This weekend our local woodworking tool vendor held their annual tool show,.big tent, all the factory reps on hand and demos galore. shop fox was there and had an area underneath the big tent. They had a W1758 lathe there and I got to inspect it up close and personal, and talk with the sales rep. Compared to the Grizzly lathes....the G0698, the G0632, the shop fox W1758 is a light weight. The low speed on the variable speed runs at 600 rpm which is high for a low speed. If one had a out of balance bowl blank, then this unit is likely to walk across the floor with you, and could be dangerous. The lady rep claimed her husband turned bowls on his, but I suspect he really has to make sure to get the blank balanced well. Just some random thoughts of mine after seeing this lathe up close for a second time over the last 3 years..........I think that the G0632 16/42 lathe or the G0698 18/47 is a much better way to go..........more expensive, sure, but a much better set up as well!
