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Owners poll- 18" X 47" lathes

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Hello all,

I thought it would be interesting to know how many owners of either the Laguna 18x47, or the Grizzly G0698 18x47, or the Busy Bee 18x47 or even the Hare & Forbes "woodmaster 18x47" read this forum.

Also, to have you post which model you own, and what your experiences have been with your machine [what you like about it, or what you might dislike].

For those owners who have had your lathe for a while, how has the performance been, and has any "hunt" at below 100 rpm been noticed, and has it affected your ability to turn, sand or get good results? Other issues as it relates to getting aftermarket accessories, etc.

This kind of information from owners will most likely give a good idea of the quality and performance of this line of machines, and will establish a base for comparison to other lathes on the market. Admittedly, there will be some subjectivity to each owners perceptions, but it will give a sense of the true nature of this line of lathes.

Thanks for participating in this poll of owners....
 
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I don't have any of those lathes yet, but I do stand in front of my Delta 1930's double duty lathe & dream about having one every day. I even got a phone call from Laguna today they wanted me to purchase their lathe. I can see the $1300 that Grizzly wants for their lathe but not the $1854 Laguna wants just not sure what it has that makes it worth $554 more + the cost of shipping. I can go right to Grizzly & pick the lathe up. Still dreaming in Oak Harbor, Washington.
 
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Keep on Dreaming Bart

I don't have any of those lathes yet, but I do stand in front of my Delta 1930's double duty lathe & dream about having one every day. I even got a phone call from Laguna today they wanted me to purchase their lathe. I can see the $1300 that Grizzly wants for their lathe but not the $1854 Laguna wants just not sure what it has that makes it worth $554 more + the cost of shipping. I can go right to Grizzly & pick the lathe up. Still dreaming in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Bart,

Don't give up on your dream........ they do come true in time, and with hard work. Our challenge is patience and persistence.

The only difference I can identify between the Grizzly G0698 and the Laguna 18/47 is that the Laguna has a longer spindle which allows for the hand wheel, and of course the paint color. Other than that, what we have discovered from the posters on the other thread is that they are pretty much the same machine.

I am looking forward to the day you will be able to post a "tool gloat" and will be smiling ear to ear with a beautiful project that you have just turned. :D
 
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my first question may be getting answered

My question that it would be interesting to find out how many owners of an 18"x47" lathe by any manufacturer has been posted for 3 days now, and so far no response from other owners.

I don't know if there are not that many owners who read this forum, or there are some that are unaware of the inquiry, or some just don't want to engage in this thread.

I think this line of lathes has a lot to offer in value and features, however, there may not be all that many that have been put to use in shops across the nation or even internationally. I thought at least the model from Busy Bee, the Craftex 128 owners would be a fairly substantial group.

The answers to the other questions would help those who are considering this line of lathes to be able to get a sense of owners experiences. I hope that owners will begin to respond. Thanks :)
 
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18/47 laguna

Well...Laguna told me last wednesday(after I had called 3 times) that my replacement lathe has shipped out. I called the shipping company today, and they said that they have not picked up anything from them yet or been billed.

Stability is another issue which is caused by the weak bed that is used. I have 280 lbs of sand on it and it has a fair amount of movement from side to side.

Other than the motor hunting, and the fact that the centers don't line up no matter what I do. They are about a 1/32 off from side to side. I guess I could file the headstock and tailstock but am supposed to get a new one.

Roger...I know you are going to say something positive about them, like they are going to take care of you, or they will resolve the issue. LOL. I am trying to stay positive, but when you turn for a living, and you tools don't work like they should, it makes it tough to deal with.

I should have bought the grizzly, at the least their customer service is excellent.

Kevin
 
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Something positive?

Well...Laguna told me last wednesday(after I had called 3 times) that my replacement lathe has shipped out. I called the shipping company today, and they said that they have not picked up anything from them yet or been billed.

Stability is another issue which is caused by the weak bed that is used. I have 280 lbs of sand on it and it has a fair amount of movement from side to side.

Other than the motor hunting, and the fact that the centers don't line up no matter what I do. They are about a 1/32 off from side to side. I guess I could file the headstock and tailstock but am supposed to get a new one.

Roger...I know you are going to say something positive about them, like they are going to take care of you, or they will resolve the issue. LOL. I am trying to stay positive, but when you turn for a living, and you tools don't work like they should, it makes it tough to deal with.

I should have bought the grizzly, at the least their customer service is excellent.

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

I "hope" they will take care of you. It sounds like you got a unit that was not properly inspected by quality control, as they let slide the line up of the centers. This sounds like sloppy machining and inspection to me.

Sometimes I think the factory workers over in China, just "think this is going to America, and I will never have to worry about it." They don't understand that even though something is made in China, that we who purchase still want quality and value for our hard earned money.

Let us know how things go with the replacement. It could be that Laguna is going over what they ship to you this time in an effort to get things right with the second machine.

Anyway, lets hope that is what they are doing. I will not be positive about this at all, unless they make it right for you. If the second lathe is not better than the first, then I would demand a refund, and would take those dollars to another vendor like Jet or [you fill in the blank].

The Laguna and Grizzly are the same machine, just painted differently and the Laguna has a longer spindle which will accept a hand wheel. They are made in the same factory as you know, and I guess I got a unit that was properly inspected, and machined.

One question on your alignment of centers. When you lock down you headstock and tail stock, do you think you may be putting any side torque on the lever and it pulls to the side a little? Maybe lining up the centers before locking down might help, but without seeing it myself, that is only a guess in the dark.

Just for your information, on this forum yesterday there was a guy who had bought a Jet 16/42 evs-2 and had to have the motor replaced, and this has occurred with other owners as well, but Jet seems to be aware, and where complaints have come in, they are replacing motors.

I guess that with anything made in China, there is always a little chance being taken. Unfortunately, for us it should not be that way.
 
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laguna

I just talked to laguna, they said they had bad information about the lathe that has shipped. It isn't there, they have to wait till their new shipment comes in at the end of the month. LOL!!! Are you kidding me?

The centers don't line up when it is locked or loose. I am going to take a file to it today since I have found out that I will be stuck with the one that I have.

I wish I had the money for a robust, made in Wisconsin.
 
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Sounds like the old "runaround"

I just talked to laguna, they said they had bad information about the lathe that has shipped. It isn't there, they have to wait till their new shipment comes in at the end of the month. LOL!!! Are you kidding me?

The centers don't line up when it is locked or loose. I am going to take a file to it today since I have found out that I will be stuck with the one that I have.

I wish I had the money for a robust, made in Wisconsin.

Kevin,

I can't say I would feel any different than you do if I were in your situation with Laguna. If companies would give us, the customer, accurate and reliable information when we call, and not give us the "runaround" it would be nice.

I believe there are people in customer service whose job it is to uphold image and sales of the company, no matter what. The best way to build a good reputation, is to shoot straight with the customer. What the customer needs is dependable information, supplied by people in the know, and not some "sales jockey" whose job it is to answer the phone when it rings!

I hope you will get a "date certain" on when the new lathes are supposed to come in, and that Laguna will stand behind their warranty for you.

You know something, now that I think about it, Grizzly has a back order till June, and now you tell us that Laguna has a back order as well. I wonder if the issue is the factory having problems filling the orders, and are rushing things while not fully vetting the quality control and inspection process?
 
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Hope ya don't mind me joining in here.I just got my grizzly about 3 weeks ago. After getting it set up and turning it on, it made a heck of a sound. well i called grizzly and they suggested that i check the pullys. Well luckly they just needed to be ajusted. it was loose and just needed tighting.:) As far as the back order thing. after paying (online) i get a e-mail saying it was on back order.:mad:. I called them 2 days later after cooling off. well the guy i talked to told me that they had processed my order and it was to be sent out in 24 hrs. all right now i don't no what to belive.:confused: Get up 2 days later and head to work only to get a call from the wife,saying that a shipping co called and wanted to no when they could deliver my package.:D Well as i work less than 4 miles from there co, i call and tell them i'll just swing by and pick it up at lunch. Sorry so long winded will shout up now. so far i'm real happy with it. time will tell.
Steve
 
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Glad to hear of your purchase

Hope ya don't mind me joining in here.I just got my grizzly about 3 weeks ago. After getting it set up and turning it on, it made a heck of a sound. well i called grizzly and they suggested that i check the pullys. Well luckly they just needed to be ajusted. it was loose and just needed tighting.:) As far as the back order thing. after paying (online) i get a e-mail saying it was on back order.:mad:. I called them 2 days later after cooling off. well the guy i talked to told me that they had processed my order and it was to be sent out in 24 hrs. all right now i don't no what to belive.:confused: Get up 2 days later and head to work only to get a call from the wife,saying that a shipping co called and wanted to no when they could deliver my package.:D Well as i work less than 4 miles from there co, i call and tell them i'll just swing by and pick it up at lunch. Sorry so long winded will shout up now. so far i'm real happy with it. time will tell.
Steve

Hello Steve,

I am glad you took the time to post. We need to hear from other owners of the Grizzly G0698 other than myself.

Grizzly went the extra mile for me for delivery, because when it was originally scheduled, I had to be out of town. They pushed and got me a delivery over a week early, and I was happy with customer service.

This lathe I have has performed very well, and as you have found out is loaded with features which make it a very good value. If you have been following the other thread on this lathe, then you probably have read about the "hunt" at very below 100 rpm on the low belt setting [ higher rpms on the high belt setting] This is nothing more than the way their inverter is programed so as to keep the motor from overheating, which gives longevity to the motor and electronics.

Turning at 100 rpm or sanding at this speed is really a snails pace, and it does not matter in the end result one gets, it is just a preference thing for some individual turners.

When you get a couple projects under your belt with this lathe, post about your experiences. As for me, I am a happy camper!
 
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good lathe- much less capacity

That Delta 46-460 Midi is looking better all the time.

Hi Bart,

I hope you will take a look at the previous post of Steve Bellenger, who just got his Grizzly G0698, and seems to be happy with it, before you give up on this model.

The Delta you mentioned has a good reputation from owners, and is less in cost and capacity which may be a deciding factor for you. If you can swing the extra cost, then I still like the Grizz, because of the features and capacity in swing and between centers, and the headstock can be move around for most any turning configuration.

I am not trying to sell you on anything, at all. I will rejoice with you in what you are able to get. I just hope it does not turn out that you buy something and then wish you had gotten the other one that you really wanted.

Even the Powermatics and Delta's are made in China, and from what I've heard from posters on this and other forums, there is an occasional problem with any make. I just think the China manufacturers could do a better job at quality control and inspection for all makes!
 
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clarification on model you purchased

Hope ya don't mind me joining in here.I just got my grizzly about 3 weeks ago. After getting it set up and turning it on, it made a heck of a sound. well i called grizzly and they suggested that i check the pullys. Well luckly they just needed to be ajusted. it was loose and just needed tighting.:) As far as the back order thing. after paying (online) i get a e-mail saying it was on back order.:mad:. I called them 2 days later after cooling off. well the guy i talked to told me that they had processed my order and it was to be sent out in 24 hrs. all right now i don't no what to belive.:confused: Get up 2 days later and head to work only to get a call from the wife,saying that a shipping co called and wanted to no when they could deliver my package.:D Well as i work less than 4 miles from there co, i call and tell them i'll just swing by and pick it up at lunch. Sorry so long winded will shout up now. so far i'm real happy with it. time will tell.
Steve

Steve,

Just for clarification, did you get the G0698 18/47 lathe or another model such as the 16/42 version?
 
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Even the Powermatics and Delta's are made in China, and from what I've heard from posters on this and other forums, there is an occasional problem with any make. I just think the China manufacturers could do a better job at quality control and inspection for all makes!

Both Powermatic & Jet have 5 year warranty. How long is the Grizzly warranty?

Not all watches made in Switzerland are Rolex or Omega. I think we have look at each individual brand and product. I love my Jet mini, but I didn't like my ex Jet 1236.
 
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Both Powermatic & Jet have 5 year warranty. How long is the Grizzly warranty?

Not all watches made in Switzerland are Rolex or Omega. I think we have look at each individual brand and product. I love my Jet mini, but I didn't like my ex Jet 1236.

One year but it was long enough for all seven of my Grizzly tools to out live the Jet & Powermatic 5 year warranty by several years & still going strong.
 
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Grizzly warrenty

Both Powermatic & Jet have 5 year warranty. How long is the Grizzly warranty?

Not all watches made in Switzerland are Rolex or Omega. I think we have look at each individual brand and product. I love my Jet mini, but I didn't like my ex Jet 1236.

Hi Gordon,

The G0698 warranty is 1 year. I do know that all machines have different specs and some are manufactured to a little higher specifications. That being said, posters on this and other forums have stated problems of one sort or another from time to time with a number of different brands from China manufacturers.

Admittedly some machines have fewer than others. The jets are having some motor problems, others other types, but my only point is that I believe that the quality control and inspection should weed out faulty machines or ones that the machining tolerances left centers not aligning with one another.

My Grizzly G0698 is doing well in all departments, for which I am very glad, and I would like that to be the case for all purchasers of all models. China has a bad reputation on some brands, and they could improve it if they would.

We do not hear these issues with American manufacturers and that speaks volumes about quality control and quality in general.
 
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Steve,

Just for clarification, did you get the G0698 18/47 lathe or another model such as the 16/42 version?

Roger yes i did get the go698 18/47.And i have turned a few pieces on it. One piece i all ready posted here, it's a small cherry vase. i just posted a few days ago and it's on the galary pics.
As far as Bart i'm sure he has seen my lathe over on a different site, that we bouth belong to. happy turning and have nothin but fun doing it.:D. I no i will.
Steve
 
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G-r-e-a-t

Roger yes i did get the go698 18/47.And i have turned a few pieces on it. One piece i all ready posted here, it's a small cherry vase. i just posted a few days ago and it's on the galary pics.
As far as Bart i'm sure he has seen my lathe over on a different site, that we bouth belong to. happy turning and have nothin but fun doing it.:D. I no i will.
Steve

Thanks Steve for clarifying the model. I will look up your turning on the gallery. I am going to have to figure out how to post a couple pics of my own turnings.
My computer skills are probably worse than a kindergartner's is. . .:D

Steve, I looked at your cherry vase.... quite nice! Very nice sanding job and finish. Cherry is one of my favorites to turn.
 
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Hi Gordon,
We do not hear these issues with American manufacturers and that speaks volumes about quality control and quality in general.

Yes, I believe there is no free lunch. I would love to have a 8" Baldor grinder, but the trouble is I don't want to pay $600+ for one. Quality control cost money. Probably the rejects from Baldor are running smoother than the majority of the $60 grinders from the discount places.

If a $5k US made lathe doesn't have better quality than the lathe that cost a quarter of it, the company won't stay in business long. The rest that fight for the price leader would have to compromise something.

The less expensive cut of beef would not be as tender and juicy as the tenderloin even they were coming from the same cow. BTW, the same butcher may trim the waste from the expensive cut neater as well.

Sorry for the OT rambling.
 
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Butcher analogy

Yes, I believe there is no free lunch. I would love to have a 8" Baldor grinder, but the trouble is I don't want to pay $600+ for one. Quality control cost money. Probably the rejects from Baldor are running smoother than the majority of the $60 grinders from the discount places.

If a $5k US made lathe doesn't have better quality than the lathe that cost a quarter of it, the company won't stay in business long. The rest that fight for the price leader would have to compromise something.

The less expensive cut of beef would not be as tender and juicy as the tenderloin even they were coming from the same cow. BTW, the same butcher may trim the waste from the expensive cut neater as well.

Sorry for the OT rambling.

Gordon,

I have many years of experience as a meat cutter [butcher is a long past term, negative connotations I guess]. Having been in both meat cutting and wood cutting, I find quality is important in both.

I guess I digress a little in going into this line, but here goes. . . .I always hated it when I went into a market and saw what is known in the business as "hunk and chunk" meat cutting. That defined is just throwing a hunk of meat in a package and putting it out for the consumer without proper trim, grain orientation, package presentation and a number of other quality issues like too much fat in the hamburger, you name it.

Quality, I felt was always a reflection of my own character. If I would not want to feed it to my own children, then why should I push it off on some other persons children?

Some may call me uneducated in modern manufacturing, but quality builds a company for the long term. I would rather have 1000 satisfied customers than 1000 that were mad at me for cutting corners and putting out a bad product.

Just throwing a machine out there, and not being concerned with the customers service and satisfaction is simply a reflection of the character of the people who make the decisions in manufacturing.

The old axiom is true... "you get what you pay for." That being said, we understand the difference between a $5k machine and a $1500.00 one. In the case of the Grizzly G0698 [at least the unit I got when I purchased] there has been a good combination of value, features and quality, which is what made this machine an attractive alternative to the $5k machines.

It seems to me that since they got my unit right, the others could have been gotten right as well. It is just a matter of quality and inspection. If they could give me quality at the price I paid, why not give quality to all the others who purchase, whether Laguna or Grizzly, or whatever?

Also, Bart Leech put me on to the quality control engineer for Grizzly who spends considerable time at the factory in china, and that may account for the differences in my machine being right, and some others not being inspected with rigorous quality control standards. I do not know for sure if that is the case, but the QC guy was really helpful to us concerning the programming of the inverter and the specs of the Grizzly unit.
 
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what if you need a headstock

I think I am going to return my lathe to laguna. I asked the sales guy, If you are sold out of lathes what would happen if I needed a whole new headstock? His reply was I don't know what to tell you. They rob parts from lathes that they have in stock. If they are out, you are out.

Jet and Powermatic are able to get you parts. I wouldn't be able to get my new lathe from laguna until mid july. It may be a bit more expensive, but at least it isn't a gamble
 
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what to do?

I think I am going to return my lathe to laguna. I asked the sales guy, If you are sold out of lathes what would happen if I needed a whole new headstock? His reply was I don't know what to tell you. They rob parts from lathes that they have in stock. If they are out, you are out.

Jet and Powermatic are able to get you parts. I wouldn't be able to get my new lathe from laguna until mid july. It may be a bit more expensive, but at least it isn't a gamble

Hi Kevin,

If you are that dissatisfied with your lathe, can you just exercise the warranty and just send it back for a refund? Then you could purchase a Jet perhaps in the same price range. Grizzly got a unit to Steve Bellinger who posted in this thread about 3 weeks ago, if you wanted to take that chance.

I was in the shop a little yesterday, and I looked my G0698 over real well, and checked the center alignment, and it is dead on. Of course, I had to file a little off the bottom of the tailstock, because the tailstock center was about 1/64th high, due to a little paint on the edge, and a little machining sluff off. Just a few strokes with a flat file took care of it.

I don't know for sure if there is any difference in the Quality Control that Grizzly has at the manufacturing plant than for the Laguna line, but I do know for sure that Grizzly will take the unit back if you re-crate it for a full refund. If it were me, knowing what I know about un-crating, I would just loosen the bolts that hold it down, and with only the top of the crate off, then I would move the centers to see if they align before I uncrated it all the way.

I think that I got a good unit, and it has run flawlessly for me, and I think that Steve Bellinger is happy with his G0698 as well. The Jet 16/42 has had some motor problems, but Jet seems to be replacing them for those who got bad motors. I have heard a few folks have had to have the replacement motor also replaced, but Jet is working at solving the issue for them.

Let us know what you decide to do. I hope things work out well in the end, and you don't have to be without a lathe for very long. :(
 
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I own a Laguna 18/47

I have owned a Laguna 18/47 since August 2009.

Shipping = I got it before Laguna said I would with no issues.

Points = They line up perfectly, no filing needed.

Hunting = Either on high or low speed pulley, both in forward and reverse I run my lathe below 100 RPM to apply finish and have never had any speed hunting.

Warranty = My tool rest post was too big, it would fit the regular banjo, but it wouldn't fit the Outboard Turning Accessories banjo. Due to Laguna warranty I had a new one in two days (I'm in WI), and they didn't want the old one back. So I cut the old one down to an 8" tool rest.

I've turned almost every day since I got this lathe and enjoy it very very much.

I've just ordered a vacuum set up from Tom @ JT Turning tools. Last week he and I worked through dimensional needs he had. He's making a new spindle handle for the Laguna that will take his standard vacuum adapter. I'm looking forward to getting it set up.

Roger - Sorry I didn't see this post request until today. I'm not on the forums much, no more that once or twice a week. Since I've contracted this "turning bug" I'm almost always found out in the shop.:D
 
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jet lathe

Well, I am going to get the jet 16/42 and send the laguna lathe back. Is there anything that you guys know about the lathe that would be useful such as problems? Does it have constant torque?
 
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Good luck with your choice

I was looking real hard at this lathe. I am getting my tax return this week and will be ordering a Jet 1642 2hp.

Hi Mike,

I hope you have good luck with your choice of the Jet 16/42 -2. I almost purchased this lathe before I decided on the Grizzly G0698. The extra capacity in swing and distance between centers was a deciding factor for me, and mine has turned out great.

There have been posters on this an other forums that have had to have motors replaced by Jet because of knocking problems. Jet seems to be trying to take care of it for those who report the problem. Just be aware of it so you can monitor yours.

I think the Jet is a good lathe, and most owners are happy with it.... I only wish that those who have gotten the Laguna 18/47 had not had the issues they did. Most purchasers of the G0698 from Grizzly have been happy from what they have posted, with the exception of the one I know of who returned because of the hunt below 100 rpm.
 
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Vac system for G0698

I have owned a Laguna 18/47 since August 2009.

Shipping = I got it before Laguna said I would with no issues.

Points = They line up perfectly, no filing needed.

Hunting = Either on high or low speed pulley, both in forward and reverse I run my lathe below 100 RPM to apply finish and have never had any speed hunting.

Warranty = My tool rest post was too big, it would fit the regular banjo, but it wouldn't fit the Outboard Turning Accessories banjo. Due to Laguna warranty I had a new one in two days (I'm in WI), and they didn't want the old one back. So I cut the old one down to an 8" tool rest.

I've turned almost every day since I got this lathe and enjoy it very very much.

I've just ordered a vacuum set up from Tom @ JT Turning tools. Last week he and I worked through dimensional needs he had. He's making a new spindle handle for the Laguna that will take his standard vacuum adapter. I'm looking forward to getting it set up.

Roger - Sorry I didn't see this post request until today. I'm not on the forums much, no more that once or twice a week. Since I've contracted this "turning bug" I'm almost always found out in the shop.:D

Hi again Tom,

After your last post I contacted Tom at JT Turning Tools, and I will probably get the same system you are getting. I have to wait just a bit, so as to take care of some other more pressing issues.

I am glad that your experience with your Laguna 18/47 has been all positive. I don't understand why the alignment problems for Kevin, or the hunt that he also experienced. Maybe they changed the specs so as to keep the motors from overheating when run for long periods of time at low speed? [who knows, why they do what they do?]

It seems to me that since they got your Laguna right, and they got my Grizzly right, that they could get them all right [what do you think?] I am thinking it is a quality control/inspection issue and it is being let slide in the factory for some reason. It just really seems odd to have this level of difference between owners who are satisfied, and others who are mad.......go figure. :confused:
 
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only one problem being posted about

Well, I am going to get the jet 16/42 and send the laguna lathe back. Is there anything that you guys know about the lathe that would be useful such as problems? Does it have constant torque?

Hi Kevin,

From what I can tell from posters on this and other forums is the reported "knocking" problems in some of the motors. Jet seems to be addressing this by replacements for those who report the issue to them.

From owners who have the Jet, most are really happy with their lathes. I think you will like it, as it is well made. I have looked it over a few times at Woodcraft stores, and almost decided on this one, before I purchased the Grizzly. I like it a lot; it just does not have the extra capacity of the Grizzly, but most turners will not use all the capacity of the Jet, anyway.

Good luck on the Jet. I hope it will serve your needs very well.
 
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Hi again Tom,

After your last post I contacted Tom at JT Turning Tools, and I will probably get the same system you are getting. I have to wait just a bit, so as to take care of some other more pressing issues.

I am glad that your experience with your Laguna 18/47 has been all positive. I don't understand why the alignment problems for Kevin, or the hunt that he also experienced. Maybe they changed the specs so as to keep the motors from overheating when run for long periods of time at low speed? [who knows, why they do what they do?]

It seems to me that since they got your Laguna right, and they got my Grizzly right, that they could get them all right [what do you think?] I am thinking it is a quality control/inspection issue and it is being let slide in the factory for some reason. It just really seems odd to have this level of difference between owners who are satisfied, and others who are mad.......go figure. :confused:

Roger - All I know is that in August 09 since I got my lathe and started turning, by focusing on turning everything from 36" logs into bowls down to replacement Walnut finials for an antique table, this lathe has performed flawlessly.

I'm a project manager in new product development with a long history in quality departments. I've been doing this for 25 years. I work for a company that develops and produces there own products in Wisconsin. We are the leader in our industry world wide due to two things. First and foremost is customer service and a close second is by providing leading edge technology that works as expected every time you use it. But we're not the cheapest.

I think the level of difference between owners is due to different factors;
- With an inexpensive product (like these lathes) the manufacturing tolerances are looser so more parts will "pass" inspection(less rejects), therefore lowering costs. But then each lathe may be just a little different. In addition the manufacturing purchaser may buy accessory items like live/drive centers, motors, controls, pulleys, drive belts, knobs, etc. from different vendors based on cost. So there are more differences between the same model lathe that are possible.
- One bad experience with a customer service person at a company sets the tone every time you think of that company. You will probably not do business with them again if it was negative. And you certainly won't have a good opinion of them. I must admit though I usually "set up" customer service people to succeed on my behalf by telling them the story of how good the customer service is at the company I work at.

I wish I owned a Robust Lathe, American made, high quality, superb customer service. If we all owned one we wouldn't be talking about points lining up, hunting motors, or poor customer service though.;)

There needs to be a lathe mall. Then we can go and try every lathe made and buy the unit we just tried.

But we're in this discussion because we chose to buy a lathe that spec wise could take care of a lot of different turning needs/wants for a low cost. I think we all got what we paid for, but that doesn't mean we like what we got.
 
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Some good points, Tom

Roger - All I know is that in August 09 since I got my lathe and started turning, by focusing on turning everything from 36" logs into bowls down to replacement Walnut finials for an antique table, this lathe has performed flawlessly.


I think the level of difference between owners is due to different factors;
- With an inexpensive product (like these lathes) the manufacturing tolerances are looser so more parts will "pass" inspection(less rejects), therefore lowering costs. But then each lathe may be just a little different. In addition the manufacturing purchaser may buy accessory items like live/drive centers, motors, controls, pulleys, drive belts, knobs, etc. from different vendors based on cost. So there are more differences between the same model lathe that are possible.
- One bad experience with a customer service person at a company sets the tone every time you think of that company. You will probably not do business with them again if it was negative. And you certainly won't have a good opinion of them. I must admit though I usually "set up" customer service people to succeed on my behalf by telling them the story of how good the customer service is at the company I work at.

I wish I owned a Robust Lathe, American made, high quality, superb customer service. If we all owned one we wouldn't be talking about points lining up, hunting motors, or poor customer service though.;)

There needs to be a lathe mall. Then we can go and try every lathe made and buy the unit we just tried.

But we're in this discussion because we chose to buy a lathe that spec wise could take care of a lot of different turning needs/wants for a low cost. I think we all got what we paid for, but that doesn't mean we like what we got.

Hi Tom,

You might just have a real insight into the dissatisfaction of some, and the general issues of different vendors supplying parts so as to keep costs down for the manufacturers.

The difference in what some American companies do, [it seems to me] and the China manufacturers is that they have way too lax QC standards in the first place. Back in Feb. of 2009, I took my first look at the Laguna 18/47 and asked the president of our local wood turning club his opinion, and he printed off some pictures he got off the web of this lathe with alignment problems with the centers.

The lathe has excellent features for the price, and one would think that the manufacturers should realize that if they let machining tolerances slide, then it ruins the whole concept of a featured lathe for a reasonable price, and they end up loosing their niche in the marketplace.

I am thankful that mine is right. I don't know if there is a difference in inspection with the Grizzly line than that of the Laguna line? :confused:

If they can get some of them right, they should at least get MOST??? of them right, don't you think? I question the inspection process and the attitude of the people responsible for allowing those units that are not right to go ahead to the market without re-working them to bring them up to specs.
 
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customer service

Although the people I have spoken with on the phone have been easy to work with, nothing has been done. It has been over a week since I have told Laguna to refund the money and pick the lathe up. I have recieved nothing from them yet.

I will not stray from my local Woodcraft again. Lesson learned.
 
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What works for you

Although the people I have spoken with on the phone have been easy to work with, nothing has been done. It has been over a week since I have told Laguna to refund the money and pick the lathe up. I have recieved nothing from them yet.

I will not stray from my local Woodcraft again. Lesson learned.

Hi Kevin,

I really hope things work out well with your new Jet. Woodcraft is a great company, with a lot of good folks that are very helpful.

Let us know how it goes, once you get things up and running, and when you can, post some pictures of your work. :)
 
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QC - Who Pays?

Hi Tom,

You might just have a real insight into the dissatisfaction of some, and the general issues of different vendors supplying parts so as to keep costs down for the manufacturers.

The difference in what some American companies do, [it seems to me] and the China manufacturers is that they have way too lax QC standards in the first place. Back in Feb. of 2009, I took my first look at the Laguna 18/47 and asked the president of our local wood turning club his opinion, and he printed off some pictures he got off the web of this lathe with alignment problems with the centers.

The lathe has excellent features for the price, and one would think that the manufacturers should realize that if they let machining tolerances slide, then it ruins the whole concept of a featured lathe for a reasonable price, and they end up loosing their niche in the marketplace.

I am thankful that mine is right. I don't know if there is a difference in inspection with the Grizzly line than that of the Laguna line? :confused:

If they can get some of them right, they should at least get MOST??? of them right, don't you think? I question the inspection process and the attitude of the people responsible for allowing those units that are not right to go ahead to the market without re-working them to bring them up to specs.


Hi Roger, You mention "the China manufacturers is that they have way too lax QC standards" I think it comes back to the company that is paying the China manufacturer. Look at our lathes, as well as the Powermatic, they are all made by the same China manufacturer yet PM is a better product. I expect PM has very strict QC standards they require be fullfilled, as well as pulling their own QC inspection on incoming product. You have to pay for that extra work as well as the parts that will be discarded due to failing inspection, now you get to pay for it. That's why the PM can be made by the same China Mfg. as Laguna, Busy Bee, and Grizzly, but you get different results by spending less on QC, which also keeps the costs down.

I expect that Laguna, Busy Bee, and Grizzly do not QC their lathes, they expect their manufacturer to do it.
 
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Hi Roger, You mention "the China manufacturers is that they have way too lax QC standards" I think it comes back to the company that is paying the China manufacturer. Look at our lathes, as well as the Powermatic, they are all made by the same China manufacturer yet PM is a better product. I expect PM has very strict QC standards they require be fullfilled, as well as pulling their own QC inspection on incoming product. You have to pay for that extra work as well as the parts that will be discarded due to failing inspection, now you get to pay for it. That's why the PM can be made by the same China Mfg. as Laguna, Busy Bee, and Grizzly, but you get different results by spending less on QC, which also keeps the costs down.

I expect that Laguna, Busy Bee, and Grizzly do not QC their lathes, they expect their manufacturer to do it.

I suspect the manufacture has to pay for the failed parts because they are the ones that didn't meet minimum requirements. Not Grizzly, Jet,Laguna or PM.

Having talked to Bill Crofutt of Grizzly Ind. it is my understanding they have their own QC reps. on site.
 
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i've been comparing the 2 lathes, the laguna and the grizzly. other than supposed electronic differences does anyone know of any major ones, the only other thing i cant come up with is wether or not the laguna's bed ways are cast iron or not. just trying to pick some brains oh yeah, its my first post. thanks in advance. Chris
 
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I "think" they are cast iron

i've been comparing the 2 lathes, the laguna and the grizzly. other than supposed electronic differences does anyone know of any major ones, the only other thing i cant come up with is wether or not the laguna's bed ways are cast iron or not. just trying to pick some brains oh yeah, its my first post. thanks in advance. Chris

Hey Chris,

I think that I am correct when I say they are cast iron. From all the pictures I have looked at they seem to be the same as the Grizzly G0698, but if I am not I would like owners of the Laguna to set us straight on this detail.

Good luck on your choice. It was nice speaking with you over the phone today....:)
 
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differences

Chris, I don't know that anyone is sure of electronics differences. There is however one clear difference. Laguna has extended the spindle and added an outboard thread for a hand wheel. The hand wheel is supplied with the lathe. I have a two year old Laguna and while I don't particularly miss a hand wheel some folks would not be without it. My two year old Laguna has cast iron ways
 
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I own a Laguna 18/47

i've been comparing the 2 lathes, the laguna and the grizzly. other than supposed electronic differences does anyone know of any major ones, the only other thing i cant come up with is Werther or not the Laguna's bed ways are cast iron or not. just trying to pick some brains oh yeah, its my first post. thanks in advance. Chris

Hello Chris,

My Laguna 18/47 (purchased August 09) has cast iron ways, legs, head stock, tail stock, banjo and tool rest. If you get the outboard turning accessory that is also cast iron.

My Laguna has a hand wheel and the Grizz does not. Having a hand wheel is making it easier to set it up for vacuum chucking. JT turning tools is creating a new hand wheel that the vacuum adapter will plug into. I know that Tom of JT is working on how to outfit the Grizz like Roger has, having a hand wheel would make that easier.

I use my hand wheel every time I turn.

Good luck in quest to make wood go around. Just a heads up, you may want to figure about double the cost of the lathe overall. There are a lot of accesorries one with a lathe can buy.:)

Good luck

Tom
 
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Q/C reps could account for differences

I suspect the manufacture has to pay for the failed parts because they are the ones that didn't meet minimum requirements. Not Grizzly, Jet,Laguna or PM.

Having talked to Bill Crofutt of Grizzly Ind. it is my understanding they have their own QC reps. on site.

Bart,

If Grizzly has their own quality Control reps on site, then perhaps the inspection and monitoring of the manufacturing process is a little tighter than with other models of this line up of lathes.

I guess this is most likely privileged information that the individual companies probably hold as private, and there is most likely no way for the individual customer to make an apples to apples comparison from one line to the other.

"IF" indeed there is tighter inspection with the Grizzly line, then maybe that is why the centers align better, although, a couple of the posters in this thread have gotten the Laguna's and are very happy, and their machines seem to be very well made, just like my Grizzly G0698.

I have never heard of any claims made by either company about their inspection/ QC process and how it might relate to the other's process. So, this is speculation on my part.

I just wonder about the differences, and why some units have problems when others don't. I want all the purchasers to have a good unit and good experience.
 
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misalignment of centers reported on Jet

I just read a thread on SMC forum about Jet 16/42 centers not aligning correctly, and it has some suggested fixes by other owners who had the same problem with their lathe.

I find this interesting in light of the discussion on this thread related to centers not aligning, and the fact that it was an issue that was a killer for some as it related to purchase of the Laguna 18/47 or Grizzly G0698.

It seems that this problem can and does happen with the "big boys." This makes 2 problems being posted about by Jet owners, first, the knocking in the motors, and now alignment problems with the centers. I don't think there is any more risk with the 18/47 models than others that have been on the market longer.

I appreciate the fact that information does eventually come out because we turners post our experiences, but wouldn't it be great if we could get all the info before we decided which machine to purchase? I think it would also be great if we had "all the information" before we post on small bits of it. I would liken it to a jigsaw puzzle without all the pieces in place. [kinda hard to tell what the true picture really is] I guess we all have to filter the info available, and see where we are willing to take a leap of faith.

My Grizzly G0698 is dead on in the alignment, and I am glad I purchased it.

Addtional: the thread is "Is there a fix for centers not lining up" and in the thread one poster notes that his Nova had the same problem. Just interesting I think.
 
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