JET 1220 VS 1220 EVS

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rskelly

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Apple Valley Ca
i AM NEW TO HOBBY, HAVE JUST TAKEN MY FIRST PEN TURNING CLASS, I WANT TO HAVE ROOM TO GROW BUT MY LATH BUDGET IS 500+/- . THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO IS $125 IS THIS FEATURE WORTH IT ? IS THE EVS A MUST HAVE OR JUST A ADDITIONAL FEATURE?
:confused:
RANDY
 
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The one without the EVS will require you to adjust the speed by taking off a cover, move the belt on the pulleys needed and tension it appropriately. With EVS you can control the speed with the turn of a knob. The only time you will need to change the belt is to change the torque for larger or smaller turnings.
To me it'd be a must have, it'd make turning that much more fun. No need to waste valuable time playing with the lathe and not actually turning.
 
Last edited:
rskelly said:
...... IS THE EVS A MUST HAVE OR JUST A ADDITIONAL FEATURE?
:confused:
RANDY
Click to expand...

Well, I bought my mini lathe after watching a local turning club doing some demos at a convention center wood show. I asked around and everyone said don't get the variable speed because it lacked power so I took their advice and didn't. It only took me about two months of getting fed up with changing pulleys every time I wanted to change a task, like turning a pen blank fast then slowing down to sand then going even slower to put a CA finish on. I ordered an aftermarket variable speed unit for around $100 and have been smiling ever since.

Pens are quick items to turn so you'll be changing belts all the time IF you sand slower than you turn and apply polishes to acrylics. I would recommend not making the mistake I did and go ahead and get the variable speed, you'll be glad you did.
 
I have the jet 1220 and I have wished 1000 times that I had bought the 1220vs.
I went out and bought a steel city with the vs so now I have the best of both worlds. So I would reccomend getting the VS right off the bat.
Happy turning!
 
I have the 1220vs. Initially wasn't convinced that the variable speed was critical since I thought my 1014 did just fine. I was wrong. I have been able to drill, turn, and finish most pieces without a belt change.
 
A little different opinion here but I have 3 Jet mini lathes and none of them have EVS. Once you've done it a few times, changing the belt takes only seconds. The motor weighs enough by itself to prevent belt slippage so there's no real need to adjust the belt tightness with each pully change. I also have a 1642EVS, so I do know the difference between EVS turning and non-EVS turning. I would take the extra money and get a 4 jaw chuck.
 
Texatdurango said:
rskelly said:
...... IS THE EVS A MUST HAVE OR JUST A ADDITIONAL FEATURE?
:confused:
RANDY
Click to expand...

Well, I bought my mini lathe after watching a local turning club doing some demos at a convention center wood show. I asked around and everyone said don't get the variable speed because it lacked power so I took their advice and didn't. It only took me about two months of getting fed up with changing pulleys every time I wanted to change a task, like turning a pen blank fast then slowing down to sand then going even slower to put a CA finish on. I ordered an aftermarket variable speed unit for around $100 and have been smiling ever since.

Pens are quick items to turn so you'll be changing belts all the time IF you sand slower than you turn and apply polishes to acrylics. I would recommend not making the mistake I did and go ahead and get the variable speed, you'll be glad you did.
Click to expand...

I did the same thing as George and after my 1st year bought the speed control. I started off with a bigger lathe and I can tell you from experience that it is a real pain on larger lathes. When I went to VS I would say it improved my turning ability 70%. I now own a VL 300 EVS and have just bought a General Midi VS. So pay the extra and get the VS you will not regret it.

Lin.
 
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