How small of a lathe?

[RJSakowski]

The G0602 seems like it is the same basic machine as the PM1022. It looks to me like for $800 you lose the QCTP, the variable speeds (is that really that important -- I've been told you need low rpm, like 25-50, to cut threads well?), and the power cross-feed. Have you added any of those features later, or do you find yourself happy without them?

Looking at the specs for both machines, the PM1022 appears to be a better choice. Comparing apples to apples, the G0752 is closer to the PM1022 in that it has a variable speed drive. The PM1022 is $100 cheaper than the Grizzly G0752. The PM1022 has an 8 tpi lead screw with a keyway for separate drive for power feed while the G0602/752 has a 12 tpi lead screw that drives both threading and power feed. If you use power feed often, it will wear the lead screw more quickly than the PM. The PM also has power cross feed where the 602 doesn't. It also has provision in the gearbox for reversing the direction of the lead screw which is useful for power feed operations and essential if you wish to cut left hand threads. The Grizzly G0602/0752 do not. Most lathe operators quickly replace the 4 way tool post with a QCTP and that adds $200 to the cost. The PM1022 also offers the option of a factory installed 2 axis DRO for an additional $700. albeit you can add that feature yourself for around $300 -400 and some work. The PM 1022 also uses a cam lock style chuck mount, generally considered superior, as opposed to the Grizzly screw on chuck mount.Trgarding threading, the PM1022 additionally offers 80, 60, 30, 15, and 9.5 tpi on the Imperial side ans 2.4mm on the metric side. It lacks 27 and 13.5 tpi ans .25, .30, .875, and 3.5m. Finally, the PM manual appears to be better written, IMO.

Actually, I have done extensive mods on my G0602. I have added a 3 axis DRO, and an electronic lead screw to replace the geared lead screw drive. I have replaced the OEM compound clamp with a more robust clamp of my design. I modified the tailstock clamp so it locks with a quarter turn. A also added a variable speed drive of my own design providing a useful operating range from 2 -5,000 rpm.

If money were tight, I think the Grizzly G0602 lathe without VFD is a good basic lathe, If I was going for features, the PM1022 offers more bang for the buck. I wouldn't elect their DRO option as I find the third axis very useful (I istalled one on my tailstock before I went the full 3 axis route) and I would install a 3 axis DRO afterwards.

 

[MrWhoopee]

Looking at the specs for both machines, the PM1022 appears to be a better choice. Comparing apples to apples, the G0752 is closer to the PM1022 in that it has a variable speed drive. The PM1022 is $100 cheaper than the Grizzly G0752. The PM1022 has an 8 tpi lead screw with a keyway for separate drive for power feed while the G0602/752 has a 12 tpi lead screw that drives both threading and power feed. If you use power feed often, it will wear the lead screw more quickly than the PM. The PM also has power cross feed where the 602 doesn't. It also has provision in the gearbox for reversing the direction of the lead screw which is useful for power feed operations and essential if you wish to cut left hand threads. The Grizzly G0602/0752 do not. Most lathe operators quickly replace the 4 way tool post with a QCTP and that adds $200 to the cost. The PM1022 also offers the option of a factory installed 2 axis DRO for an additional $700. albeit you can add that feature yourself for around $300 -400 and some work. The PM 1022 also uses a cam lock style chuck mount, generally considered superior, as opposed to the Grizzly screw on chuck mount.Trgarding threading, the PM1022 additionally offers 80, 60, 30, 15, and 9.5 tpi on the Imperial side ans 2.4mm on the metric side. It lacks 27 and 13.5 tpi ans .25, .30, .875, and 3.5m. Finally, the PM manual appears to be better written, IMO.

Two things jump out at me regarding the Grizzly, the threaded spindle nose and the use of the lead-screw/half-nut for carriage feed. Those two details alone would cause me to choose the PM.

 

[Charles scozzari]

Hi, not being able to run in reverse restricts you in many tasks. I 100% agree with you.

 

[RJSakowski]

Two things jump out at me regarding the Grizzly, the threaded spindle nose and the use of the lead-screw/half-nut for carriage feed. Those two details alone would cause me to choose the PM.

Hi, not being able to run in reverse restricts you in many tasks. I 100% agree with you.

The threaded spindle isn't too much of an issue as there are two dogs which prevent the chuck from accidentally unscrewing. I wasn't able to determine from the PM literature whether the chuck mount was a standard , e.g D1-4, or if it was proprietary.

The power feed on the cross slide would be a nice feature as would be the separate drive mechanisms for power feed and threading.

 

[Charles scozzari]

Hi, I'm not familiar with that lathe but what you mention would certainly have been an asset

 

[ttabbal]

The threaded spindle isn't too much of an issue as there are two dogs which prevent the chuck from accidentally unscrewing. I wasn't able to determine from the PM literature whether the chuck mount was a standard , e.g D1-4, or if it was proprietary.

The power feed on the cross slide would be a nice feature as would be the separate drive mechanisms for power feed and threading.

From looking into them a while back, the 10xx were bolt-on like the mini lathes. The 1127 and larger appear to all be standard D1 camlock spindles. The 1127 I have is D1-4, and the larger models move up in size as one would expect.

That is a good point to mention. I thought initially that I wouldn't care that much about the chuck mount. After using a lathe for a while and swapping chucks a bunch, I wouldn't want anything else. The camlock setup is secure, aligns the same every time, and fast to work with. It's great to be able to swap to collets, 4-jaw, etc with just a few quick twists of the chuck key. And the one upside to a smaller lathe is the chucks don't weigh a ton, so swapping them doesn't kill my back or require a crane.

 

[matthewsx]

The PM1022 spindle mount isn’t proprietary but it’s also not a D style cam lock.

I sold a backplate to @erikmannie for his PM1022 a while back. But if I had a choice I’d definitely go with the D1-4.

John

 

[GeneT45]

A Myford super 7 was about $7k, new, in the US ~20 years ago (the last time I looked). I can see inflation and tooling making a $10k machine - particularly because UK goods seem to command a premium here, I know not why (and I mean premium beyond the quality of the machine). The only Myford I've ever seen in person belonged to a fantastic machinist who paid about half the US Price to buy his while in the UK.

GsT