Thread: Recently bought a Grizzly g1495, opinions please

Based on the info posted on the site, 14 inches over the bed and 17 inches in the gap between the turret and the start of the bed. A 14 inch diametre bowl is not an insignificant size and I would be happy to have that sort of capacity, not to mention a steady supply of logs capable of producing such diametres.

Am I right in assuming that you think that the sales info on the website is wrong? I ask this because i had no trouble finding out the answers and suspect that you are perhaps not happy with the reality.

Originally Posted by dirk1609

I bought this lathe based on it turning capicity and price
Based on the sales info what do you beleive its bowl turnig capicity to be?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Heav...od-Lathe/G1495

I asked because i wanted to see if others have found the same thing I did. 12 to 14 inches is why I bought it and paid too get it to hawaii.

The tool rest will only allow a 9 3/4 inch bowl and that is if the bowl is starting perfecty round and centered.

I have asked to return the lathe based on false advertising and was told they would take it back minus all shipping costs, 10% restocking ans some other fees.
I really do not understand why I should pay for shipping when I basicaly wasnt shipped what I bought. It is falsly advertised. I am begining a stronger push to return it. I was just wondering what another turner would see

It is not false advertising.

The heights of the banjos are never taken into account because unless you turning spindles you never have the banjo under the bowl.

It will turn a 14"diameter bowl.

its the distance to the side that is the issue, not up and down. The actual tool rest itself is under 5 inches from center.

Do you own one of these lathes?

Have you moved the banjo right out?

It looks long enough to clear the outside of a bowl. It only has to be 7".

No, I don't own one.

Did your banjo come with an extension? The lathe shown in the link you posted doesn't show one, so I'm not sure if Grizzly includes one or not. If they don't then maybe you can convince them to supply you with one at no extra cost.

If you received an extension with your banjo, you should be able to turn bowls to the stated size.

Again, not seen or used this lathe, so just suggesting a possible solution.

Dirk,
I go along with the premise that you wont have the banjo under the bowl or hollow vessel. So that measurment is not critical, it will then do as the website suggests.

I have never to date had my banjo under any bowl I have been turning and I have done a few bowls in my time.

But your wise to quizz the details and on this forum you will get a honest answers to your questions.

banjo is not under the bowl. Its how far out the tool rest will extend off the bed that limits turning. The tool rest fully extended is under 5 inches from the center of spindle / faceplate. No extension is included or available

I asked Grizzly if they had a different tool rest set up and they said no. I then asked why they would make a lathe that could turn a 12 to 14 in bowl based on the bed to spindle measurements and then include a tool rest that limits it to less than 10 inches and they said it was industry standard.

Late yesterday I ended up with another issue as I broke the locking lever for the tool rest. Snapped right off while tightening.

Very unhappy with this purchase.

Bummer.

Originally Posted by dirk1609

I asked Grizzly if they had a different tool rest set up and they said no. I then asked why they would make a lathe that could turn a 12 to 14 in bowl based on the bed to spindle measurements and then include a tool rest that limits it to less than 10 inches and they said it was industry standard.

Late yesterday I ended up with another issue as I broke the locking lever for the tool rest. Snapped right off while tightening.

Very unhappy with this purchase.

I think you need to go to a few other vendor's sites and look at their setup. Banjo extensions are not uncommon, so saying their setup is "industry standard" just doesn't cut it.

Laguna Tools is located in California. No idea what their products are like as they aren't sold here in Oz, but it might be worthwhile contacting them and seeing if you can buy an extension from them (subject to the post sizes matching), or buy the entire banjo. I'm sure there are others, but that's what a quick google search turned up for me.

Just had another peek at the Grizzly website and their G0462 model lathe has the type of banjo I'm talking about.

Good luck and let us know how it all turns out.

this purchase has been very frustrating to me. I paid a decent amount to get this lathe to Hawaii based on its turning capicity. Now im out over $1100.00 and I dont have the lathe I needed or ordered. Grizzly has now offered to return the lath and give me a refund minus shipping and I pay to ship it back to them. This wouldnt be so bad if I wasnt in Hawaii. Back on the mainland I could just put it in the back of my truck and return it for $60.00 in gas. I will be out around $600.00 to $700.00 returning this lathe that I would not have purchased had it been advertised correctly. At this point it makes more sense to sell it at a loss then try to set aside enough money to make up the loss and buy a new one.
I am fighting this at every point possible though, with my credit card etc. I would also like to get the word out there to other turners that the lathe is falsley advertised.

Dirk,

I would take the matter up with "Papagrizzly" , S. Balolia, President, who started the company by buying old wood working machinery, rebuilding, and reselling.

I would get the email or mailing address from customer service and tell your problem to Mr. Balolia directly. Best in writing rather than by phone.

I am a member of Practical Machinist Forum. As a result of Mr. Balolia buying the remains of South Bend lathes and the conversations on the forum, I have a favorable impression of Mr. Balolia, and think he would treat you fairly.

Let us know how it all turns out.

Paul

Sounds like good advice Paul.
Dirk good luck

Dirk, I would ask the supplier if they have a longer banjo to fit that lathe.