Grizzly G4000 vs G0602: 9 x 19 or 10 x 22 metal lathe?

At a glance

How this comparison was built. We did not test any of these machines. Everything below comes from the specifications Grizzly and Amazon publish and from how the designs work. Where a competitor detail is not in a listing we can verify, we describe the class of machine rather than guess at a number.

Capacity: what the numbers mean

The G0602 has a little more of everything: 9-1/2 inches of swing against 8-3/4, 22 inches between centers against 19, a 25 mm bore against 20 mm, and 1 HP against 3/4 HP. The bore matters because it sets the largest bar you can pass through the spindle. The extra 5 mm opens up stock sizes that the G4000 cannot take. The motor matters in steel, because more power lets you take a deeper cut without slowing.

The tapers are the other part of the story. The G0602 has an MT4 spindle taper and an MT3 tailstock, against MT3 and MT2 on the G4000. Larger tapers carry more torque and accept larger drills and centers. If you plan to drill on the lathe with big bits, the larger taper is an advantage and it also gives you more accessory options.

Threading and features

Both lathes cut threads, but the G0602 has a wider range: 31 inch threads from 8 to 72 TPI and 26 metric from 0.25 to 3.5 millimeters, against 27 inch threads from 8 to 56 TPI and 11 metric from 0.5 to 3.0 millimeters on the G4000. If you only need standard coarse threads, both do it. If you need fine threads or a range of metric pitches, the G0602 is better equipped. The G0602 also lists hardened ground V-ways, an enclosed oil-bath gearbox, spindle reversing and nine longitudinal feeds.

The G4000 comes with a threading dial, a 4 inch three-jaw chuck, a 7-1/4 inch four-jaw chuck, steady and follow rests, live and dead centers, a four-way tool post and a faceplate. The G0602 includes a 5 inch three-jaw, a 6-1/2 inch four-jaw, an 8 inch faceplate, a four-way tool post, change gears and rests. Both are complete packages, so you should not need to buy a chuck immediately.

Weight, bench and power

The weight gap is 138 lb and it is the main practical difference. The G4000 ships at 294 lb, which a sturdy bench or a purpose-made stand can carry. The G0602 at 432 lb with a 47-1/2 by 12-1/2 inch footprint requires a bench designed for it, bolted down and level, because a lathe on a flexible bench will chatter. Plan the delivery too: a freight shipment at that weight needs a liftgate or a forklift and several people to move.

Electrically both are 110V machines, with the G0602 drawing 13.6 amps and the G4000 9 amps. Put the G0602 on a dedicated circuit. The G4000 is easier to share on a typical garage circuit, though a dedicated line is still best. Check the total load with our electrical load calculator.

Honest weaknesses

The G4000's weakness is the 20 mm bore and the 3/4 HP motor, which limit bar stock and cut depth in steel. The G0602's weakness is its mass and its footprint, which suit a dedicated machining corner and not a shared workbench. Neither is a toolroom lathe, and neither replaces a larger machine for heavy work. Both are good value for learning and for small to medium parts. For a broader view of the category, read our best metal lathes guide.

Amazon-sold alternatives

The closest Amazon-sold alternatives are mini lathes, not equivalents in size. The VEVOR 8 x 16 is the nearest in capacity to the G4000, and the VEVOR 7 x 14 is a step down. These are lighter machines with smaller motors (550W in the listings), so treat them as entry-level options. For a brand comparison see Grizzly versus Harbor Freight lathes.

The verdict

If you can place it and power it, the G0602 is the lathe you will grow into. If your bench, budget or circuit is the limit, the G4000 is a capable machine that cuts a wide range of work. Read the G4000 review, the G0602 review, and our guide to metal lathes before ordering.

Frequently asked questions