To me, the deciding factor between the two would be if you want a QCGB and be able to switch between threading and turning/feed rates without having to change physical gears. That's a big reason I'm upgrading from my Atlas 618 to the 1236T (and almost ordered the 1228).
What I personally could not determine with absolute clarity is if you setup your gears on the 1130 for threading but then want to switch to power feed for turning (a much slower feed rate than threading) do you still have to switch back the gears?? I could live with only having to change gears when going to a different TPI for threading. However, I don't believe that's the case even with the 1130 having a separate drive shaft and lead screw for different operations. The 1130 power feed may be geared down depending on lead screw (threading) vs feed shaft operations, I just couldn't find a definitive answer.
For example... you setup your gears for 10 TPI. You do your single point threading operation and now want to go back to turning and power feeding... change gears again. Want to go back to 10 TPI and back to power feeding, that's changing gears twice. If I'm correct, knowing myself, I wouldn't be changing gears and subsequently wouldn't be single point threading
. How much effort is all personal preference/tolerance. Keep in mind, many just use taps and dies and you always have the option of an electronic lead screw so there is never a simple answer. I would have no reservation with ELS if PM or others provided an easy, bolt on, plug in version... but it appears to be a "project" in itself at the moment, certainly with the help of others and their components, it's just what do you want to take on. All this rant, is only relative if you plan to do threading.
It's not a huge range, 15 options to be exact, but if you do most imperial threading, the 1228 gives a decent range on single gear setup. Just note, there's no odd # TPI, that you will have to change gears.
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I guess it's pretty clear.. I'm not a fan of changing gears... that's coming from my irritation on doing it a couple times on my Atlas 618... maybe these machines are easier or more enjoyable.
Another thing is the electronic differences between the 1130 and 1228. You'll want to confirm to get your own understanding and comfort level as well. The 1130 uses a more traditional VFD AC inverter setup and I believe that translates to easier finding parts/replacements/support if anything goes wrong. The 1228 is a proprietary brushless DC motor controller setup, so you are limited to PM getting parts from manufacturer. They do support it. I've talked to a couple different people from PM on this, one says 1130 has better electronics and the other says not to worry about the proprietary'ness of the 1228. Some camps despise BLDC motors, some don't. It's not conclusive.
Ironically, I looked at both 1130 and 1228, landed on the 1236T. A huge reason was the QCGB and overall quality improvement of the Taiwan versions but and I'd actually prefer the variable speed controllers out of the box in 1130 or 1228, regardless of electronics.
My input to be taken with a grain of salt... but I have had the same quandary in my decision making recently. I wish it all came down to size of lathe and good, better best... if it was only that simple.
Regarding weight... everyone with knowledge in this area says more weight, more better
. You'll hear often, it's not easy to add iron after the fact... but I think both are in a similar class weight wise.... make sure it's on a rigid stand/setup.