G0602

Received on time, un-crated it, set it up on the stand I ordered, did the run in procedure per the operators manual, did all the alignment procedures and did my first test run. For what I need it for, this is a great machine.

2ND UPDATE: Two years into ownership and I still use it almost daily. I remain highly impressed with the machine. Would happily upgrade it to five stars had the paint not started to flake off on the very first day and some of the diagrams (for the gears, etc) being flat-out wrong. Aside from that, it's been perfect. Making more and more parts and it always does the job to completion. Like I said below, though, the next Grizzly machine up for an extra $100 or $200 gives you variable speed, which I'd really like. :END 2ND UPDATE: :UPDATE: The squeaky bearing mentioned below... my old man advised that what I'm hearing are just the commutators making noise when you rotate the motor. I don't know enough about electric motors to really understand that, but he does, and guarantees that's what I'm hearing. Still makes the noise to this day, but the lathe has *never* given me an issue. Motor also doesn't get hot anymore. Had an electrician come out and completely rewire my garage. My building was not set up for machine shop electric use. So, really, my two complaints were both my fault. :END UPDATE: A Great Starter Lathe Let me disclose that, while I have been making and selling various projects using such crude tools as a bench grinder and vise, drill press, hand file, etc, this Grizzly is my first foray into "real" machine tools. So take the following review with a grain of salt. The above-mentioned sales with my little garage shop tools allowed me to finance this lathe. I've been idly shopping around for a metal lathe for two years. I bounced around ideas of the 8" Harbor Freight lathe, the smaller lathe that Lathemaster sells and various Grizzly's. All Chinese... I'm not spending real money on something that is going to be abused by someone who is still learning. I decided on this Grizzly 10x22 after slightly expanding my budget. I didn't want to break $1000, but chose to, given the value this product offers. This Grizzly is seemingly very popular on various sites and reviews I've checked out. It has more than enough swing and bed for my needs, comes with plenty of extras and is backed by a large company with decent customer service. I chose to purchase the lathe here on Amazon vs Grizzly's site since the price was a wash and I am protected with Amazon's A to Z Guarantee. From clicking Buy Now to delivery (see the customer-submitted photos of my Bobcat unloading the thing) was less than a week. The day after clicking Buy Now, I received an email from Grizzly that I *had* to confirm stating I would need a forklift, etc to unload the lathe from a 53' tractor trailer. Lathe arrived crated, surrounded by wood, zero damage to anything. Inspection revealed no parts missing. Everything is covered in a Cosmoline-like goo, but it isn't hard to remove. Used an engine lift to get it on a pre-fab metal stand I also bought on Amazon. I found the sturdiness and weight of the machine confidence-inspiring. Break-in period went uneventfully, however if I turn the head by hand I can hear a noisy, squeaky bearing. Surprisingly, with the motor turning the head, it goes away. Others have had much worse luck than I and, as of right now, I'm using the lathe with the squeaker. I notice no run-out or wobble and am going to use the lathe as long as I can until I have to replace this bearing. PROS: Incredible value for a starter lathe. Plenty of extras including a 3-jaw, 4-jaw, centers, tools. Solid machine, good weight, good size. Arrived quickly, well protected with no damage. Nothing was missing. Lathe works out of the box. All parts are readily available through Grizzly. CONS: Have had a squeaky bearing from day one. Others have had much worse luck, however. Some have claimed they've had to completely rebuild theirs before use, as is common with, say, Harbor Freight lathes. The Grizzly's aren't supposed to require that kind of treatment. I feel lucky that mine does work well. The paint is a joke. Flaking right off, since day one. Speed changing is a pain in the butt. Certain diagrams (ie, pulleys) on the machine/manual are incorrect or backwards. This is commonly reviewed on other sites and forums. No actual machine tools included. The motor gets mighty hot at the higher speeds. Not sure if I have a bad motor that is going to burn up soon, or that's the nature of the beast. I put a large computer fan adjacent to it, to help buy me time. IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN: The only thing I'd change is variable speed. I believe the next step up has it, for an extra couple hundred. Had I known how much I would end up using it, I would've paid for it. WHY ONLY FOUR STARS: The bearing upsets me. The hot motor worries me. The incorrect onboard/manual diagrams bother me. The paint flaking is annoying. CONCLUSION: Don't hesitate to buy this. It's a good value for what I consider a medium-sized, starter lathe. The 'net is full of old timers and pro's that consider these a cheap toy, but $1200 is $1200. I sold my first lathe-produced piece less than 24 hours into ownership and have sold dozens since. Nothing fancy or complicated, but I'm well on my way to paying the thing off.

Found large sections of paint falling off the rusted base stand right out of box. Company exchanged twice, both attempts failing with same quality issue. Company then refused to accept return of the lathe but could not supply a satisfactory stand replacement. Was told I had to deal directly with Amazon instead. 3 attempts were made through Amazon to get return authorization from Grizzly, but each time their call failed (cut off while being placed on hold) and I'd get no return call. I'll never buy another Grizzly product again.

This lathe is very nice. There isn't a reverse for the lead screw so I made a tumbler gear myself. The belt changes are pretty bizarre,three speeds for one belt,and the other three use a different size belt. It's built well,and worth every penny.

It was a good value for money.

This machine weighs almost five hundred pounds. I had to have four guys pick it up and put it on the bench. My only complaint is that the oil drain plug is very low. It's hard to change the oil without making a mess!

Grizzly G0602, (1) Slide Block (part # 917) Holds the Saddle to the Rail. Out of tolerance. ,007 to .009 clearance between part 917# and the underside of the rail (should be .001). Allows the saddle to tip on the Y axis when machining parts. Not good!! (2) Graduated Dial (part# 205) Dial holds clamping ring approx .025 above cross slide. (3) Clamping Ring (part # 204) Ring allows the compound flex on the Y axis. This issue works in conjunction with the Graduated dial. This is a known issue with the G0602 but has not been corrected by the manufacturer. Sorry, I'm out of of characters on this review, wish i had more room

I have several decades of woodworking, including lathe work, and amateur aircraft construction requiring metal cutting and welding. I have taken 2 courses in blacksmithing. My metal work has always been a side bench, jury rigged, in my shop. A bucket list item is a dedicated metal shop, and the purchase of this lathe was the kickoff. Don’t expect Amazon Prime on-time; mine shipping 10 days past the due date to ship. The delivery guys were nice enough to get it on a trailer behind my pickup. So I take it to my shop in rural Mississippi with no neighbors or hired help nearby. It’s up to me to get in into the shop, with no engine hoist. I built an 8 ft. rolling ramp with 2X12 boards and a couple of heavy casters and put the low end at the tilt trailer back edge. The packing crate is high quality and easy to open. The big warning on the outside is “extremely top heavy.” The cast iron bed of the lathe sits on 2 narrow feet in the midline, and it indeed is tippy. My only one star deduction is for Grizzly not to extend the footprint laterally for more stability. They should also tell you that the lathe is bolted to the bottom of the crate. The lathe is very attractive and much better quality than other Grizzly products I have seen and own. With a “come-along” winch, towing strap and 2 jacks I begin to inch the lathe toward the back of the trailer and the rolling ramp. After discovering the attachment bolts, removing them, and securing the crate base from moving with the lathe I was able to pull it off the crate base and slowly toward the ramp. It tipped once, but I got it upright. The rolling ramp worked, and 2 hours later it was in the shop. I had built a stout table with 4x4 telescoping legs, and I winched it sideways onto the table. Multiple jackings and temporary bolting of the legs I got it up to working height. I followed the manual compulsively, lubricating, and preparing for test run. I turn it on and there is an awful High pitch grinding sound. Troubleshooting guide says: ”motor fan hitting housing.” Sure enough, my one tip-over dented in the motor fan housing; but I was able to repair with successful break-in and good performance. As a newbie machinist I am very pleased with my initial work. My other caveat is that I would pay a little more for the variable speed model rather than mess with belt changes although this gets easier with experience and a little stretching of the belts. No big regret for some savings.