I’ve depended upon Precision Matthews equipment for years, starting with the PM-1440GT. This versatile piece of machinery does everything a precision gunsmith needs, but I had transitioned to using the PM-1440HVT-2 more often because it has variable speed. Today we set up the highly-anticipated PM-1440GT-VS — a classic Precision Matthews lathe I have loved for years, now with variable speed! 

Disclaimer

Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.

About the PM-1440GT-VS

This Taiwanese-made variable speed lathe features Japanese spindle bearings with 40” between centers, a 14” swing, and a 1” follow rest capacity. It operates on single or 3-phase power with three feed ranges and requires 15 amps and 220V. This machine has a MT3 quill tailstock taper, MT5-½ internal taper, and 15.5” spindle length with a 2” spindle bore diameter. This shorter spindle length provides some greater reach when you don’t want to take a barrel off an action for activities like muzzle threading. The PM-1440GT-VS is an English-threaded machine with a half-nut lever for English threads and  8 TPI main screw. (A gear swap is required to run in metric!)  Mounting options abound for the D1-5 Camlock spindle. Compound travel is 3.5”, cross-slide travel is 7”, and quill travel is 4”. 

View full specifications here! 

From Precision Matthews: 

• • NEW! Variable Spindle Speeds, driven by a Hitachi VFD Adjust spindle speed on the fly, which allows for the best possible surface finishes. (Low 36-140RPM, Med 126-510RPM, High 500-2000RPM)
  • Machine can run on Single OR 3 Phase Power – No expensive phase converters needed if you only have standard 240V single phase available, it comes ready to operate on either
  • Extremely High Quality Lathe, meant for very high precision work, and suitable for every day use. Perfect for the professional user who is looking for the best available
  • 100% Made in Taiwan, no shortcuts taken, built to a very high level of quality
  • This model operates on either Single or 3 Phase power due to the Variable Frequency Drive – No expensive phase converters needed
  • Priced very, very reasonably when compared with other similar high quality models – and no one out there has the 2″ Spindle bore in a machine from Taiwan. Compare Carefully. No one out there even comes close
  • Excellent machine for Gunsmithing use, Very Short Spindle, Ultra High Precision
  • High Precision, Hardened and Ground gears throughout headstock, which leads to extremely smooth and quiet running for a geared head lathe
  • Leadscrews Are True Inch Pitch Screws (Not Metric Conversions Like Many), 10 Threads Per Inch (.100” Per Turn)
  • Backed by an industry leading 5 year warranty
  • Cutting Capacities: 
    • Longitudinal Feed Rate Range: 0.0026-0.0368 IPR
    • Cross-slide Feed Rate Range: 0.0013-0.0184 IPR
    • Inch Threads: Choice of 36, 3-56 TPI
    • Metric Threads: Choice of 34, 0.4-7.2mm pitch

Standard Accessories: 

• • Variable Spindle Speeds driven by a Hitachi VFD- Adjustable on the fly while running
  • Complete Base with Chip Tray
  • L.E.D. Work Light
  • NACHI (Japan) Spindle bearings, with +/- .0001″ Max Spindle Runout
  • D1-5 Quick Change Spindle Mount
  • Back Splash Guard
  • Reducing Sleeve for Headstock Center
  • 4 Way Tool Post
  • Headstock Dead Center
  • Tail Stock Dead Center
  • Thread Chasing Dial (4” Travel Thread Dial, for easier inch thread cutting)
  • Feed Rod Clutch (To prevent overloading and using carriage stops)
  • Everything Needed for listed Inch and Metric Thread Pitches
  • Steady Rest
  • Follow Rest
  • Coolant System
  • Foot Brake
  • Belt Cover Interlock Switch
  • D1-5 Face Plate (12″ Diameter)
  • (6) Pcs Cast Iron Leveling Pads with Bolts
  • 5 Year Warranty

*Note, chucks are not included standard, please select chuck option from the optional accessories if you need a chuck with your machine

Setup and Demonstration

The PM-1440GT-VS delivery went extremely smoothly. It arrived via FedEx and after some maneuvering with a fork lift, we had it on the ground. We uncrated the lathe and used a fork extension, straps, spreaders, and pipe rollers to move the lathe into the shop. (Consult Precision Matthews’ instructions for more details on how to safely move your lathe.) 

Once I had the lathe where I wanted it, I leveled and cleaned the machine. I also installed a three-inch lift kit that offers improved ergonomics. I am 5’11” and can now power on the lathe without leaning over! This simple upgrade pays dividends in comfort over hours of machine time. 

The lift kit was something I made myself using  2.5” NPT cast-iron pipe couplers and my variable speed PM-1440HVT-2. The only downsides I have found are that it will take an extra step to move the lathe and that the brake is a little higher off the floor. Braking is built into variable speed system, so I do not consider this a problem. 

Twisting the stop button turns the machine on, with power indicated by a red light. Adjacent to this light is a  digital screen that displays the RPM. This lathe has three speed ranges: 36-140, 126-510, and 500-2000 RPM. (This medium speed range is ideal for optimizing torque utilization for heavy cuts.)

Instead of dialing in the four-jaw chuck, I decided to install the three-jaw chuck. I was able to do this as I didn’t need any independent jaw movement for my setup demonstrations. 

I shimmed the toolpost to match the height of the toolpost on the PM-1440HVT-2. By matching the height and running BXA Aloris style, I am able to interchange toolholders. 

Check out the video to see turning, facing, drilling, and more! I was very impressed by the surface finish. 

Customization

It takes time to get a lathe set up precisely how you want it. One of the first customizations I did to this lathe was to modify the side cover to mount an outboard spider. I did this on my original PM-1440GT and detailed the spider design process. This spider uses a pinch clamp instead of set screws to hold it onto the spindle. This is great because there’s only one screw to tighten/loosen, and it doesn’t mark or mar the spindle.

I also used the same tooling racks on the headstock and along the back of the splash guard chip tray and connected a MX-200L DRO.

One of my must-have lathe upgrades, particularly for  rifle barrel chambering, is a tailstock DRO.  This allows depth tracking to 0.0005” accuracy! This custom setup includes a bump stop on the carriage and multiple 3D-printed accessories from MK Machining. 

Conclusion 

Having variable speed is a massive improvement over the original PM-1440GT. I am incredibly excited to start working with this lathe. Stay tuned for our next build — a specially-optimized 7mm PRC featuring a BAT Machine Vesper-M action, Foundation Stock, Carbon Six Barrel, and Hawkins Medium Action Hunter Mag/DBM! 

Get the Gear

Precision Matthews PM-1440GT-VS

Shop all Precision Matthews equipment here! 

Don’t miss out on Ultimate Reloader updates, make sure you’re subscribed!

Thanks,
Gavin Gear