[OP]
Member
I have a jet 1014I and I like it for pens and small works but I am wanting to add a larger lathe for, well larger things. I saw a Shop Fox W1758 for 569 shipped on ebay. Reviews were ok for what I could find. I am wondering if anyone has experience with a 500 ish lathe that is good quality. Grizzly has one that has nice features but I do know how the quality is. If I can afford it id like to have at least a 14 inch swing and 1.5 to 2 hp motor which the shop fox has.
Any info please...
"To me, there's nothing freer than a bird, you know, just flying wherever he wants to go. And, I don't know, that's what this country is all about, being free. I think everyone wants to be a free bird." - Ronnie Van Zant
Member
Karl, Shop Fox is Grizzly's retail line (usually sold at retail dealers) and many of their machines are identical or nearly so. I have a band saw and jointer from them and they have been good. But, in regards to the lathe...
As for whether to spend the money; don't. Lathes in the $500 range are not worth the investment for they fall into something of a no-man's land. The 16" swing on that Shop Fox is pointless since the low speed (600 RPM) is too high to take advantage of the swing. It is really too high for even a 12" lathe and is a reflection of why Grizzly has largely had a bad reputation for their lathes being poorly configured.
Jake
Member
On Google it has it at Tools & More
$526.67 new
Contributor
I have seen a Shop Fox and I surely wouldn't buy one. The low speed of 600 rpm with a unbalanced bowl blank would scare me to death. The guy that has one only does spindle turning and that is fine. Like I said unbalance bowl blanks, Hollow Form blanks, etc would not be good. The only lathe in the $500 to $600 range would be the Delta 46-460. Next step would be a Nova 1624.
Bernie
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.
To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.
[OP]
Member
thanks folks, that is what I needed to know...
Ill have to do some digging and see what I might find used..
"To me, there's nothing freer than a bird, you know, just flying wherever he wants to go. And, I don't know, that's what this country is all about, being free. I think everyone wants to be a free bird." - Ronnie Van Zant
Member
Good point on price Bernie. I didn't even think about the new Delta since I was thinking of full size lathes.Originally Posted by Bernie Weishapl
Karl, a used Nova 16-24 would potentially be in your price range, provided you can find one. If I were in your shoes that is what I would be looking for. But they aren't exactly on every corner. I was thinking about getting one and adding variable speed to it, but I have yet to run across one for sale (that isn't hundreds of miles away). On sale they go for about $800 so maybe save a little more and watch for a sale somewhere.
Contributor
I purchased the new G0698 Grizzly 18x47 on Jan. 1,2010. I have used it and put it through its paces, and I can tell you it really performs. It has great features that match up with most higher end lathes. It has 2 hp motor, reversing, variable speed control, 1-1/4" spindle, quill travel of 4-3/8 inches, has 18" swing and 47 inches between centers, and weighs around 500 lbs.
The introductory price is $1295.00 and will probably go up when the new catalog comes out. The way the inverter is programmed, the machine has a little hunt below 100 rpm, but it is not an issue, as that is a snails pace for any turning. the speeds are 0-1200 rpm on the low belt setting, and 0-3200 on the high belt setting. This is a GOOD lathe in my opinion, and has more swing and distance between centers than the Jet 1642 evs, which is highly lauded on this forum.
I have turned on a PM 3520b and other lathes as well, and from what I have experienced, this new G0698 has very similar performance and features as the 3520b.
I am not a salesman for Grizzly, but this lathe is a cut above what they have carried in the past, and they have good customer service. This model takes a second look, and should not be dismissed out of hand, because the performance and features are definitely there with this lathe. [imho]
Last edited by Roger Chandler; 03-02-2010 at 5:55 PM.
Member
So from what i can see you guys dont like the speed.
Well that could be an easy fix with a VFD would it not?
the price of this lathe is $500-$600 and if you add the VFD
would still only be $700 to $800 with all the power
and swing that the $1200 to $2000 lathes.
Would seem to me this is one of the best buy on the market today.
Thanks Karl
Contributor
Karl,
The experienced turners on this forum have a really good idea of what is on the market, and many have seen this lathe up close and personal. What they are trying to do is to help you to understand that when you compare lathes, and their track records, then you can really get a good sense of what the experience has been with different models.
The shop fox w1758 is not near as heavy a machine as you most likely would want, and it has what is some call "an articulating tool rest" which is another way of using an extension arm to make the tool rest not near as solid as the ones you see on a Jet, Powermatic, etc. This extension arm has been known to malfunction, vibrate and in a few cases break on some machines. Some owners have posted about this in the past on forums.
When a lot of turners have already gone through what you are doing [trying to find the best lathe they can for the money they can spend] then they have discovered what you likely will also in your inquiries and gaining from other's experiences.
I looked seriously at the shop fox, and then after noticing the features and heavy machining on other lathes, then ruled out the shop fox. A lot of this will depend on what you believe you will be turning. If you are going to do smaller projects only, [pens, goblets, spindles, candlesticks,etc] then you don't need the heavy cast iron of a machine weighing 500 -800 lbs.
Budget concerns always enter the equation also. If this lathe is in your budget, but a Jet costs too much, then you have to factor that in, and you might be fine with the shop fox. I don't think that the shop fox is a "bad" lathe, but it is lighter weight, has limits on the slow speed [600 rpm is pretty fast for a slow setting especially for sanding, and turning out of balance bowl blanks, etc.] You will be limited to some degree by this issue, but for you it may not be anymore than a minor annoyance.
If price is a big concern, and you believe that you only want to do small to medium sized turnings, then the new Delta Midi that many have gotten and have posted about seems to be well thought of, and would be in the same price range as the shop fox, and has variable speed. Hope this helps.
Member
Karl,
The experienced turners on this forum have a really good idea of what is on the market, and many have seen this lathe up close and personal. What they are trying to do is to help you to understand that when you compare lathes, and their track records, then you can really get a good sense of what the experience has been with different models.
The shop fox w1758 is not near as heavy a machine as you most likely would want, and it has what is some call "an articulating tool rest" which is another way of using an extension arm to make the tool rest not near as solid as the ones you see on a Jet, Powermatic, etc. This extension arm has been known to malfunction, vibrate and in a few cases break on some machines. Some owners have posted about this in the past on forums.
When a lot of turners have already gone through what you are doing [trying to find the best lathe they can for the money they can spend] then they have discovered what you likely will also in your inquiries and gaining from other's experiences.
I looked seriously at the shop fox, and then after noticing the features and heavy machining on other lathes, then ruled out the shop fox. A lot of this will depend on what you believe you will be turning. If you are going to do smaller projects only, [pens, goblets, spindles, candlesticks,etc] then you don't need the heavy cast iron of a machine weighing 500 -800 lbs.
Budget concerns always enter the equation also. If this lathe is in your budget, but a Jet costs too much, then you have to factor that in, and you might be fine with the shop fox. I don't think that the shop fox is a "bad" lathe, but it is lighter weight, has limits on the slow speed [600 rpm is pretty fast for a slow setting especially for sanding, and turning out of balance bowl blanks, etc.] You will be limited to some degree by this issue, but for you it may not be anymore than a minor annoyance.
If price is a big concern, and you believe that you only want to do small to medium sized turnings, then the new Delta Midi that many have gotten and have posted about seems to be well thought of, and would be in the same price range as the shop fox, and has variable speed. Hope this helps.
Roger,
I don't believe the Delta is in the same class as the Shop Fox.
Delta only has a 1 hp motor and a 12” swing.
Karl is looking for 14” swing and a 1-1/2 to a 2hp motor.
I think you may need to jump up on lathe size a little bit.
As for the articulating arm I do not believe you “have to” use it....
I do believe I addressed the speed control by using the VFD for an extra 100 to 200 bucks.
The Nova 1624-44 Lathe same class lathe has the VFD and is $600 more.
Not sure I see the “heavy machining” on a desktop lathe like the delta midi.
I would more over be willing to spend my money on upgrades then the lathe it's self.
14” swing 2 hp motor $500.00 I'm sold
Contributor
Hey guys....let's tone this down a little.
Everyone has a right to their own opinion.
Having an opinion doesn't make anyone right or wrong...just opinionated. Okay?
Ken
So much to learn, so little time.....
Member
One thing that Grizzly (Shop Fox), Sears and a lot of other sellers do, is over advertise the HP of their motors.
In the case of the Shop Fox (same lathe as Grizzly G0462), the manual claims it draws 14 amps at 110V...that equates to a little over 1 HP...not the 2 HP they advertise. A true 2 HP motor, at 110V would draw around 19-24 amps.
Member
Eric, the Nova 1624 does not have a VFD (though it is almost $600 more). The Nova however is not the same class of lathe; it is regarded as one of the best non EVS lathes and fit/finish is very good. Also, the low speed (via belt change) is much lower than the Shop Fox. It is also configured to allow outboard turning via an outrigger which the SF doesn't have. It is tried and true, though a bit pricey for what you get. The DVR is true EVS, but even more money and a different kettle of fish altogether.
As for retrofitting the SF with a VFD, you also need to swap the motor and other bits, so you would need to add about $500-600 for the retrofit, and of course the time to do so. By that time you are in the price range of the new Grizzly with EVS, so it wouldn't seem to be money well spent (in my opinion). Plus the SF just doesn't have the mass (including robust head/tailstock) for turning large blanks at its max "capacity". Something about a silk purse and a sow's ear.
Member
I am not going to reply.
I only wish to thank Karl for posting.
Member
Eric,
Jake is correct about the VFD retrofit. You will need to buy a new three phase motor before the addition of a VFD will do anything! IMHO the Shopfox is not worth retrofitting.
You are correct that using the articulating tool rest is optional. You can take out the extension arm and use it in the normal fashion as I do with my Delta 1440 lathe.
Karl,
As Dick Sowa pointed out, the Shopfox might not fit your minimum HP requirements. My Delta 1440 lathe is rated for 3/4 hp but draws about 10A IIRC.
Last edited by Dick Strauss; 03-03-2010 at 11:04 PM.
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