I have had the lathe for about a month now and so far nothing negative and a lot positive to say. It is very well made and VERY heavy which makes it very stable. The variable speed motor works very well and at 3hp should have the power to take the lathe to its limits. One of the more interesting features that I just figured out was the bed extension which takes it out to a max of 56 inches. The manual doesn’t mention anything about it other than it can be mounted in any of four positions which had me confused for a moment until I started playing with it today. It made sense that you could mount it on either end to extend the bed but Grizzly took it another step and added three more positions. There is one at either end but 6 inches lower. They also supply you with a 6” post extension for the banjo which means you can turn up to 36” diameter by mounting the banjo on the bed extension in the lower position which eliminates the need for for a free standing tool rest. Then there is the side mount which is at right angle to the bed but at the same level. This one had me baffled for a short time as to its use but after I mounted it it dawned on me that it allows you to mount the banjo at a position that will allow for the tool rest to be on the backside of a bowl without having the banjo under the bowl and therefore not losing any diameter of the turning. Very well thought out. 
Paul

Not the side mount but the ends idea came from PM. I have not used it in that manner but it does add lots of veratility.

I probably won’t use it in that configuration either. The side mount maybe. There isn’t too much call for a 36” bowl. Where are you going to put it ? I need the extension because in the near future, possibly after the Media Room we are going to tackle the stairs which will involve turning some Art Deco newel posts. 
Paul

2 hours ago, Masonsailor said:

I probably won’t use it in that configuration either. The side mount maybe. There isn’t too much call for a 36” bowl. Where are you going to put it ? I need the extension because in the near future, possibly after the Media Room we are going to tackle the stairs which will involve turning some Art Deco newel posts. 
Paul

 

Will be nice to see that as it progresses.  No chance of getting a bigger lathe here now.  But in Ukraine room will not be such an issue.

On 1/14/2021 at 4:57 PM, Masonsailor said:

There isn’t too much call for a 36” bowl. Where are you going to put it ?

By the front door on Halloween?

On 1/14/2021 at 5:57 PM, Masonsailor said:

in the near future, possibly after the Media Room we are going to tackle the stairs which will involve turning some Art Deco newel posts. 

 

Oh boy, can't wait to see what you have in mind for these Paul.