GO733, no complaints
I have the G0766, and it has been a reliable and fine performer. I was one of the first 3 people who got one. I’ve done nothing to mine, except replace the potentiometer [speed control] after 5 years, and it was fine, just had one tiny area where there was a slight pause, so I decided to get 3, and replace the original, and have 2 spares. A 10 minute repair. I also have the G0800 black beast, and used to have the G0698, which was the 18/47 predicessor to the G0733. It’s still going strong at our woodturning club 16 years later, with no issues!
Good to hear. I am starting to feel better about going back to Grizzly (my first was a G0632 and it was not a great experience). I am also leaning towards a G0766. If I am going to upgrade I may as well go with the extra swing.
I bought the G0766 in 2019. After about 18 months, the potentiometer [speed control] started getting "glitchy". It had certain positions on the dial that didn't seem to respond like I thought they should have. It may have been my imagination since there had been so much talk about it and I was sensitive to the issue. Anyway, I called Grizzly and for about $5.00 each, I ordered two replacements. It was an easy replacement and I have not had any issues since. I still have the spare. The replacements look a little different than the original so they may have upgraded the replacements. Other than the potentiometer issue, the G0766 has been an amazing lathe. I built a ballast box out of the shipping crate and put 200 lbs of sand in it. That puts the lathe at well over 700 lbs. Grizzly has raised the price of this lathe considerably since I bought mine however, even at the current price, it's a lot of lathe for the money.
"So as you all know I have been researching for the purchase of a new lathe. I was feeling pretty good about the G0733 and the G0766. I’ve even talked to other owners of said lathes. Now, all of a sudden I am hearing from people telling me that Grizzly has developed a serious quality issue over the last couple of years. There is even a long thread in the AAW Forum with a lot of Grizzly bashing. So now I am very apprehensive and not sure what to believe anymore. Jeff" I went through a lot of this last year when I bought my G0766 lathe. Are there better brands out there? Well, yes. Are they thousands of dollars better? Probably not. I think it all hinges on what and how you're going to be using it. Buy what you need, not what you can add in your signature line. Patrick
My experience with the G0766 has been solid. I was one of the first 3 to get one when they first came out. The banjo they shipped originally was the same one they used on their 18/47 G0733, which was a bit too short to get the full capacity use of a 22” swing lathe. Grizzly quickly had manufactured a larger and beefier banjo and shipped it to all purchasers. Is the G0766 on par with the Robust American Beauty? Nope, but it doean’t cost $10K either! The major components like motor, inverter, etc are rock solid, and will handle most of what any turner would like to do on their lathe.
I bought one about 9 months ago very happy with it The standard tool rest is a bit bulky but usable. I removed the super thick black paint on the rest to get a turning tool to slide comfortably. It runs very smooth plenty of power, tool rest bore is 100mm a 1 inch post will not fit. Yes you can remove the tail stock weighs a ton. On the banjo the machined surface that rides on the ways was not very smooth easily fixed with a simple good mill file. The #2 MT are quite nicely machined absolutely no issues there. Leveling the machine was a bit of a chore it just takes patience. All in all I am quite satisified with the machine When I bought mine it was @$2100.00 Grizzly has it listed now for $1900.00. pics of latest project.
