TattooedTurner
Member
Good morning from the Valley of the Sun! I got some great advice on buying a bandsaw but have run into a huge issue with my Harbor Freight 10" lathe. After having problems with out of round stock some minor investigating has revealed the drive center rotates around my live center. It was dead on when I bought it earlier this year but turning with any accuracy is impossible now and frankly, it's not worth repairing. It will make a good buffing/polishing station, but I will be getting a new lathe today. The contenders are the updated Jet 1221VS that spins at 60-3600rpm with no belt changes, on sale at Rockler for $719. It's adversary being the $529 Nova Comet II with free G3 Comet II reversible chuck, a major advantage since my Nova midi chuck can't spin in reverse. It spins at 250-4000rpm but requires changing between 3 pulleys to achieve this. I'm tired of changing pulleys but I understand a lot can be done on the middle pulley. However, drilling & buffing would still require changing pulleys. The lower speed of the Jet would be better for sanding & drilling and I don't see Nova's 4000rpm being much of an advantage over the 3600rpm top speed of the Jet. 3/4 hp on the Nova vs 1hp with the Jet, point for the Jet. Jet seems a lot beefier & weighs quite a bit more, not a disadvantage since I won't be moving it around. It seems the added weight would mean a better quality build. So once again I ask for advice, should I go ahead & get the Jet? It's $190 more but no belt changes and what appears to be better quality seems worth the price difference. Anybody have experience on both? How about your comments on one or the other from those that have used either one? I really like this updated Jet, it seems as though it's a very nice lathe for a benchtop.
FWIW, I'll be turning 8"-10" bowls frequently, not just pens or other small spindles.
FWIW, I'll be turning 8"-10" bowls frequently, not just pens or other small spindles.