PM 1340GT Purchase, Delivery and Setup

PrecisionEcho · Jun 19, 2020

Hello,

I finally reached a point to getting my PM 1340GT up and running and I wanted to share my journey.

I have always been fascinated with the idea of doing precision rifle barrel work. 6 years ago, I started looking at the Grizzly Gunsmith lathes. At that time (with my limited knowledge of precision lathes) the quality of the Grizzly gunsmithing lathes looked high quality and one of the only budget gunsmith lathes I could find. In December of 2019, I called Grizzly to get information about their Gunsmithing lathes. The Grizzly salesperson advised me the lathe I wanted is out of stock.

After discovering the hobby-machinist forums related to the PM 1340GT and seeing all the feedback, I called Precision Matthews and got all my questions answered quickly. I made the decision to place an order for the 3-phase configuration, #2 Preferred equipment package, and the PM DRO. I was told my lathe package would be delivered in January.

While looking through the hobby-machinist forums, I came across Mark’s (mksj) VFD conversion and control system/panel upgrade work and knew this was exactly the route I wanted to go. As soon as I made contact with Mark, he was amazingly helpful with getting me started.

I soon learned Mark lived about 30min away and he invited me over to check out his machine shop. After he showed me everything, I wrote him a check to get started on the control system upgrade. Mark provided me the documents to build the VFD control box which was super simple based on his parts list instructions.

During my visit, Mark suggested I upgrade from the PM DRO to the Easson ES-12B which includes the third z channel. My plan is to eventually install a scale on the tailstock. I called PM, paid the difference, and chose to have them install it. Which by the way saved me some time cleaning off the thick cosmoline.

My package included:

Control system upgrade
Control panel upgrade
Tachometer hall sensor and digital display
Proximity sensor
Custom spider
And priceless consultation!

After a month, I received an email from Mark that my control system and panel was built and to bring the VFD cabinet I built.
He made some adjustments to my VFD cabinet and configured the settings on the VFD. After everything was tested and setup, Mark provided a document to install everything on the lathe.
Installing everything was very easy based on Marks's instructions. I was up and running quickly.

My next purchase was the BXA Dorian tool post. Little did I know you can’t install this tool post on the lathe out of the box. I consulted with Mark and he gave me a drawing with the specs I need to turn and thread the post with M16-2 on one end and 5/8-18 on the other.

This was a great opportunity to try my new proximity sensor during the threading operation. See the picture of the tool post below for the final result.

parshal · Jun 19, 2020

Strange. It says I do not have permission to view the pictures.

It sounds like you followed the same path I did for making rifle barrels except I'm not 30 minutes from Mark. That prox sensor makes threading stupid easy.

Congrats on the purchase and setup!

zjtr10 · Jun 19, 2020

“Strange. It says I do not have permission to view the pictures.”

Don’t feel bad I got the same message

wrmiller · Jun 19, 2020

Pictures are permission(?) locked. Welcome to the 1340GT club!

I have Mark's super duper gismo as well. And the Dorian tool post. I didn't make a new bar though, I made a new t-nut.

I don't do much rifle work other than the occasional AR-15/AR-10 work. I do mostly pistol stuff. I bought a Pratt Burnerd 8" 3-jaw setrite chuck for my lathe and use it for darn near everything. Best darn chuck I have ever owned.

Enjoy your lathe!

Buffalo21 · Jun 19, 2020

Permission!! We don’t need no sticking Permission!!

microshop dinker · Jun 19, 2020

That movie still cracks me up; so many good one liners. And did (still does) "push the limits". Sammy

PrecisionEcho · Jun 19, 2020

Apologies gentlemen. I updated the gallery permissions. Let me know if you can see the gallery. Iol. I can see it from my end.

PrecisionEcho · Jun 19, 2020

parshal said:
Strange. It says I do not have permission to view the pictures.

It sounds like you followed the same path I did for making rifle barrels except I'm not 30 minutes from Mark. That prox sensor makes threading stupid easy.

Congrats on the purchase and setup!

Thank you! Agreed! So far in all my threading projects, the prox sensor has been spot on. I'm truly happy with this setup.

PrecisionEcho · Jun 19, 2020

wrmiller said:
Pictures are permission(?) locked. Welcome to the 1340GT club!

I have Mark's super duper gismo as well. And the Dorian tool post. I didn't make a new bar though, I made a new t-nut.

I don't do much rifle work other than the occasional AR-15/AR-10 work. I do mostly pistol stuff. I bought a Pratt Burnerd 8" 3-jaw setrite chuck for my lathe and use it for darn near everything. Best darn chuck I have ever owned.

View attachment 328161

Enjoy your lathe!

That jig you have holding the 1911 barrel in place looks very convenient. Is that a product of your own development?

wrmiller · Jun 20, 2020

PrecisionEcho said:
That jig you have holding the 1911 barrel in place looks very convenient. Is that a product of your own development?

Yes. I can grab it in either my collet chuck or my 3-jaw. Once zero'd, I simply insert the proper sized spud (38 Super/9mm, 10mm, .45 cal) and put the barrel on the spud. Then I can turn or thread barrels knowing I'm concentric with the barrel's bore.

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PM 1340GT Purchase, Delivery and Setup

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