The previous top-end model, the G0632 is the one I now have. It has a through hole in the spindle.
OK, thinking as I type. They had a big, cabinet style model with Reeves drive that was more expensive than the G0632 and looks kinda like the new G0694. That might have been whatcha saw. For the money, I couldn't see any advantages to having it over many others.
I think the top end model that Jay talked about is G0456 that was reviewed in the FWW.
http://www.teknatool.com/products/L...oodworking Heavy Duty Lathe Test_April 07.pdf
This was the 20" swing model. I think at that time your G0632 was not born yet.
IMO, the G0456 was a joke in modern lathe design history. Besides the "manicure callus attachment" in place of the handwheel, I think the placement of the tool rest also shows the lack of understanding of wood turning from Grizzly. The tool rest was on the right (wrong) side of the banjo. It prevents the tool rest getting close to the rim of the bowl when hollowing out a bowl near the capacity of the lathe. I don't see the advantage of putting the tool rest post on the right side instead of the left side.
This picture is their new mini lathe which has the same design.
I do like my Grizzly 0555 band saw. It is not the best band saw, but it is a very good value because I didn't think I paid enough for the best. It is a bit underpowered. I know I have to live with it for the fair price I paid.
As a consumer who has nothing to sell, I would like to see more competition. Monopoly would allow them to raise the price. Jet and Powermatic has been having steeper price hike than their competitors. I would really like Grizzly pay more attention to their lathe design. Hire some wood turners to help them to develop the new lathes that turners want. Not just cloning others' old design and making some changes and call their new and improved. I think putting the tool rest post on the other side may be their thinking of erasing the evidence of cloning. Their engineers may not even know why certain parts has to be done certain way.
As we all know Nick Cook has been involved in Jet and Powermatic design and field testing. People has seen prototype lathes at his shop, some made in the market, some with modification and some don't. I have made suggestions to PaPa Grizzly through PM with other forum. I never got any reply. I hope you can reach the top with some constructive criticism.
I think they should have scrap the old gap bed design and give us a lathe that we want at a price we can afford. They can do it very well with their other equipment. Don't let wood lathes be the orphans and dragging the reputation of the whole company. Show some confidence in what they sell, match the warranty of the competitors.
If they decide to clone, clone the good one all the way. Don't turn a good into a bad.
If they don't want to hire outside help. At least send their designer / engineers to wood turning classes.
I think they are on the right track in some place, at least they are phasing out the odd size spindle thread. But they still have a lot to do with speed.
Sorry for the long rambling.
Frank, I think you can do more good to them by letting them know what they are not up to than talking about the good and ignoring the not so good IMO.