Looking to buy a used PM-1127-VF-LB lathe

[ARC-170]

I'm looking to possibly replace my Atlas Craftsman 101.07403 lathe (I added a QCGB) with something more modern and heavier. It's been a great machine and I had fun restoring and using it. I've been using much bigger lathes at the school where I occasionally work and it's made me want to get a more modern machine. There's a Precision Matthews PM-1127-VF-LB lathe a few hours away that might suit my needs.

PICTURES

From the seller:
Awesome lathe for your shop, home garage, etc. Large bore, 1.5 Inches!!!!
120V but geared for plenty of power!!! Has a DRO (digital read out)
There are no surface rust issues although the photos seem to look that way.

I asked what it came with, this was the reply:
It comes with pretty much what you see in the photos. I do have extra circuit boards, engine speed resisters and some extra change gears.

It's supposed to come with:

NEED DIMENSIONS
I was able to find the overall dimensions, and it appears it might be too big. However, I might be able to fit it on the 24" deep built-in bench I have. The bench is bolted to the floor and wall. If the lathe mounting bolts are located in a little I think I can get it on the table and have the control sticking out a bit. Could anyone get me this dimension if you have this lathe?

I WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS
1. Is this machine a step up/the same as/a step down from my current machine?

2. Seller is asking $2800 for the lathe (this one isn't made anymore, but a PM1022 is $2900 and a PM1130 is $3900) . It comes with a stand ($300 option from PM) and a Sino SDS6-2V DRO ($145 new for DRO only, $360 for a kit). What's a fair price?

I'll try and contact the seller and ask more about what's in the stand in the way of accessories, what type of use this has seen and anything else you all think I should ask. I do plan to ask about the extra circuit boards, engine speed resisters and some extra change gears.

Thanks!

 

[ivel03]

I have a Weiss cousin of that lathe, i'll grab some dimensions for you later today. I have mine sitting on a Husky rolling workbench with the wheels removed and i think it's 46 x 18 so i suspect it might fit for you.

I gave $2,000 for mine 3 years ago and everything has gone up quite a bit since then. Mine is an older model that has a smaller through hole spindle and the chuck back plate bolts on with 3 bolts - the newer models use a D1-4 camlock to hold the chuck on which makes changing chucks much faster and easier. Mine didn't come with a stand (which i wouldn't have used) nor DRO & scales which i added later on and are built into my ELS.

I think this was discussed in another thread - the home made covers over the change gears are a bit odd but maybe the seller knows why the factory ones were removed. Maybe shipping or student damage? I would inspect the machine closely and verify it's in good shape, things are tight. Take off the cover and make sure there are no signs of damage under the cover.

Overall it's a good machine but it doesn't have a QCGB. I put an ELS on it and there's others on here that have documented putting ELS kits (Clough42 and others) on the 1127/1130 lathes. I don't know how much heavier it is than your current lathe but it might have some modern features such as variable speed motor, power cross feed and metric threading.

 

[ivel03]

My lathe is butted up against the wall. From the wall to the front side of the foot is 17".

 

[ARC-170]

I have a Weiss cousin of that lathe, i'll grab some dimensions for you later today. I have mine sitting on a Husky rolling workbench with the wheels removed and i think it's 46 x 18 so i suspect it might fit for you.

I gave $2,000 for mine 3 years ago and everything has gone up quite a bit since then. Mine is an older model that has a smaller through hole spindle and the chuck back plate bolts on with 3 bolts - the newer models use a D1-4 camlock to hold the chuck on which makes changing chucks much faster and easier. Mine didn't come with a stand (which i wouldn't have used) nor DRO & scales which i added later on and are built into my ELS.

I think this was discussed in another thread - the home made covers over the change gears are a bit odd but maybe the seller knows why the factory ones were removed. Maybe shipping or student damage? I would inspect the machine closely and verify it's in good shape, things are tight. Take off the cover and make sure there are no signs of damage under the cover.

Overall it's a good machine but it doesn't have a QCGB. I put an ELS on it and there's others on here that have documented putting ELS kits (Clough42 and others) on the 1127/1130 lathes. I don't know how much heavier it is than your current lathe but it might have some modern features such as variable speed motor, power cross feed and metric threading.

Funny you mention a Weiss. There's a Weiss lathe for sale that's a bit closer. Asking price $1400


This looks like a stock photo, but that's what's in the ad. From the seller:
Need gone
Condition
New
Weiss wbl250f lathe
new
large
i have a lathe its new and can be tested
only local pickup
Wbl 250fx550
works perfectly

Is this the same or almost the same as the PM lathe?

I'm not sure what the deal is with the covers, either, thanks for pointing those out. There was another thread about using the lathe with the covers off, so maybe it's the way they use them?

It doesn't have a QCGB, but you can still cut threads on it, if I'm reading the manual correctly. You do have to change a gear to do different threads, but it looks like it will do quite a few with one gear.

An ELS is an Electronic Lead Screw, correct? What is the advantage of that with this machine?

 

[ARC-170]

My lathe is butted up against the wall. From the wall to the front side of the foot is 17".

Thanks! That could work! My table is 24" from the wall to the front. What's the dimension to the front of the lathe? I need to see how much this would hang over. We walk by here all the time and I don't want anyone getting snagged on controls.