Est. 1998 — 28 years of woodworking knowledge
Grizzly G5979
Dennis Taylor (Akron, Ohio)
>I got a Grizzly ad today with this lathe on sale for 265.00 plus 55.00 shipping, it looks like the Jet 1236, does anyone have this lathe?...would anyone recommend this lathe?..I have a Jet mini, and would just like the longer bed...and Variable speed, I don't sell work, so it is just for fun!..tks..Dennis
Re: Grizzly G5979
Earl
>I don't know anything about that lathe but I did have a Grizzly G1495, the larger heavy duty lathe. I had nothing but trouble with it. Tool rest broke, the Reeves drive never worked properly, the motor burned up and the whole thing shook and vibrated like my ol' '36 Chevy. I finally gave it away. I was too ashamed to even ask anything for it. So if the 1495 is anything like mine, I'd be leary. I would want to talk to several people that have one that have good things to say about it.
Earl
Re: Grizzly G5979
John Showler
>I bought this lathe as a starter about 3 years ago. Does ok for smaller turnings (limited by 1/2 hp motor). Recently broke the sheeve pulley on the shaft. Took more than a month and 3-4 mailing to and from grizzly to get a "fix". Didn't have the right bearing, sent a replacement bearing housing (old housing = cast iron, new = aluminum) had to machine the aluminum to make it fit blahblahblah. Also had to replace the handles that lock the tool rest several times. Potted metal fittings inside kept wearing out.
On the positive side, I've turned tons and tons of pens, and a fair amount of bowl sized things. Good for "learning".
Plan to sell it and get the Jet 16" lathe. Looks like a winner.
John Showler in NJ
Re: Grizzly G5979
mikeM
>Dennis: I have the HF clone to your lathe. I have just started turning and so far have made about 40 pens. I like the machine and cost was under 200.00 but adding on all the other goodies really shot the price total up a bunch. I will wait till I get real good at turning before I upgrade. for now this is a keeper. Mike
