Going to talk to Grizzly tomorrow and need advice

[Michael Cole]

I am dying thinking this over. From the advice I have gotten, I am going to go the electronic variable speed way. I am going to go with Grizzly as the others are a good $1000 more. I think I am down to these two models:GO766 or GO733. Either one is plenty big enough. People have reported good things about 766 but haven't read as much about 733. Obviously there is a difference in size 22" vs 18". The 733 is a little shorter which could be a plus for a 63 year old man with a bad neck, but I don't know if it is that much of a difference. The 733 is more expensive which is a minus, but why is it more expensive? If it is definitely better, then I would definitely go with it as the price difference isn't that much and shipping is the same.
Also, what accessories do I need right away?

[Shawn Pachlhofer]

Not familiar with Grizzly - so I had to look them up.

Assuming you meant G0766 and G0733

I would go with the G0766. I'd rather have the extra swing, and 42" length is plenty long for anything I will ever do.

Plus it has a 3HP motor, and the 733 has a 2HP motor. I'll take power any day.

Plus - th3 733 is on sale, so it's only $75 more than the $766.

$75 more...for 5" extra bed, less swing, and less motor? NO THANKS.

[Brian Kent]

The G0733 came first and was popular among the owners. The G0766 upgraded several parts. The 2 important dimensional differences are the slightly longer bed on the G0733 and the slightly lower center on the G0733. They managed to lower the price point on the newer G0766 while upgrading parts. If I get a Grizzly it will be the G0766.

Needed accessories: sharpening system (slow speed grinder and Wolverine / Oneway Vari-grind set-up), High Speed tools (I started with Harbor Freight and 2 tools from Thompson Tools) and a chuck.

[daryl moses]

I have the GO733 and it has been a great lathe. I purchased it before the GO766 became available. If I was going to purchase a new Grizzly lathe today I would go with the 766. I'm a shorty, and had to build a short platform for my lathe so adding a couple of inches for the taller 766 would not be a problem.
As for the difference in price? I have no idea. It was first speculated that the price for the 766 was an "introductory" price but who knows????

[Roger Chandler]

The G0766 has a handwheel, where the G0733 does not, and you have 4" more swing on the 0766. As far as space taken up in the shop [footprint] they are both similar. The 0766 has a 3 hp motor, and the 0733 has 2 hp.

One of the reasons that the price is so good on the 0766 is that the dollar is at a 12 year high against other currencies which purchases you more from other markets, and likely Grizzly negotiated a price point on these, as they are carving a niche in the large lathe catagory.

[David C. Roseman]

Michael, I've had my G0733 for four years, and added a G0766 eight months ago. Both are excellent lathes, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy both again. Grizzly has done a nice job with both. If you were to have any issues, though, their customer service is quite good.

If you think you'll be doing spindle turning that requires 47" of capacity (you can actually squeeze it out to 48" if necessary by removing the stop posts for the head and tail stocks), then the G0733 will give you that. Also, as you note, the floor-to-spindle height is 2" less because of the smaller swing distance over the bed (bed height is the same on both). But otherwise, I think the G0766 would bring you more for your money at the current price points, given the larger motor and over-bed swing capacity. Feel free to PM me if you would like to talk in more depth about either lathe.

[Geoff Whaling]

The 733 is a little shorter which could be a plus for a 63 year old man with a bad neck, but I don't know if it is that much of a difference.

Both have fixed cast leg designs which have a very limited height range and are next to impossible to modify if you wish to lower the lathe spindle height to a more comfortable working height. Best to get access to one to see if it is ergonomically comfortable for you. Working on a raised platform is not the wisest as we age. It introduces another slip, trip, fall hazard, which is not good for oldies. We don't bounce like we used too.

[James W Engle]

I do not understand how the 733 draws more amps than the 766? More horsepower should require more total watts. Anyone have thoughts on this, data from the Grizzly website specs for both lathe motors.

[Brice Rogers]

James, there has always been a lot of confusion about spec'd current draw. Sometimes it is peak, sometimes it is nominal, sometimes it is RMS (root-mean-square), sometimes it factors in the motor inefficiency, and sometimes it is just plain incorrectly stated. Also, there is equal confusion about motor HP rating - - sometimes off-shore motor mfrs put higher ratings on their motors.

I think that in the case of the G0766 the specs are just plain really wrong. I think that the G0733 specs are more reasonable but also a little strange.

[Mark Greenbaum]

Michael, where are you lcoated? Perhaps someone on this forum has a Grizzly of ether flavor and lives near you. It would be best to try one on for size and make sure it fits you and your turning style. I purchased mine blindly, and I am about 5'-11" tall and shrinking, and the G0766 fits me pretty well. I may add a pad or 2 to the floor, but that's all I need. It's plenty powerful, and I love it.

[Brice Rogers]

Both have fixed cast leg designs which have a very limited height range and are next to impossible to modify if you wish to lower the lathe spindle height to a more comfortable working height. Best to get access to one to see if it is ergonomically comfortable for you. Working on a raised platform is not the wisest as we age. It introduces another slip, trip, fall hazard, which is not good for oldies. We don't bounce like we used too.

I'm finding that the height of the G0766 is a bit high for me. I am responding to your post because you mention that it is "next to impossible to modify". I've contemplated four solutions:
1. Build a platform (and risk injury WHEN (and not if) I stumble and fall - - this could be an expensive option)
2. Cut off 2 or 3 inches from the legs and make a set of four metal leg pad holders that bolds to the remaining length of legs.
3. Hire someone to core drill my concrete slab (~ 6" dia ?) to lower the legs below the height of the floor
4. Buy a bunch of channel or angle iron and weld up my own set of (shorter) legs.

I'm curious if anyone else has done anything or just adopted to the increased height?

[Roger Chandler]

What about taking the foot pads off, and put some rubber matting underneath the leg castings? One would lower the unit 1.25" - 1.5" by doing that, but would need for the lathe to sit level without those adjustable foot pads.

[Doug Ladendorf]

I do not understand how the 733 draws more amps than the 766? More horsepower should require more total watts. Anyone have thoughts on this, data from the Grizzly website specs for both lathe motors.

Excellent observation. This has been discussed in other threads here and pretty clearly resolved to be a 2HP motor on the G0766 that marketing has decided to call 3HP. Do not expect the same power that a Baldor or a lesson 3HP tagged motor would deliver.

[Roger Chandler]

Excellent observation. This has been discussed in other threads here and pretty clearly resolved to be a 2HP motor on the G0766 that marketing has decided to call 3HP. Do not expect the same power that a Baldor or a lesson 3HP tagged motor would deliver.
Yeah, I don't know what is up with the stated output power in Grizzly's documentation [they do state that sometimes inaccuracies in the manuals exist, but are "deemed" to be correct or similar lanquage].

Sparky Paessler, an EE and owner of a G0766 measured the output power on his with an amp meter, and it was over 10 amps, if I recall correctly....he can speak to it, but that would put it in the 3hp category.

[Doug Ladendorf]

I'm always curious about the variations. Was just looking for more clarity and Google referenced this chart: https://frentzandsons.com/Hardware%20References/ampdrawofelectricmotors.htm

Looks about right, but I know there are many, variables that can affect this.

[Brice Rogers]

Thanks for the suggestion, Roger. I'll take a look at that.

[David C. Roseman]

What about taking the foot pads off, and put some rubber matting underneath the leg castings? One would lower the unit 1.25" - 1.5" by doing that, but would need for the lathe to sit level without those adjustable foot pads.


We did this for a turning friend and it worked out very well. His shop floor was level, so no shimming was necessary. But even if it were, it wouldn't be at all four corners.

[David C. Roseman]

I’m sure that over the last 1-1/2 yrs I’ve read every thread on SMC that’s mentioned the G0766. I know of no basis for saying “This has been discussed in other threads here and pretty clearly resolved to be a 2HP motor on the G0766 that marketing has decided to call 3HP.” Doug, are you recalling something specifically? The few comments that I’ve seen questioning whether it really is a 3 hp motor have been conjecture by folks looking at some of the confusing documentation, and without the benefit of actual personal experience with the lathe. Fair enough, but let’s take such comments for what they are.

Sparky Praessler (who is a real sparky) has measured the current draw under no-load and load conditions and found 3.8 amps and 10 amps, respectively. His conclusion was that this is consistent with the 3 hp claim. Short of bench-test data actually showing torque measured with a dynamometer and converted to hp, we probably aren’t going to know for sure the output on any lathe motor, regardless of vendor.

FWIW, I’ve recently spent some time studying the manual for the Delta VFD-M series AC motor drive that the Grizzly G0766 and G0733 use, and the manual for the Delta VFD-S series AC motor drive that many Powermatic 3520Bs and the 2-hp version of the Jet 1642EVS use. Among other things, I wanted to look at parameter adjustments to the drives for various user conditions.

There are different models of drives within each series, to match the voltage class and hp of the AC motors they will be matched to. The G0766 uses M-series mod. no. VFD022M21A, which is rated for 3 hp AC motors, and has a rated output current of 10 amps. The G0733 (claimed by Grizzly as 2 hp) uses the smaller mod. no. VFD015M21A, which is rated for 2 hp AC motors, and has a rated output current of 7 amps. The Delta S-series manual shows that an S-series drive rated for a 2 hp AC motor (as on the PM 3520B and the 2-hp version of the Jet 1642EVS) has a rated output current of 7.5 amps.

These are just the ratings for the VFDs, of course. But knowing something about Grizzly’s successful business model over the years, I’d be quite surprised if Grizzly would intentionally specify the much larger and more expensive model, VFD022M21A, for its G0766 if not really necessary to match the actual hp of the motor. I can also vouch for my G0766 as a beast, power wise. The motor and VFD are much larger and heavier than on my G0733, and I've never considered the G0733 under-powered in the least.

[Roger Chandler]

Great info David! Especially the inverter info, and the fact that you own both the 0733 and 0766, and have personal experience to speak from, where others perhaps are speaking from conjecture, which for some is no doubt due to manuals from the manufacurer being inconsistent.

I know that on my 0698 and on my 0766 that parts of the manual have obviously been thru the "cut and paste" process, and are identical for very different models [this is not to Grizzly's commendation either; and does add to the cost of manufacturing to put out a completely new manual with every model, as there are operational similarities and norms for any and all lathes, regardles of particular model, but unique things about each model as well]

Some have motivations of genuine curiosity, and cannot discern helpful information because of the available inconsistencies due to manuals, or how the machine/motor specs are derived by Grizzly?......others, who seem to consistently poo-poo anything Grizzly Green......well, one has to wonder what their motivations are! :rolleyes:

Of course, you and I both know that there may be some who believe that myself, and perhaps even you, might be extremely biased towards this 0766, or even have some connection with Grizzly [believe me, I have been accused of such more than once! :D ]. I have none whatsoever!

What I know for sure is this.....both myself and you, are simply interested in factual information, and truthful owner feedback getting put out there for the benefit of others who might be considering this model, but are hesitant due to inaccurate or even misleading information being posted, or discussions that leave a wrong impression. I am glad you spoke to the inverter stats and models related to motor/hp requirements.......your statement makes perfect and logical sense!

My current assessment is that in time, the G0766 will develop a reputation as a real performer and solid platform in the large lathe catagory. That is not to say that some owner might not experience a failure of a component like a potentiometer or switch.....the same happens on Jet/PM machines, and others as well, but the G0766 is the value in the large lathe catagory, and as you already know, is a fine performer!