Is this any good?

[John Branam]

Anyone familular with this lathe:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?itemnumber=G8691

I have never bought anything from grizzly before so I am not sure about there quality. Any feedback on this lathe and Grozzly is appreceated.

[Cecil Arnold]

Check the links, there has been a lot of discussion about the various Griz. lathes. There are better available, but one of the ones supplied by Grizzly may be a good "learner."

[Dick Parr]

Grizzly is a great supplier of woodworking tools, I have a shop full. As for the lathe, it would seem this is the bottom line of their lathes. You might be better off spending the same amount of money on a Jet mini lathe which is an outstanding lathe for the money. Or spend a little more and get the VS Jet mini lathe. Either one would be a good investment.

Also if you have a Harbor Freight in your area, they have sales from time to time on lathes in this price range that have gotten good reviews as starter lathes.

Good luck on your decision.

[Tony Sizemore]

I have to agree with Dick. Grizzly makes good tools, but this is the bottom line for them. A friend of mine has it and it is ok, but just ok. If you plan to anything other then very basic spindle turning you should look at something different.

I have the Harbor freight Lathe Shown here http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34706 (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34706)

It does a fine job for what I paid for it. I think it is a good place to start, but I just started my self.

Good luck shopping.

[Steve Miller]

Mine is the one for $350, and I have been quite pleased with it. Plenty of power, and stable.

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Hi John. I can't say much from first hand experience about Grizzley except for their G0555 14" bandsaw with riser blocks. That is a very good piece of equipment.

Being a little new to turning (not quite 3 years), I have a thought.

While it is true that you can turn small things on a large lathe, you might be tempted to try a larger chunk of wood than you are ready for experience wise. Having had several 8-10" come off the lathe and bang around the shop, I know I wouldn't want a 14" piece doing it. 8-10" can hurt, but 14" could possibly kill.

If you opt for the Jet Mini now, you will find that you will keep it for some projects, even after you get a BIG lathe.

Of course this is just MHO and I don't know how long if ever, you have been turning.

Bruce