I have been researching different brands of import lathes, ie Jet, Grizzly, etc. Does anybody have any input on which brand is better than others, import that is. I have priced American built equipment. I don't want to afford them. The size I've desired is 13X36-40.
Of course I have checked out the used market. There is always a great buy on the opposite side of the country, were you can't physically check them out. SB
I've been extremely happy with my Harbor Freight gear 12 X 36:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=33274I'd buy another one without hesitation and they have a 13 X 36. I've been on Grizzly's showroom floor and theirs is exactly the same, but more money and the same with Enco's. One thing I really like with the HF stuff in my instance is that the freight is only $50.00 to get it to me regardless of the weight, so to get that lathe delivered to no-where Utah for $50 is a big plus.
This past year I also bought this Mill from them.........
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38850......... and the same one from Enco was about $1700 more, plus a ton in freight to get it to me since it weighs 2500 lbs.. There again with HF the freight bill was $50. So far this has been a great mill.
I did get this mill earlier from Enco when they had a good package deal on the mill, stand and free freight that made it close to HF for the same mill.....
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42827The picture is of HF's, but Enco's is the same. I've done almost all the machine work on my lakester with this mill and the above lathe. Now I use the smaller mill mostly for drilling and like it better than the large mill for that. I do buy almost all my tooling from Enco and their service is great.
Good luck and if I can help let me know,
Sum