I had a larger shop and lived in the USA I'd buy a PM 1440.


Is it the F-150 of lathes? I'd say yes, a late model one, but maybe a supercab version.
Southbends may be a 1950s F150