Grizzly G4003G Gunsmiths Lathe Review

[mildcustom2]

I've owned this machine for a couple months and I'm so pleased with it I thought I'd do a review and share info on what I feel is a high quality lathe. I was in the market for a metal lathe for a variety of different projects. I first looked at entry level machines available in Canada and was far from impressed with the quality in the Craftex and King Canada machines available. They were in my opinion cheap, poorly built sloppy machines. The biggest turn off was a spin of the handles on the carriage felt like there was sand in the gear box.

For those unfamiliar with Grizzly Industrial Tools is a US based company with a couple massive and I mean massive warehouses in the United States East and West coast. They have factories in China and Taiwan that manufacture their machines to their specifications. Now normally I am not a fan of machines built in China and Taiwan but most machines are built there and because Grizzly sets the standards they are built too you get more than what you pay for in my opinion.

The machine I decided to buy for my needs was the G4003G Gunsmiths lathe with Stand for $3250 USD plus I paid the Washington state sales tax since I picked it up in person. I had an Harmonized Tariff code that helped me escape paying duty on the machine but I did have to pay 12% taxes at the Canadian border. Grizzly will ship to Canada and brokerage fees are free of charge. For individuals like myself who live in the Vancouver area its a simple dart across the border to their showroom. Unfortunately their product line is so big that they only have a fraction of what they carry on display but it gives you a good idea of their commitment to quality.

The key features things that stood out to me that made this feel like a good quality machine was how tight everything was with very little backlash in the carriage and cross slide while movement was smooth as glass. I really like the quick change chuck system found on the 3 and 4 jaw chucks the machine comes with. The quick change tool post system it comes with was another added benefit that is not typically found on other machines in this price range and it really is a pleasure to use. Instead of coming with the typical bronze guide steady rests and follow rests this machine comes with ball bearing steady and follow rests. Metric and Standard gear set are included and the power feed on the cross slide makes slow cuts easier.

All said I love this machine as it comes with many features other machines in Canada aren't available with and the quality is very good in my opinion. My only regret was not spending the extra couple hundred dollars on the enclosed gear box. I have no idea why I didn't.


That's enough rambling for now. Here's some specs followed by some pictures.


Standard Equipment:

6" 3-Jaw chuck with 2 piece reversible jaws
8" 4-Jaw Chuck with reversible jaws
10" faceplate
Steady rest with roller tips
Follow rest with roller tips
Toolbox
Quick change tool post with one tool holder
2 MT#3 dead centers (1 carbide tipped)
1 MT#3 live center
Set of six change gears
1/2" chuck w/ MT#3 arbor
Features:

High-quality NSK spindle bearings
Removable gap bed allows turnings up to 17" in diameter
Nine spindle speeds - ranging from 70 to 1,400 RPM
Easy to use lever controls
Hardened and ground cast iron bed
Cuts 4-112 Standard TPI and 0.2-4.5 Metric
Full length splash guard
Spindle on/off reverse switch on carriage
Halogen work light
Ball bearing steady/follow rests
Outboard end support screws
Socket for tailstock lock
Heavy-duty steel stand
Cast aluminum gear cover
D1-5 spindle nose (6 pin)
40mm spindle bore
Specifications:

Motor: 2 HP, 220V, single-phase, 8.5 Amps, 60 Hz, 1725 RPM
Swing over bed: 12"
Swing over gap: 17"
Swing over cross slide: 7"
Distance between centers: 36"
Bed width: 7-1/4"
Spindle bore: 40mm
Spindle nose taper: MT#5
Spindle nose: D1-5 Camlock
Cross slide travel: 6-1/4"
Compound travel: 3-1/4"
Carriage travel: 30-1/2"
Tailstock barrel taper: MT#3
Tailstock barrel travel: 4"
Number of speeds: 9
Range of speeds: 70, 200, 220, 270, 360, 600, 800, 1000, 1400 RPM
Height w/o stand: 23"
Height w/ stand: 54-1/2"
Length w/ stand: 61"
Width of stand: 26"
Shipping weight aprox 1330 pounds

 

[tootall]

Next up, a review of your Grizzly mill!

 

[MTLGUN]

Congrat's on a nice purchase.

Just out of curiosity, how much did they want for a DRO ?

 

[lejarretnoir]

Backlash is always tight on new machines. The more you use it over the years you will find backlash increase and need to adjust the gibs on the crosslide and compound. Just normal wear and tear. Enjoy the lathe, it is well designed.

 

[bearhunter]

I like the Aloris style tool post. You will need to pick up more tool holders though. Changing out tools can make a project tedious when they need to be set up again every time. I have a similar tool post on mine. I was lucky and it came with 8 holders. All it takes to change out a tool is to flip the lever, pull off the holder and put on the next one which has been pre centered etc.

I also like the large spindle opening. 40mm will handle the heaviest barrels.

You will find that halogen bulb will get quite hot after a while. If you can, set up a fluorescent 48 inch fixture directly overhead and as close as comfortable that will help but sometimes, especially with small pieces, you just can't seem to get enough light.

The only real fault I can find with these and similar lathes is that they won't run slower than 70rpm. I like to run slower for threading.

 

[labszar]

Nice lathe, out of curiosity what is the difference in a gunsmith lathe and a normal metal lathe? The size?

 

[trevj]

Nice lathe, out of curiosity what is the difference in a gunsmith lathe and a normal metal lathe? The size?

Not really.

It's mostly called that because it has a couple useful features that don't come as standard on every lathe, mainly the spider already built in at both ends of the spindle bore, for centering barrels during chambering.

Nothing that one cannot build for one's own self, but built in, on these.

Other than that, it's pretty much just a metal lathe.

Cheers
Trev

 

[mildcustom2]

Congrat's on a nice purchase.

Just out of curiosity, how much did they want for a DRO ?

You'd probably best check their web page for prices.

I like the Aloris style tool post. You will need to pick up more tool holders though. Changing out tools can make a project tedious when they need to be set up again every time. I have a similar tool post on mine. I was lucky and it came with 8 holders. All it takes to change out a tool is to flip the lever, pull off the holder and put on the next one which has been pre centered etc.

I also like the large spindle opening. 40mm will handle the heaviest barrels.

You will find that halogen bulb will get quite hot after a while. If you can, set up a fluorescent 48 inch fixture directly overhead and as close as comfortable that will help but sometimes, especially with small pieces, you just can't seem to get enough light.

The only real fault I can find with these and similar lathes is that they won't run slower than 70rpm. I like to run slower for threading.

I picked up a butt load of extra tool holders. It only included two with it.

Not really.

It's mostly called that because it has a couple useful features that don't come as standard on every lathe, mainly the spider already built in at both ends of the spindle bore, for centering barrels during chambering.

Nothing that one cannot build for one's own self, but built in, on these.

Other than that, it's pretty much just a metal lathe.

Cheers
Trev

Pretty much and the fact the top dog at the company builds precision rifles for a hobby and wanted to brand a group of lathes this way.

 

[dogone]

I just finished setting up my Grizzly Drill/Mill yesterday. Cost about 2500 delivered to Sask. I would class it as a top end mill/drill--just below a real mill. It has powered cross feed and power vertical adjustment. At 1000 lbs I had a bear of a time getting it to the right place in my shop. It came with a very few collets and a drill bit holder. I ordered quite a few end mills and such but am not experienced so don't know exactly what all is needed.
Seems very well made.Mildcustom is right; quality and price is better than other comp size products. All communication with them is top notch and they do know where Canada is.

 

[labszar]

Congrats on your purchase. I wouldnt be to worried about buying a bunch of end mills and stuff right away get use to the machine first then figure out what your going to need as you go.

 

[gunrunner8]

The only real fault I can find with these and similar lathes is that they won't run slower than 70rpm. I like to run slower for threading.

Thats an easy fix Gerard. My 16"x 42" lathe was having insane speeds of 80-1500rpm.
I "geared" it down by replacing the el motors belt wheel for the smaller one and instaling larger belt wheel at the gearbox entrance so now my real rpm are 40-750 or so, that way I have more torque while cutting and in the same time it is easier on the electric motor to start. I very seldom use 750rpm finding my top speed at 475rpm.

 

[bearhunter]

Thats an easy fix Gerard. My 16"x 42" lathe was having insane speeds of 80-1500rpm.
I "geared" it down by replacing the el motors belt wheel for the smaller one and instaling larger belt wheel at the gearbox entrance so now my real rpm are 40-750 or so, that way I have more torque while cutting and in the same time it is easier on the electric motor to start. I very seldom use 750rpm finding my top speed at 475rpm.

I made up an attachment motor bracket that mounts a very slow motor by attaching a sheave to the back of the chuck. I can get it down to about half of what you're getting. Makes for some very smooth cuts and easy to control. I like your idea Roman and it would certainly make life a lot easier than mounting up my system whenever I install a barrel.

 

[mildcustom2]

I just finished setting up my Grizzly Drill/Mill yesterday. Cost about 2500 delivered to Sask. I would class it as a top end mill/drill--just below a real mill. It has powered cross feed and power vertical adjustment. At 1000 lbs I had a bear of a time getting it to the right place in my shop. It came with a very few collets and a drill bit holder. I ordered quite a few end mills and such but am not experienced so don't know exactly what all is needed.
Seems very well made.Mildcustom is right; quality and price is better than other comp size products. All communication with them is top notch and they do know where Canada is.

Congrats on your new machine I. Sure you will really enjoy it. I actually bought one of their smaller knee mills at the same time I bought the lathe. I'll do a review of it later but right now I'm in Mississippi for a couple weeks.

Here's a pic when I first got it home.

I stocked up on tooling a week later from Grizzly.

In Canada I really like the quality of tooling and prices at KBC tools. They have locations across Canada. I buy my carbide inserts, end mills, taps, dies, drill bits and readers etc etc from them.

 

[mildcustom2]

If anyone is looking at their mills check out the G0757 Vertical/Horizontal Mill. Its a lot of machine for the price and not too big by knee mill standards plus doesn't require 3 phase power. If a hobbyist or small time shop has the loot to spend I'd go with this one for sure. I may even upgrade to it later.