Purchasing New Lathe - Need your thoughts!

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kevrob

kevrob

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Dear all:

I am looking into getting a new lathe so I can turn bowls and other larger items - but of course will still continue to turn many pens. I currently have a Harbor Freight mini lathe, which has been good for learning and getting started. But now that I want to purchase chucks and a few other accessories, I don't see the point of getting them for the HF when they won't fit a new lathe (was thinking about waiting another year or so) - so I am biting the bullet and getting a new lathe. Therefore, I am taking recommendations.

I am thinking about either the Jet VS Pro Wood Lathe, JWL-1442VSK. I have read many reviews, but wonder what you all who might have that lathe think. I am not opposed to a bench top lathe either - but would like to be able to turn bowls as well - nothing HUGE, but some larger ones. Do you all have any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Assuming budget limits --

Variable speed is good -- and electronic variable speed is better than reeves drives (yup they work but do require maintenance and care).

Unless you are headed to the top end -- Nova, Jet etc are good lathes and your turning style is more important than anything else.

That jet is a great choice -- if it fits your available space and the style of turning you are looking at.
 
I have the Jet 1642EVS 2 and love it. I've used the Powermatic 3520B quite a bit in my woodturning classes and it's correctly considered a great machine. My 1642EVS (made by the same company) is very similar in every respect except in its ability to handle the largest of logs.

I would not even consider a lathe that did not have electronic speed control. I use it all the time.

Most non-metric full-sized lathes use 1 1/4" x 8 tpi for their spindle thread with a #2 Morse taper. You can always buy accessories made for this size and use an adapter to fit them to your current lathe. That way you can take your time on your purchase and wait for a great sale.
 
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I made the move to the Delta 46-460 and have really enjoyed it. Runs smooth and the VS is used quite a bit. Solid built and (IMHO a good value for the buck) runs smooth and has all the power I've needed so far. Compared it to many models, jet, rikon, grizzly and it kept showing the best performance for what I was looking for. Reviews are positive, but I take those with a slight skeptical approach.
Either jet or delta are great machines. I didn't have the funds for a nova. But I don't know that I would have made a different purchase.

Good luck on the decision.
 
I have the Jet 1220VS and can find no faults with it. As others have said the VS is well worth the extra. If you can use a bench top either the Jet 1220VS or the Delta 46-460 would be a good choice.
 
I have an general maxi lathe vs. Love it. The controller card went on it 4 weeks ago. Call general and they would send out a new controller card at no charge. Instead I receive a new head stock (55 lbs) at no charge. This is a $400.00 item. Great customer support.
 
I have the Jet 1014VS. If you do not need it for turning anything over 14" long or 8" round, it is a great machine. Belt gear changes are very simple and the VS is a must I think. I LOVe IT!
 
They say "buy the best you can afford"... If I were you, I'd wait untill I can afford a oneway. A better lathe will not loose as much value if it ever needs to be resold, it will make you smile every time you walk into your shop, and it will help you become a better turner faster. Just mho.
 
The Powermatic 3520 series is a great lathe at a lower cost than a top end Oneway

Buy you chucks and later get adaptors to fit the drive spindle.

Don
 
Lathe

You know you didn't say how big you wanted to go. The HF floor model will do a 12" bowl, and is thwe exact same lathe as the JET 1236" Check out the owners manual if yo think I'm kidding. I have had one for over a year turned about 300 pens and a dozen bowls and it hasn't given me a bit of problem.


Dennis
Pine Lumber :RockOn::bananen_smilies104:
 
Wow, great info and options. Thanks everyone. I am thinking I want to start fairly small on bowl turning, and increase from there...

However. I love the oneway and powermatic, but that seems to be much more than I want to spend at this point in time. After I posted the other day, I began to look a little closer at the Nova DVR xp. I like the power and the fact that the head rotates to turn larger items. I have seen good reviews on this lathe and many positive comments. Does anyone have an bad experiences with this lathe? Or soemthing that I may have overlooked?
 
I've had the DVR XP for about 18 months.
It's a great lathe, and a particularly good value when found on sale (as I did).

Here's a photo of mine rigged up with a vacuum chuck.

vac_setup_a.jpg
 
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