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I hope to upgrade soon and buy a lathe that can better stand up to constant use. This lathe is a great buy. Granted, a bigger and heavier one would be better, but than, the price too would be greater. It's a great 'starter' lathe and well worth the money. It's light duty and great for an occasional turner.
I can live with this one until I win the tool lottery. It snapped clean at the stub mount. 2- The speed holds as long as you are in one of the detent locks for the speed handle. You can get around it using face plate or chuck/drive screw mountings if you must. 5- A drive head that slides to the end of the lathe for bowl turning.
I know, no catches,no breaks. Things I wish for 1- Digital speed readout 2-A real dial variable speed control 3-A motor that's not in the work area. Let all who make natural edge bowls w/o ever catching now throw stones. If you want to be between range it tends to drift up in speed to the next detent.
I put bags of rock on a wood platform across the leg supports. That's after I build the house or shop to put it in. My point is that it's cheap cast steel. I'll get all this in my next lathe. I don't like the motor being direct behind the chuck area. If you do work of any size you need to build a base to add weight. 4-A cast iron base. The tool holder extension is cast steel and I broke the first one on my first catch.
I own this and dream of a better one. To make a bowl I turn the head 45 deg which necessitates the extension for the tool rest. I took it too a tool shop got it bored out, installed a press fit tool steel stub and it works fine. It really helps dampen the dancing that occurs without it.
The variable speed works OK but- 1-Mine is very noisy and the lowest speed. this lathe is not so great for bowl work. Now my catches hurt the bowl only and not the machine part. You have to extend the spur drive.
If your wood is at all irregular in shape on the drive end it will hit the fan housing and not rotate free.
I turn mostly lamp spindles, pens, pepper mills, candlesticks and other type turnings and it is very smooth and precise. My remedy was to simply build wooden risers for the unit that elevates it up around 8 inches or so. I prefer to stand while working at the lathe. The power is great for most medium to large turnings as well. I have been running this lathe constantly for about 2 years now.
I am 6' tall and found that I was constantly hunching over and over time developed a sore neck. It has run smoothly and consistently since new. I have found that the transmission shifts smoothly and with little effort. I would highly recommend this lathe. The only CON that I would mention is that the working height is much too low for me.
I have always had good service from Jet tools, and this one is a real winner. The head stock on it offers the user the ability to make alot of different items, from pins to large bowls and plates, since it is very easy and quick to turn the head stock to the side to accomadate large turning projects. The small tool trays on each side of the head stock are really handy. We use our lathe almost every day. It is very well built and the folks at Jet really did their homework when they designed this one. I have used ALOT of different lathes, and for the money, this one can't be beat. It is very well built and smooth to use.
I really like the ease in which you can change out the centers and mandrels. This Jet lathe is very well built and has really surprised me with how smooth it runs. The location of these features are great. My Jet lathe has been trouble free and dependable since day 1. We have turned everything from pens to baseball bats (which we have turned several hundred on it) lamps, large fancy bird houses, bowls, plates, cups, numerous legs, just to name a few. I have had this lathe for about 4 years now.
The tail stock is very easy to move and adjust with one hand. The tool rest is also equally as easy to adjust and move, as this is key to staying focused and not wasting time. It has some features that you usually only see on more expensive lathes. I also had wondered if it would be durable enough as we turn on it many hours every week. First off, it was very easy, and quick to set up. I really like the ease in which you can change the speed of the lathe as well as turning it on and off.
This Jet lathe quickly put my fears to rest as the motor has been sufficent for us. I had wondered if the motor was big enough and would be able to handle all that we wanted to do with this lathe.
The only real problem I have encountered is the location of the motor. No price break for owning six Jet products including the hybrid Supersaw. I hate to think that it will need to be replaced every five yrs. ago and I have really enjoyed using it for making pens, tops, boxes, bowls, & a few odds & ends. I purchased the Jet JWL-1236 lathe approx.
or so. 4 yrs. The fine dust created by sanding gets inside the motor & gums it up. Other than this I have no complaints about this lathe. Mine just burned up the other day & it will cost $193 basic cost for a new one.
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