I am looking at the Grizzly 12"X37" Belt Drive Gap Bed Lathe G9249(See link below).
Here is the deal. My parent have decided to give me a Grizzly mill/lathe Model G4791 for my birthday (I know I am very, very lucky) and I don't want to turn them down. But I do want to get a lathe that is capable of doing some barrel work. It sounds like the lack of slow speed (250RPM min) on the G4791 is going to be a problem so I am looking at a Lathe only Grizzly G9249 (50RPM Min).
I don't need to be able to build a rifle that would win the Super Shoot but I don't want build myself junk either.

My other problems in getting this is I am going to have a hard time saying "I don't want a Grizzly I want an XYZ" You know, kind of like looking a gift horse in the mouth. Also I know nothing about lathes so it would be next to impossible for me to look at a used lathe and determione if it was any good.

So I guess what I am asking is of the Lathes Grizzly makes is one exceptable for hobby/home gunsmith work and if so which one. Here are the one I am looking at:
G9249
G4002
G4003
http://www.grizzly.com

Thanks in advance.
Jeff in ND

Jeff- I don't know how much Lathe experience you have, but here is my opinion. I have a Jet 13X40 Gap bed Lathe thats virtually the same as the Grizzly and a little bigger than the one you describe, but costs 3 times more. The skinny is that Jet buys the best Chinese Junk. What they pass over is bought by Grizzly and Enco/Rong fu buys whatever Grizzly rejects. I personally don't know if it's true, but it may well be so. My Jet will maintain pretty close tolerances, but it falls apart every time I use it. Last weekend the tailstock hold down lever broke and I had to weld it up! Seems like something breaks all the time. Many parts are pinned together and the pins fall out. of course at the worst time. The center rest is junk. The motor and gearing are Ok and for $2K it's a good starter Lathe and you can learn to thread barrels on it and chamber, just be aware its gonna have problems. All in all it's probably a much better investment than an old beat to hell southbend etc. Send me E-mail if you want more info,-Rob

You are a spoiled person. Forget the Lathe. Tell your folks you want an older brother for your birthday and I will send you my paperwork...

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when shopping for a lathe. You want a large enough lathe that you can fit a full length barrel between centers easily. A 36" is excellent. Unless you are turning brake drums a gap bed isn't really a neccessity, but if it comes with one, then what the hell. You want a decent size hole through the spindle and it looks like the Grizzly offers 1 and 7/16". This is okay.

Belt Drive v.s. Gear Head Drive? My first lathe was a belt drive Jet lathe and to this very day I wish I still had it. Changing the belt position to change speeds didn't slow things down very much. I got really quick at changing them. Looking at those models you listed, I see the belt drive model comes with a heavy duty stand. Looking for a place to put the lathe is a whole lot simpler if it has it's own stand.

It looks like the lathes you listed offer a good range of threading options. I personally would never consider buying a Combo Lathe/Mill unit.(NOT THET THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM) I would prefer a dedicated machine of each type myself, which I have.

Which ever lathe you get, make sure repair parts are readily available and that there is good customer support. Do some checking around and ask for some references who you can contact who might give you some further insight to the Grizzly brand of tools. I have never heard of this brand but that don't mean anything. Make sure they have a good track record before you lay out good money.

Malm

I got a 13 X 40 belt drive on the advice of Cliff LaBounty. He has forgotten more about lathe work than I will ever know. Cliff did say that the belt helps to eliminate harmonics that can come from the poorer cut Chinese Gears.

I have never had any trouble with mine. They said they wrung mine out real well and put all the bad parts on a lathe bound for someone in San Mateo Ca. (sorry couldnt help it Rob). When I price the Jet versus the Grizzly the prices were about the same. I don't know any thing about the grizzly dependability.

Jeff,
I have the g9729 that is more than adquete for the serious hobbist (me). I have the runout way down, and I am more than happy with it's performance. Since this is not a shared powerplant, it has all the benefits of having both a small mill, a good lathe, and a fantastic drill press. It also will do, with a decent operator, very fine cuts. It does cut chambers and threads well.

Downsides
1: I had to "cobble" the base ( i can email you the details) from a g4004, and make adjustable bases for that stand, to level it.
2: no 4 jaw chuck, out of the box, but you can easily make one work
3: gear change for threads. But, hey, that's what it's $1400
4: you MUST buy a mill vise, or the mill is too short in travel.
5: HORRIBLE instructions. Like it was written is barely litterate chinese, and then sent through babblefish to translate.

Up side
1: EASY to use
2: pretty shout machine
3: 3/4hp motor, each, for lathe and mill
4: uses' 1/2" tools
5: did i mention cheap?

For what you would buy the bigger one for (and I can't imagine using it, and it's too fast) you can buy the 9729, tools, assecories, shipping, and still save a good bit.

cheers
jeffe

I bought a Jet 1236PS new in 1986 & have never had any problems with it. This lathe was made in Taiwan though.

Thanks for all the advise both here and in personal e-mail.

I think I am going to go with the Grizzly 12"X37" Belt Drive Gap Bed Lathe G9249 and start having some fun.

G.Malmborg - I'm not spoiled, at least that is my story and I am stiking to it. So there;-)
Also, unless you are older the 38 (Today) you would just be another little brother and I already have one of those, and he is spoiled!

Good Hunting
Jeff in ND