G0698 18" X 47" Wood Lathe

[Rich Aldrich]

Anyone have a chance to check out this lathe? I know that many turners do not necessarily like the Grizzly lathes, but this one is interesting due to capacity and price.

One thing that is interesting is that it has single phase output. Almost all of the VFDs are three phase out. If I remember correctly, the drive is more complicated and I dont know that it is as reliable - I heard of manufacturers getting away from this type of drive.

My first real consideration is the Jet 1642. However, this one is interesting.

 

[john lucas]

Rich I believe it says the motor is 3 phase which means the output of the VFD is 3 phase. I believe they are trying to tell you it runs off of 220 volt single phase. They are calling it a single phase VFD but I'll bet that it's simply single phase in 3 phase out just like all the other lathes.
I don't know where you heard that other lathes were dropping these drives. If anything more manufacturers are picking them up. The New Delta mini for example uses a VFD.
As far as the lathe goes I've been trying to watch peoples responses on the Grizzly lathes and don't get huge amount of really bad press but not a lot of great press. It's a good price and probably worth the money. Grizzly products have improved since I owned several but I don't think they are at the top of the game yet.

 

[Steve Worcester]

the Griz works the same way, has single phase input to the VFD and the VFD converts it to 3 phase for the motor.

While not a fan of Grizzly, it looks a lot like the Powermatic.

 

[Roger Chandler]

CarpenterSpirit

Hello, I am new to this forum, and have owned a lathe for about 7 years, which recently broke a gear shaft[craftsman 351.217170] and cannot get replacement parts to repair it. I ordered the grizzly G0698 18x47 lathe on new years day. I did a lot of research, and it is the same as the Laguna 1847 and the Craftex 128 buy busy bee, only made to Grizzly's American specs. After over 3 years of manufacture they should have all the bugs worked out, and as far as I know it is manufactured in the same plant as the Jet and Powermatic's are, and has the features that are state of the art.
While I would like to have purchased a 3520b powermatic which is considered a "cadillac" lathe, this one is probably a pretty good 'Buick," so I believe that I can do well with it and Grizzly has an excellent reputation for customer service should any service be needed in the future, and the price was great at $1295.00 plus shipping.
It is scheduled to be shipped around Jan. 25th and when I get it set up [I have to change a circuit in my shop to 220v] I will give my initial impressions, and some ongoing reviews as I am able to use it to do new projects along.

 

[Rich Aldrich]

Rich I believe it says the motor is 3 phase which means the output of the VFD is 3 phase. I believe they are trying to tell you it runs off of 220 volt single phase. They are calling it a single phase VFD but I'll bet that it's simply single phase in 3 phase out just like all the other lathes.
I don't know where you heard that other lathes were dropping these drives. If anything more manufacturers are picking them up. The New Delta mini for example uses a VFD.
As far as the lathe goes I've been trying to watch peoples responses on the Grizzly lathes and don't get huge amount of really bad press but not a lot of great press. It's a good price and probably worth the money. Grizzly products have improved since I owned several but I don't think they are at the top of the game yet.

All of the lathes that I have read about are 3 phase output. There are versions of drives - not on lathes - that are single phase output which are being used less and less on equipment. They are more expensive and problematic than the 3 phase output versions. In searches that I have done, I can only find one company and it is in England that actually make the single phase output VFD drive any more.

You are correct that more and more lathes are being offered with VFD, but with 3 phase output. I try to be careful and not read more into an advertisement than is being said. I have been burned one too many times making the add say what I want it to say (also I have read adds wrong before) - I have learned to take it literal and ask questions - make the salesperson earn their money. I would hope that they are trying to stress that the input power required is 220V single phase. However, their ad is not clear, if that is what they are trying to say.

I just emailed Grizzly customer service to get this question cleared up. You are correct, the catalog and the add on the website both say that it is a 3 phase motor. I read it incorrectly last night before I made the original post. Sorry for the confusion. I think I know what the response will be.

 

[Rich Aldrich]

Hello, I am new to this forum, and have owned a lathe for about 7 years, which recently broke a gear shaft[craftsman 351.217170] and cannot get replacement parts to repair it. I ordered the grizzly G0698 18x47 lathe on new years day. I did a lot of research, and it is the same as the Laguna 1847 and the Craftex 128 buy busy bee, only made to Grizzly's American specs. After over 3 years of manufacture they should have all the bugs worked out, and as far as I know it is manufactured in the same plant as the Jet and Powermatic's are, and has the features that are state of the art.
While I would like to have purchased a 3520b powermatic which is considered a "cadillac" lathe, this one is probably a pretty good 'Buick," so I believe that I can do well with it and Grizzly has an excellent reputation for customer service should any service be needed in the future, and the price was great at $1295.00 plus shipping.
It is scheduled to be shipped around Jan. 25th and when I get it set up [I have to change a circuit in my shop to 220v] I will give my initial impressions, and some ongoing reviews as I am able to use it to do new projects along.

Roger,

I look forward to your appraisal of this lathe. Given my budget, I can buy a Jet 1642 and that is it. If I could buy the Grizzly, I could afford turning tools, sharpening guide, and a new slow speed grinder right away. I could probably even afford a chuck.

 

[Roger Chandler]

Hi Rich, I believe this lathe is a large cut above what a lot of the lathes in grizzly's line up have been in the past. A number of owners of the laguna and the other versions from busy bee [canada] and hare & forbes [austrailia] have been very pleased with the smooth and quiet performance and the power of the lathe, as well as the variable frequency drive which allows for a lot of torque at low rpm's.
Although this lathe is newly carried by grizzly, the machine has a track record of over 3 years world-wide and from what I understand the machining is first quality. Probably for the money, you won't find more lathe, more features, or more value. Grizzly is supposed to have first rate customer service, and should stand behind this 100%.
I did a lot of thinking and comparing and research before I took the leap, but I feel pretty good about it, and at $1295.00 I don't think I have made a decision that I am likely to regret. I am a stickler for precision and quality, so it won't take me long to get a sense of quality and performance. - good luck!

 

[Rich Aldrich]

John,

You are correct, the Grizzly 0698 does put out 3 phase. I heard back from Grizzly.

 

[daniel goulding]

grizzly or?

what about the shop fox lathe 16x43= w1758 2 differnt guys have them new on ebay shipped for 600.00 or less! anyboy know about these? its a great buy. thanks; daniel

 

[jimbob91577]

what about the shop fox lathe 16x43= w1758 2 differnt guys have them new on ebay shipped for 600.00 or less! anyboy know about these? its a great buy. thanks; daniel

Here are the problems with this lathe (it is identical to the Grizzly G0462):
- Power switch has a propensity to fail
- Alignment problems between headstock and tail stock
- You will need to add weight to it or fix it to your shop floor to turn rough cut timber larger than 5" in diameter.
- Digital Output has a propensity to fail
- If you decide to rotate the headstock to turn "outboard" you'll likely decide to use the articulating banjo - this will vibrate.
- The "spring screw" handles on the banjo will likely strip out.
- The low speed on the lathe (600 RPM) is fairly fast for roughing bowls larger than 8" diameter. Conversely, the 2400 RPM upper limit is a little slow for finishing spindles (I'd prefer 3200).

I have the grizzly model and these are the things I have experienced with this lathe. For what its worth - this has been a great lathe for me and for what I do, however my next lathe will be a lathe that addresses these problems, or at least the alignment, spring screws, and low/high speed problems. I'm going to look for an EVS model personally.

 

[Rich Aldrich]

what about the shop fox lathe 16x43= w1758 2 differnt guys have them new on ebay shipped for 600.00 or less! anyboy know about these? its a great buy. thanks; daniel

To add to Jimbob's comments, another thing about the ShopFox is that I saw a Shopfox and a Jet 1442 side by side at Woodworker's Depot in Green Bay. There is no comparison. The Jet and the G0698 look to be very similar.

First, the ShopFox bed is half the size of the Jet. The Jet 1442 is the same bed as the 1642 as far as I can tell - I have seen both Jets but not side by side. The ShopFox basically looks like a toy compared to the Jet.

The Shopfox is at about 6" shorter than the Jet. Sure you can put the Shopfox on some stands, but I would want it dancing off the stands with something unbalanced at 600 rpm.

I wouldn't look twice at a ShopFox W1758.

 

[Roger Chandler]

Recieved G0698

Hello,
I posted last week that I had ordered a Grizzly model G0698 18x47 lathe, and now I have received it, and wanted to post my initial impressions. I have turned on a powermatic 3520b, and some cheaper lathes such as Sears, and some others in-between. My experience is with bowls, table legs, lidded boxes, and a little hollow form turning.
The initial impressions I have after set up and running the lathe for a few minutes is that its quality is impressive for the price. It is smooth, but not a quiet as the 3520b powermatic. It is machined nicely, and has a lot of heft as it comes in around 500lbs. The set up was easier than I expected, and it is pretty much ready to go if you can set it up without having to remove the headstock [which I did because I was by myself for most of the work] but that was a very minor thing. Once you get the legs bolted to the bed, it is a piece of cake.
I did notice that if you have the belt on the high setting [0-3200rpm], and want to go real slow [50 rpms] that the motor searches just a little, but when you move the belt to the higher tork setting [0-1200 rpm] then most all of that goes away. I did not have time to mount a blank of wood this evening, but I would imagine once a blank was chucked up, that searching would probably not even be noticeable. I simply did not have time yet to get into turning something, as I spent most of the day moving things around in my shop to set up this lathe and move other machines, as well as some electrical wiring for 220volt.
I will review further when I get to turn in the next few days, however, I think this lathe will rate very well, as I see quality in the machining and all the pulleys and switches and wiring look to be first rate. Nice for the price of $1295.00 plus shipping!

 

[Roger Chandler]

Grizzly G0698

Hi all,
I took a few minutes and did my first turning on my new Grizzly G0698 18x47 lathe. I had a piece of burl, and chucked it up, and was able to true it round at a higher speed than I ever could on my craftsman 15" lathe. The power and performance are definitely there with this machine. It was very smooth, and the tool rest, headstock and tailstock all locked on the ways very solidly.
I was able to turn at high speed, even though the burl was warped, but the machine did not vibrate or bounce, just solid quiet performance. The speed indicator shows my machine to go up to 3280 rpm's on the high belt setting and on the low setting it went to 1320 rpm's. It also looks to me that as the machine is run a while, the belts are getting "broken in" and the machine is getting just a bit quieter than when I first turned it on [this may be due to the cold weather, and the belt warming up as it runs.]
Based upon my initial impressions and my first turning session, it is my opinion [and I am truly trying to be objective] that I have made a good decision in my purchase, and the value is certainly there as well. To me quality and performance are everthing [the same with my automobiles and other woodworking tools] and from what I can tell so far, I am very pleased with my purchase.
Time will reveal the true quality and I have to say, the customer service of Grizzly Industrial has exceeded my expectations. They got my lathe to me earlier than they were supposed to, as I explained I had an upcoming trip out of town when it was scheduled for delivery, and they got it done for me on an early delivery! they have always been engaged in my questions as if they really wanted me to have a good experience with my order and my logistical problems for delivery.
If I had to do it over again, with just the current experience with this lathe, I would jump at it because of the value for the price, the quality I see in the lathe, and the professional level of customer service so far, and no I am not a grizzly employee, but an avid woodworker of 20+ years [just in case you were wondering . . . L.O.L!!!]
So far, so good! YEAHHH BABY!!!

 

[Vaughn]

Congrats on the new lathe, Roger. (I went from the 15" Sears lathe to a PM 3520B, so I sorta know how you felt the first time you powered it up.)

That lathe sure looks pretty good on paper...glad to see it's looking good in person, too. May it serve you long and well.

 

[Rich Aldrich]

Roger,

Thanks for the feedback. I have a couple of weeks before I can order my lathe, so I have a little time. I will probably contact you to see how things are going with the lathe and then probably order this lathe.

The only thing that could change my mind is if a friend of mine can get a really good deal on a distributor's employee discount for the Jet.

 

[Roger Chandler]

Hi Rich,
I turned a second piece last evening late. A cherry bowl blank that I had started when my other lathe broke. It was out of round, and out of balance by a good bit. The Grizzly G0698 flew through it like butter, as I had shavings pouring off the gouge like ribbons, on dry wood no less! The speed with which I can now turn at also gives me a better [smoother] finish, so there will be less sanding in my future,which is always a good thing!
To say the least, as of right now, I am one happy camper! If you do end up getting the Grizz, I don't think you will have any regrets, but if you are able to get the Jet, I think you will also be happy.
I almost bought the Jet myself the week between Christmas and New year, but decided the extra capacity and the price was a deciding factor for me, and now I am glad I made the choice that I did.

 

[Rich Aldrich]

Roger,

Thanks for the update. Sounds like it is a good lathe and that you made a good choice.

I think I will end up buying the Griz. I got the quote from my friend and you can buy the Jet cheaper through Tool Zone because of tax and freight.

This will also allow extra cash to buy more accessories.

 

[Roger Chandler]

additional Info - Grizzly G0698

hi all,
I wanted to give a little additional info on the G0698. I called tech support at Grizzly clarify a little confusion on my part about the motor. On one of the forums [I forget which one] someone stated that the motor is a DC motor, and I saw one advertisement that lists the lathe [one of the china suppliers] as DC also. I am a person who likes to know how things work.
The tech support guy at Grizzly told me that the motor is an AC motor, but that the inverter runs it off a DC pulse wave to make it 3 phase. That is why some call it a DC motor, but that is not technically correct I guess.
Also, regarding the machining of the ways and tailstock and head stock, it is really good. I noticed that when I brought the centers together to check the alignment, that the tailstock cup center was about 1/64th higher than the drive center in the headstock. I removed the tailstock and looked at the bottom of it, and noticed there was a little build up of what the machining process throws off, and took a file and smoothed it up with a few strokes, and now the centers line up perfectly.
The paint and machining left a little on the bottom, but the specs are real good I think. I am trying to give a true and honest assessment of this lathe, so others can gain knowledge based upon others experience.

 

[Mike Stephens]

Thanks Roger.

I have been giving this lathe a good hard look and your feedback is greatly appreciated.

How about some pics? Can a hand wheel be retrofitted somehow?

Mike

 

[Roger Chandler]

handwheel retrofit

Hello Mike,
I asked the tech-support folks at Grizzly about a hand wheel accessory, and they say that at the current time they do not have a part for this, however, the Laguna folks have one for their 18x47 model[same lathe]. I don't know how the Laguna is fitted to the spindle, but on the Grizzly G0698, there are two holes that are tapped for threads, and perhaps that is how one is connected. I have been thinking about calling to see if I might get one from Laguna for my machine if they will tell me how it hooks up to the spindle.
One thing you should know. . . the hand wheel might be a nice accessory, but the way they have made the spindle with the indexing pin, it is not necessary because you can remove chucks, mount blanks, etc very easily without a hand wheel. Good luck!

 

[john lucas]

Roger Thanks for posting. I get a lot of questions about Grizzly lathes and it's good to hear from actual owners. It's about 200lbs lighter than the Powermatic 3520 which I'm sure accounts for a little bit of savings. Glad they are trying to improve their lathes.

 

[Mike Stephens]

Hello Mike,
I asked the tech-support folks at Grizzly about a hand wheel accessory, and they say that at the current time they do not have a part for this, however, the Laguna folks have one for their 18x47 model[same lathe]. I don't know how the Laguna is fitted to the spindle, but on the Grizzly G0698, there are two holes that are tapped for threads, and perhaps that is how one is connected. I have been thinking about calling to see if I might get one from Laguna for my machine if they will tell me how it hooks up to the spindle.
One thing you should know. . . the hand wheel might be a nice accessory, but the way they have made the spindle with the indexing pin, it is not necessary because you can remove chucks, mount blanks, etc very easily without a hand wheel. Good luck!

Thanks for the reply Roger. The indexing pin will work as a sort of spindle lock but I like to use a hand wheel to stop the lathe after I have turned the power off.

I saw that Laguna now has a hand wheel on there lathe when originally it did not. With any luck you will be able to get the hand wheel from Laguna and just bolt it up. Please keep us informed.

I am most likely going to take the plunge depending on how long the introductory price lasts.

Mike

 

[Roger Chandler]

handl wheel

Hi Mike,
you spoke of using the wheel to stop the lathe after turning it off; well, you should know that this Grizzly G0698 does not free wheel after turning down the speed dial or after hitting the stop button. It comes to a halt very quickly. I do not know if you do that as a time saver, but after seeing my machine come to a stop a number of times already, I took note of how soon it comes to a zero rpm. after turning the speed dial down, or pushing in the stop button.

Hope this helps a little! I will also be talking to Laguna about theirs, and to see if there is a flange and spindle extender to reach out of the motor side of the headstock, and also to ask if there is different cover required than the one that came with the lathe for covering the opening where the hand wheel would be located.

The only reason I would want a handwheel is so that I could turn the spindle by hand when using a screw chuck and mounting a blank on it.

 

[Mike Stephens]

Thanks again Roger. I did not know the lathe slowed down on its own. That sounds great.

You have been very helpful and hate to ask but I would love to see some pics taken by a fellow wood turner. I have not seen the lathe in person, only pics of the grizz, Busy Bee, and Laguna.

Mike

 

[Roger Chandler]

pics of G0698

Mike,
IF I can get my son to help me to post pics online I will be glad to do so. We have a digital camera, but my computer skills are from the prehistoric period when cave men roamed the earth. . . LOL! Seriously, I will try to do that sometime over the next couple of weeks provided I can coordinate with my son's work and college class schedule.
I'll say this, the Lathe looks pretty good sitting in my shop, if I do say so myself! [I'm not gloating, but I am truly thankful for God's blessings in my life]

 

[Roger Chandler]

Congrats on the new lathe, Roger. (I went from the 15" Sears lathe to a PM 3520B, so I sorta know how you felt the first time you powered it up.)

That lathe sure looks pretty good on paper...glad to see it's looking good in person, too. May it serve you long and well.

Thank you Vaughn, it is nice to have others rejoice with you when a blessing comes your way. Woodturners, I have found, are by and large a great bunch of folks to be associated with. I appreciate your encouragement.

 

[Roger Chandler]

Roger Thanks for posting. I get a lot of questions about Grizzly lathes and it's good to hear from actual owners. It's about 200lbs lighter than the Powermatic 3520 which I'm sure accounts for a little bit of savings. Glad they are trying to improve their lathes.

Hello John,

I'm glad to try to help others know this new product. Not everyone may agree with me on my appraisals of this lathe, but after turning on several others including the 3520b, and some smaller ones, these are my true assessments. I'm certainly not a novice at woodworking, as I have over 21 years experience, but others are certainly out there with more knowledge than I have, and I do not consider myself the definitive voice in all things in woodworking.

 

[Roger Chandler]

pics of G0698

Hi all,
It was requested that I post some pics of my Grizzly G0698 18x47 lathe. I was able to get my son to help with this, as my computer skills are lacking. Hope this helps anyone who wanted to see it in place in a small shop like mine.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Rich Aldrich]

Roger,

Thanks for the pictures. I was also wondering about a spindle lock and handle, so I have been following the posts.

 

[Vaughn]

Well...other than being far too clean, that's a fine-looking lathe, Roger. I suspect it'll get suitably dusted up before long. Based on the serial number, I wonder if yours is the ninth one off the line.

 

[MichaelMouse]

What's with the wire basket under the headstock? Whatever it's designed to hold would have to be pretty big with the space between wires.

Looks like that banjo may be to short to allow swinging the toolrest around a substantial diameter piece. Will the post go past 9" or is it like my old Delta, where you can't sneak it around for a trim-up?

 

[Roger Chandler]

serial number -G0698

Well...other than being far too clean, that's a fine-looking lathe, Roger. I suspect it'll get suitably dusted up before long. Based on the serial number, I wonder if yours is the ninth one off the line.

Hi Vaughn,
Regarding the serial #, I did get one of the first machines. Grizzly officially got their new catalog online on New Years Day, and that is the same day I ordered mine. The tech guys told me they got 10 units in the Muncy, Pa. warehouse, and I was one of the first 3 to order, so my machine is likely the 9th off the line for Grizzly's order.

 

[Roger Chandler]

Basket G0698

What's with the wire basket under the headstock? Whatever it's designed to hold would have to be pretty big with the space between wires.

Looks like that banjo may be to short to allow swinging the toolrest around a substantial diameter piece. Will the post go past 9" or is it like my old Delta, where you can't sneak it around for a trim-up?

Hi Micheal,

I think that the basket is a feature simply termed a "utility" basket. One could place sanding supplies, or lay their turning tools across the wires and have a gouge handy or whatever. One idea I had was to place a plywood bottom on it with the correct size holes to hold the different centers I have, and hold the knock-out bar, and a place to keep my chucks,face plates handy, but I am probably going to make me a new tool holder rack, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet.

Ideas would be welcomed! There is another thought that I had, because the legs have already got holes that are tapped with threads on both ends, I thought I might rig me an accessory holder and bolt it on; something like the one you see on the Powermatic 3520b, only a little bigger.

 

[Roger Chandler]

banjo length

What's with the wire basket under the headstock? Whatever it's designed to hold would have to be pretty big with the space between wires.

Looks like that banjo may be to short to allow swinging the toolrest around a substantial diameter piece. Will the post go past 9" or is it like my old Delta, where you can't sneak it around for a trim-up?

Hi Micheal,

I took time to measure the full extension of the banjo and toolrest, and the full extension of the banjo is 8 1/2 inches from the center. This would do well for most turnings, but I have a bowl rest and plan on getting a couple of aftermarket rests for specialty things, so I'll be good. The rest itself is 14 inches long, and so far I have not had any problems getting in behind my work. In fact I have to watch getting into the chuck itself as the rest extends plenty far towards the headstock.

Most of your concern I am sure is for very large turnings. I believe this is the same size rest that comes with the Jet 1642 evs, and it looks the same as those I have seen in the pictures. Both the tool rest and the banjo are beefy.

 

[Mike Stephens]

Thanks very much Roger for taking the time to share.

I do appreciate your effort and will seriously consider the Grizz.

Mike

 

[earl timmons]

blank on screw chuck without hand wheel

Just a comment on the need for a hand wheel when mounting a blank on the screw chuck. I will have owned a Laguna 1847 for two years this Feb. I have turned 17 inch bowls to pens on it and am very happy with it. The low end speed control and torque is so good that I can easily let the lathe screw the blank on by simply holding it to the chuck. The lathe can turn at less than 10RPM. Now I would not mount a chuck or anything like that in this manner for fear of cross threading but that is hardly an issue with a screw chuck and a piece of wood,

 

[Roger Chandler]

Hand wheel

Just a comment on the need for a hand wheel when mounting a blank on the screw chuck. I will have owned a Laguna 1847 for two years this Feb. I have turned 17 inch bowls to pens on it and am very happy with it. The low end speed control and torque is so good that I can easily let the lathe screw the blank on by simply holding it to the chuck. The lathe can turn at less than 10RPM. Now I would not mount a chuck or anything like that in this manner for fear of cross threading but that is hardly an issue with a screw chuck and a piece of wood,

Earl,
I agree with you on the hand wheel. The only reason I would feel the need for one, is to use it to mount a blank on a screw chuck. I do see that it could easily be done without a hand wheel, by using the lowest r.p.m.

I am glad also to hear of your good experience and satisfaction with your Laguna model of the 18x47 lathe. It is encouraging to hear others who have a track record with this machine speak of their satisfaction.

 

[Paul Singer]

I noticed in the 2010 catalog that the G0698 was listed for $1295 as an introductory price so I got concerned that they would up the price in the near future. I am very interested in this lathe but will not be home until april to make the purchase so I called Grizzly and they told me that price would stay the same until the 2011 catalog came out. Now there is nothing case in stone about this but I thought I would pass this along to anyone that was considering this lathe in the future. I found it interesting that this lathe is priced less than the G0632 which is a smaller lathe with less features.

 

[Al Longo]

went to try and look at one

Went by the Springfield Miswsouri Store to try and see one up close, they don't have one on the floor yet and the guy said he has no idea when they will, or when they will start keeping them in stock. Too bad for me, I have money burning a hole in my pocket and want to buy lathe before the kids in college get it. Al

 

[Roger Chandler]

In stock -Muncy,Pa. Warhouse

Went by the Springfield Miswsouri Store to try and see one up close, they don't have one on the floor yet and the guy said he has no idea when they will, or when they will start keeping them in stock. Too bad for me, I have money burning a hole in my pocket and want to buy lathe before the kids in college get it. Al

Hello Al,
The tech guys told me they got 10 units of the G0698 at the Muncy, Pa. Warehouse for their initial order. They might have a couple or so left if you give them a call.