Lathe for gunsmithing...What do you think of this one?

Looks pretty usable if the headstock is not too long to chamber through the spindle.

I'd find out greater detail about the inch/metric threading. Some inch/metric's have a metric lead screw and when threading in inches you must leave the half nut engaged and have to stop the spindle...not a good way to run a railroad, IMO.

Made in Taiwan is better than made in Communist China for several reasons, one being quality.

Edit-make sure it will do 16, 18 and 20 TPI.
 
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90 rpm is higher than I'd recommend for minimum speed. Half that would be better. If you can live with the 90 rpm the rest of the specs look OK.

Fitch
 
Boyd, in looking at the photos of the lathe, I noticed that the compound is marked at zero with the compound turned parallel to the lathe bed. This isn't a problem and is common on most imported lathes. When you set your compound to 29.5 degrees or 30 degrees for threading, it will need to read 59.5 or 60 degrees to set it where it needs to be. Most if not all American made lathes were graduated with the compound set to zero when the compound is set perpendicular to the lathe bed. Just a heads up on that as if you feed in with the compound set at 30 degrees on the scale, you'll cut the ugliest thread you ever saw. It looks like it should do what you want at a pretty good price. It is nice that it has a d1-4 spindle in that it's easier to change lathe chucks over lathes that have threaded spindles. One of the first things I would do with it would be to replace the tool post. It will work, but you have to shim the tool to get it to the height that you want. The Aloris type tool post with removable holders are a lot easier to use and would be something that I'd look into eventually.
 
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You can buy the Shop Fox M1112 cheaper and it has a 2 year warranty. It's designed with the same specs as the Grizzly G4003G lathe (IE high precision bearings). I've been quite happy with mine.
 
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