(270,’2007-02-06 17:27:21′,’david’,’2007-02-07 09:50:25′,’david’,’8×12/14 Lathe Compared To The 7×12 and 9×20 Lathes And The Resulting Modification Checklist’,”,’This list is not an exhaustive one nor does it imply that we’ll be working on these modifications to this lathe. Funny, some might wonder why even perform these in the first place given that the next step “up” is the 9″x20″ (sometimes dimensioned as the 9″x19″) lathe from Harbor Freight 45861 BV920 (older 40444), Grizzly G4000, Jet BD-920N or other variants and has only some of the features and benefits of the 8x.
Price has a lot to do with this. At just $100 over the price of the 7×10/12 mini-lathes during non-sale times (on sale, the 8x can be had for $439!), it’s way heftier of a machine. Remember that in machinery, mass counts! The 8×12/14 even weighs in over the 9×20. Imagine that!
Having said that, the features provided on the 8x have certainly a lot to be desired. As compared to the 7x, the 8x lacks the variable speed motor which is really convenient for threading using the “quasi backgear” of the motor at low speeds (this prevents munching the threads or worse, having your carriage jam into the headstock – don’t ask us how we know this 
) and a reverse feed for left-hand threading or feeding away from the headstock (perhaps not as useful a feature to some, but still nice to have). The 7x and 8x really can’t compare in mass. The 8x wins hands-down, so this is kind of like comparing apples to oranges.
A better “opponent” (if you will) for the purposes of this article is the 9×20 lathe. A very popular and widespread machine (like the 7x) also has its advantages over the 8x. First, let’s talk price. At $800 non-sale pricing, the 9x costs about 45% more than the 8x also at non-sale pricing. Now, provided you can wait, when the 9×20 goes on sale at Harbor Freight and the stars align, you’ll be lucky enough to also apply the infamous 20% coupon (really, it’s just about 12%-15% due to state sales tax – unless of course, you’re lucky here as well) and take home the 9×20 at around the price of the 8x at non-sale prices. What do you get? The 9x has two major advantages over the 8x. Firstly, the quick change gear box (QCGB). Secondly, a longer bed. Both lathes need belt changes to change speeds. This is certainly not as convenient as the 7x feature, but this can easily be improved upon. Both lathes lack a tumbler reverse for doing left-hand threading like the 7x. This modification is also not to difficult to add (we haven’t had the need yet..). The 9x has the distinct advantage over the 8x and 7x in that a simple movement of a lever dictates the feed rate of the feedscrew. More on this issue later..\r\n \r\nThe other interesting thing to note is that the 9x has a threaded spindle whereas the 8x does not. This may matter should reverse work be performed. You certainly wouldn’t want the chuck to work its way off the spindle (but there’s a set screw to hold it in place..). Unfortunately none have the convenience of the D1-4 camlock system. You’d have to upgrade to a 12″x36″ or even 13″x40″ lathe to get this and other wonderful features – but at a price!
Back to the 8x versus 9x and the modifications. Adding some variable speed motor or variable frequency drive and eliminating belts for spindle speed changes would benefit both lathes, so it’s worth mentioning, but it’s not indicative of a shortcoming in this comparison exercise. Adding a tumbler reverse. Same. Now, here’s where things get interesting… Grizzly sells replacement parts for the G4000 lathe. If you were to buy the entire assembly for the gear change box and its internals, that totals $160 or so. This may be a worthwhile modification to the 8x since changing gears for feeds is a major slowdown in the pace of machining. We are actively investigating this option (along with the E-leadscrew or electronic leadscrew project that promises something in between CNC and the problem faced with change gears for feeding).
Onto the list. We think that the modifications to make this lathe an even better machine with nearly all the beneficial features of the others mentioned would be:
1. variable speed motor to eliminate belt changes for spindle speed\r\n2. quick change gear box to eliminate gear changes for feeding\r\n3. tumbler reverse to allow for left-hand threading
On the other hand, if you like KISS (keep it simple, stupid), the 8×12/14 does just that. No electronics to fry, no gearbox to crunch (not that this ever happens). It’s a basic, heavy-duty but small lathe for home workshop. And, did we mention that it’s a really great, nicely built machine? We really enjoy this lathe over the 7x despite its feature shortcomings. We don’t have enough playtime with the 9×20 to make useful comments. If the stars align for us, then the 9×20 will be an interesting addition to the shop, but in reality, we’re keeping our eyes open for a 12×36 or 13×40 lathe. Even the recent addition to the Grizzly line-up makes for an interesting double-take. The 10×22, with its 1″ spindle bore, and gearbox, not to mention the additional 100lb. mass increase over the 9x for “only” $170 more, makes this an even more compelling contender for the 9×20.
We’ll be adding this entry should the list change.’,’
This list is not an exhaustive one nor does it imply that we’ll be working on these modifications to this lathe. Funny, some might wonder why even perform these in the first place given that the next step “up” is the 9“x20” (sometimes dimensioned as the 9“x19”) lathe from Harbor Freight 45861 BV920 (older 40444), Grizzly G4000, Jet BD-920N or other variants and has only some of the features and benefits of the 8x.
Price has a lot to do with this. At just $100 over the price of the 7×10/12 mini-lathes during non-sale times (on sale, the 8x can be had for $439!), it’s way heftier of a machine. Remember that in machinery, mass counts! The 8×12/14 even weighs in over the 9×20. Imagine that!
Having said that, the features provided on the 8x have certainly a lot to be desired. As compared to the 7x, the 8x lacks the variable speed motor which is really convenient for threading using the “quasi backgear” of the motor at low speeds (this prevents munching the threads or worse, having your carriage jam into the headstock – don’t ask us how we know this ) and a reverse feed for left-hand threading or feeding away from the headstock (perhaps not as useful a feature to some, but still nice to have). The 7x and 8x really can’t compare in mass. The 8x wins hands-down, so this is kind of like comparing apples to oranges.
A better “opponent” (if you will) for the purposes of this article is the 9×20 lathe. A very popular and widespread machine (like the 7x) also has its advantages over the 8x. First, let’s talk price. At $800 non-sale pricing, the 9x costs about 45% more than the 8x also at non-sale pricing. Now, provided you can wait, when the 9×20 goes on sale at Harbor Freight and the stars align, you’ll be lucky enough to also apply the infamous 20% coupon (really, it’s just about 12%-15% due to state sales tax – unless of course, you’re lucky here as well) and take home the 9×20 at around the price of the 8x at non-sale prices. What do you get? The 9x has two major advantages over the 8x. Firstly, the quick change gear box (QCGB). Secondly, a longer bed. Both lathes need belt changes to change speeds. This is certainly not as convenient as the 7x feature, but this can easily be improved upon. Both lathes lack a tumbler reverse for doing left-hand threading like the 7x. This modification is also not to difficult to add (we haven’t had the need yet..). The 9x has the distinct advantage over the 8x and 7x in that a simple movement of a lever dictates the feed rate of the feedscrew. More on this issue later..
The other interesting thing to note is that the 9x has a threaded spindle whereas the 8x does not. This may matter should reverse work be performed. You certainly wouldn’t want the chuck to work its way off the spindle (but there’s a set screw to hold it in place..). Unfortunately none have the convenience of the D1-4 camlock system. You’d have to upgrade to a 12“x36” or even 13“x40” lathe to get this and other wonderful features – but at a price!
Back to the 8x versus 9x and the modifications. Adding some variable speed motor or variable frequency drive and eliminating belts for spindle speed changes would benefit both lathes, so it’s worth mentioning, but it’s not indicative of a shortcoming in this comparison exercise. Adding a tumbler reverse. Same. Now, here’s where things get interesting… Grizzly sells replacement parts for the G4000 lathe. If you were to buy the entire assembly for the gear change box and its internals, that totals $160 or so. This may be a worthwhile modification to the 8x since changing gears for feeds is a major slowdown in the pace of machining. We are actively investigating this option (along with the E-leadscrew or electronic leadscrew project that promises something in between CNC and the problem faced with change gears for feeding).
Onto the list. We think that the modifications to make this lathe an even better machine with nearly all the beneficial features of the others mentioned would be:
1. variable speed motor to eliminate belt changes for spindle speed
\n2. quick change gear box to eliminate gear changes for feeding
\n3. tumbler reverse to allow for left-hand threading
On the other hand, if you like KISS (keep it simple, stupid), the 8×12/14 does just that. No electronics to fry, no gearbox to crunch (not that this ever happens). It’s a basic, heavy-duty but small lathe for home workshop. And, did we mention that it’s a really great, nicely built machine? We really enjoy this lathe over the 7x despite its feature shortcomings. We don’t have enough playtime with the 9×20 to make useful comments. If the stars align for us, then the 9×20 will be an interesting addition to the shop, but in reality, we’re keeping our eyes open for a 12×36 or 13×40 lathe. Even the recent addition to the Grizzly line-up makes for an interesting double-take. The 10×22, with its 1” spindle bore, and gearbox, not to mention the additional 100lb. mass increase over the 9x for “only” $170 more, makes this an even more compelling contender for the 9×20.
We’ll be adding this entry should the list change.
‘,’This list is not an exhaustive one nor does it imply that we’ll be working on these modifications to this lathe. Funny, some might wonder why even perform these in the first place given that the next step “up” is the 9″x20″ (sometimes dimensioned as the 9″x19″) lathe from Harbor Freight 45861, Gtizzly G4000, Jet BD-920N or other variants and has some of the features and benefits of the 8x.
Price has a lot to do with this. At just $100 over the price of the 7×10/12 mini-lathes during non-sale times (on sale, the 8x can be had for $439!), it’s way heftier of a machine. Remember that in machinery, mass counts! The 8x even weighs in over the 9x. Imagine that! But wait, there’s more…’,’
This list is not an exhaustive one nor does it imply that we’ll be working on these modifications to this lathe. Funny, some might wonder why even perform these in the first place given that the next step “up” is the 9“x20” (sometimes dimensioned as the 9“x19”) lathe from Harbor Freight 45861, Gtizzly G4000, Jet BD-920N or other variants and has some of the features and benefits of the 8x.
Price has a lot to do with this. At just $100 over the price of the 7×10/12 mini-lathes during non-sale times (on sale, the 8x can be had for $439!), it’s way heftier of a machine. Remember that in machinery, mass counts! The 8x even weighs in over the 9x. Imagine that! But wait, there’s more…
‘,”,’8x128x14-Small-Lathe’,’Sieg-7x107x127x14-Mini-Lathe’,1,’Comment’,0,4,1,1,’article’,”,”,’8×1214-lathe-compared-to-the-7×12-and-9×20-lathes-and-the-resulting-modification-checklist’,”,”,”,”,”,”,”,”,”,”,’39599b4f8b2208b01ef384c5c409d148′,’2007-02-06′);