BruceK
Member
I just got a Jet mini lathe variable speed retro kit for the 1014. Part number is M-708351VSR. I didn't even realize that these things were available and just happened upon it by accident. I purchased it off ebay for about $89 including shipping.
Installation was easy and the included instructions were excellent with pictures detailing each step. It took me about an hour to complete the changeover. You take out the existing powerswitch, remove the motor, the side door and the upper pulley. You then put in a new upper pulley, install the variable speed control, mount the DC motor and Bob's your uncle!
For whatever reason I didn't realize that the existing motor was replaced with the DC version, so now I have either a spare motor or something I can use for perhaps a buffing station. After some use, I can tell the DC motor does not have the torque of the 1/2 hp motor. You do lose the indexing feature when you remove the existing top pulley but that is something I hadn't used. All in all, I'm happy with the changeover.
Installation was easy and the included instructions were excellent with pictures detailing each step. It took me about an hour to complete the changeover. You take out the existing powerswitch, remove the motor, the side door and the upper pulley. You then put in a new upper pulley, install the variable speed control, mount the DC motor and Bob's your uncle!
For whatever reason I didn't realize that the existing motor was replaced with the DC version, so now I have either a spare motor or something I can use for perhaps a buffing station. After some use, I can tell the DC motor does not have the torque of the 1/2 hp motor. You do lose the indexing feature when you remove the existing top pulley but that is something I hadn't used. All in all, I'm happy with the changeover.