I originally bought the turncrafter pro VS. Part of it was me being new, but part of it was the quality of the machine. For one, the tool rest became very worn down after making only a few pens. I decided to try making a bowl. I put the block on a faceplate and screwed it on the machine. I turned the bowl and then couldn't get it unscrewed. I didn't know about using a wooden washer in between, but regardless, I stuck the pry bar that comes with the machine and is for this purpose...to turn the spindle. I put wrench on faceplate and using the two tools I pulled to unscrew the faceplate. The pry bar bent. The holes in the spindle became elongated. The metal is too soft and the pry bar too wimpy. I called, complained and returned the machine.
Now I have the jet 10 14VSI. That's what I bought when I got my money back. several hundred pens turned, the tool rest has almost no wear. It has a locking pin to lock the spindle. I push in the pin, spin the head and the faceplate or chuck turns right off. Being a newbie, especially at that time, I was bound to make some mistakes. The first machine was not strong enough to take a beginners abuse. The jet takes a licken and keeps on ticken.
Another thing..if you buy the turncrafter at PSI and don't like it, you can return it no matter what you do to it within the first 30 days. That's what they say and that is true, BUT...you pay the return shipping and do not get re-imbursed for the return shipping nor do you get the initial shipping money back. That's a loss of about $100.
