Originally posted by jkirkb94
<br />Thanks for the advice, Randy. I was actually thinking about something like a rheostat! Are speed controls for routers rheostat controlled?
I'm not an EE so if my answer needs help, have at it. As I understand it, a rheostat is nothing more than a very large variable resistor. I used the word because that is what you used. Actually, the Rockler device that you are talking about is some sort of electronic speed controller; however, bottom line is that neither will on your JET mini into a VS machine. The Rockler device will only work on universal motors.....the ones that have carbon brushes like routers, Dremels and drills. The motor on the JET is an induction motor and works differently from a universal motor.
If you could find a used treadmill at a garage sale, you could use that motor and controller to run your lathe; but rigging a mount for the motor and controller would require some effort.
One thing that puts me off about the PSI conversion kit is its speed range. Its min. speed is is 650 RPMs whereas the JET VS is 500. Personally, I feel that even 500 RPMs is too fast for the low end.
Another thing you might not know is that the JET VS and the PSI conversion are not true fully variable speed setups. If you wish to move from the fastest speed to the slowest speed, there are still belt changes involved. The JET VS has three speed ranges: 500-1200, 1100-2600 and 1700-3900. I don't know what the PSI ranges are; but I am sure they are similar. I turn my pens at top speed and sand and finish at the slowest speed. Even with a JET VS a belt change would be required!! I have the standard JET and do not find belt changes to be annoying. After a little practice, it can be accomplished in a very short time unless one is a total "KLUTZ." [

] For me the extra money that I would have spent on the VS capability bought me a nice little band saw and the first half of a good drill press!! That being said, there was a poll taken recently and IIRC, about 3/4 of the membership owned or were planning to buy VS models.
There are a number of VS options available to you; but none that I know of are going to be inexpensive. [

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