I need a bigger lathe

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Neillarson

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Crystal Lake, IL, USA.
As we all probably say, but in my case, I need a cheap one as I will not use it much. I really like my Jet mini.

Any experience with either of these lathes?

14'' x 40'' LATHE WITH 6'' SANDER

or

12'' x 33-3/8'' WOOD LATHE WITH REVERSIBLE HEAD?


I have a need once in awhile to do 30 to 32 inch spindles. These are cheap, but if they are of decent quality, maybe worth the price.


Thanks


Neil Larson
 
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If you are talking HF, I would stay away from the 14x40 if it is the one with the square tubing. Very flexing, from what I hear. If the other is similar to the delta/jet type, I have heard that they are decent for what you would need it for
 
If you only want the larger lathe in order to enable the production of longer spindles, have you considered the bed extension for your Jet 1014? It enables you to turn up to 40" between centers, and is available for about $50 from Amazon.com.
 
Originally posted by LostintheWoods
<br />If you only want the larger lathe in order to enable the production of longer spindles, have you considered the bed extension for your Jet 1014? It enables you to turn up to 40" between centers, and is available for about $50 from Amazon.com.
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This gets my vote as well. My first lathe was the one w/the sander you mentioned... major POS! LOML got it for me for Christmas one year. I sold it a few months later and bought a good lathe.
 
The problem I forsee with the Jet Mini extension is that unless you purchase or already own a longer tool rest you're stuck with the standard 6" rest that comes with the lathe. On a 30" piece you're going to have to adjust the position of the rest and the banjo a minimum of 5 times per pass, likely more.

The Central Machinery 12 X 33 3/8 (Harbor Freight #34706) is essentially a Jet 12336 knockoff and was my first lathe but has since been passed on to a sibling. I would have no problem using it today for spindles, pens, boxes, buffing etc. but not for bowls or hollow forms. The 2 major weaknesses of this model are the 600 RPM minimum speed, that is far too fast for larger turnings, and the sheet metal frame is nearly a joke. It can be had for around $200 on sale and is actually a fairly good value at that price. Unlike many other HF lathes it has a common 1X8 RH thread and will accept many standard accessories, the exception being the 25mm toolpost. Unlike the 14X40 lathe the bed is cast and precision ground. This is the primary reason for the difference in shipping weight, 184 pounds for the 12", 88 pounds for the 14".

Jason
 
Yes, I did think very long and hard about the extension for my Jet. The problem with the Jet is not so much size as power. It is great for what it was designed for but does not push the envelope very well.

SInce I have only had it a month, I did not want to jump into an expensive lathe, I wanted a cheap one that I can learn on. The Harbor Freight 12/33 has been great for that, especially as it had a 1" 8TPI head stock and #2 Morse taper, so my Super Nova and my other accessoried fit right on it. Plus, it was on sale for Father's Day and I got it for $199.00. When the time comes to upgrade. I will probably end up jumping to the Jet VS or the Nova DVR and skip the 500 to 750 dollar middle model that most seem to buy.

Thnaks for all you assistance and input.
 
I sure don't but that was the in store price. I would give them a call and tell them you heard of the sale and see if they would honor it for you.

But, Since Fathers Day is not until this coming weekend, it should still be going.
 
I did..and they will..!

Thanks..[:)]

Originally posted by Neillarson
<br />I sure don't but that was the in store price. I would give them a call and tell them you heard of the sale and see if they would honor it for you.

But, Since Fathers Day is not until this coming weekend, it should still be going.
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