Variable speed motor

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They used to be $115 up until very recently. That is a very good price. I wonder if they are going to discontinue them and this is a way to get rid of the inventory on the shelves?? I don't have one; but several folks have commented on them and been satisfied. No unhappy customers that I can recall.

My only concern is that they have a min. rotational speed of 650 RPMs and that is a little faster than some people prefer.

Still, for the price, you can hardly go wrong.
 
Bob,

I took advantage of their sale the first day it came out a few weeks ago. 45 minutes to install then simply turn a dial to change speeds. I have a Jet mini and the control box seemed bass ackwards so I mounted it on the shelf above the lathe off to the right.

Makes me wish I hadn't been talked out of the variable speed when I bought the mini.
 
Well Bob you got Dawn going again ever since we got our second jet mini a few weeks ago (variable speed) she has been eye balling that conversion kit from psi. now that its down to $85 i dont think she is going to take no for an answer looks like i'm going to have another project real soon.[:D][:D] are you thinking of getting it also?

Shane
 
Thanks Bob for bringing this topic up again! I think he is finaly going to listen and let me order this. [:D] [:D] Since he is hoging the new lathe all the time! [}:)]
Have a great day!

Dawn
 
Wait a minute.... How'd I end up in the middle of a fight between you two? [8D][8D]

Yes, I think I'll order one, but use it on my Taig metal lathe. If it works well, then I'll upgrade my Jet mini also.

You guys take care,
Bob S.
 
Originally posted by Texatdurango
<br />Makes me wish I hadn't been talked out of the variable speed when I bought the mini.
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Regrets always come later [;)].

Kidding aside, I think majority of those who preach that changing belts is no big deal and that $100 is better spent on other turning stuff/supply than towards a VS lathe don't know the real benefit of having one and they don't know what they are missing [:D]. I know ignorance is a bliss but... [:o)]

Of course if (really) tight budget is the restricting factor then the cheaper alternative is the answer.
 
Originally posted by Dario
<br />.....I think majority of those who preach that changing belts is no big deal.....don't know the real benefit of having one.....
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I turn most of my work at 2600 and do my sanding and finishing at 500. Even if I had a VS model, I would still have to change belts.....which I do not find objectionable; but then I like driving a "stick", too. So where is this benefit that I am in blissful ignorance of. And yes, I am on a restricted budget and that 100 bucks made a very nice dent in the price of my band saw.
 
Randy,

As I said, most are and you are on the minority on this I believe (refer to my survey too if you don't believe me).

I too can drive stick or automatic but will choose automatic anytime over stick (unless we are talking about the first automatics). That said, I think the analogy is not there comparing it with a lathe.

What are you missing? Maybe none (in your case). Me, I turn in one speed range (middle) so I never ever switched my belt location while turning. Being able to turn with no disruption is a big thing for me.

FYI, I did switch it when I got the lathe just to learn, see how it is done, and test which one I prefer the most. It stayed in the middle setting since.
 
Originally posted by Dario
<br />... I think majority of those who preach that changing belts is no big deal and that $100 is better spent on other turning stuff/supply than towards a VS lathe don't know the real benefit of having one and they don't know what they are missing [:D].
Click to expand...

Reminds me years ago when buying a car when electric windows and doorlocks first came out, many said they were just gimmicks and not necessary (because they had never had them)!

In my case, I went to the November Wood show last year <b>just to look around </b>and saw a bunch of woodturners who had a demo booth set up. Being interested in a lathe, I talked quite a bit with them and almost to the man, they all recommended the single speed Jet mini lathe because it had more torque than the variable speed, so that's what I bought. Boy was I mislead!

I guess if you mount the largest thing the lathe can handle, the variable speed might bog down but on pens, small boxes and bottle stoppers I see absolutely no difference... except for the simple turn of a dial to speed things down for sanding or up for turning!
 
Originally posted by Dario
<br />Randy,

I think the analogy is not there comparing it with a lathe.
Click to expand...

It is like driving a standard shift without an accelerator. If you are turning at 2600 and need to turn at 2700 just turn the accelerator knob.

Chuckie
 
My first lathe was a variable speed Ryobi. My second is a variable speed Carbatec, which I still have but it hasn't been used in years. My third is a Jet mini with belt/pulley changing. My fourth is a Taig metal lathe, with belt/pulley changing. My interest in the variable speed conversion is for my metal lathe, not my Jet mini. I've used my Jet mini for years, and rarely change speeds. But, on the metal lathe I change speeds frequently, depending on material being turned, roughing cuts vs. finish cuts, drilling, milling, etc.

For pen turning on a Jet mini, put it on the next to highest speed and leave it there. Spend your money on a better way to sharpen tools. JMHO, YMMV.

txbob
 
[:D]
DVR-XP-Energy.jpg
[;)]
 
Originally posted by Dario
<br />Randy,

As I said, most are and you are on the minority on this I believe (refer to my survey too if you don't believe me)......
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I certainly "DO" believe you, Dario, and have seen your poll on the subject. Have to admit that I was a little surprised at the strong preference for the VS model.....7 or 8 to 1, IIRC. My only point was one of balance. A lot of VS owners write as if the VS is the only option and you are crazy if you buy anything else. I just like to see a more balanced presentation so that folks understand there are circumstances where the selection of the non-VS model may be the better choice. When someone asks me for a recommendation, I try to present the pluses and minuses of BOTH models. In fact, many folks asking for a recommendation are newbies who rarely know what they will really want or need. If they insist on a recommendation from me rather than just a list of pros and cons, I recommend the VS model about 80% of the time based almost exclusively on the results of your poll!!
 
Randy,

You are one of those who give great opinion/views/information on IAP (and whose voice I usually listen to) and I do agree that it is better to inform the buyer and let them make their own intelligent decision. There are times however when they just want to know which one others prefer (based on experience) and make their "quick" decision based on that. Both approach work and have their merits.

Maybe I am biased towards VS lathes (and would endorse them most of the time) and will admit that as possibly my fault. [;)]
 
Originally posted by Texatdurango
<br />.....I guess if you mount the largest thing the lathe can handle, the variable speed might bog down but on pens, small boxes and bottle stoppers I see absolutely no difference.....
Click to expand...

George: That "torque" argument sounds like a BS argument to me. Maybe those guys need to sharpen their tools and learn to take lighter cuts??[:D] On many VS machines the torque decreases as you reduce the speed. If you were trying to turn a big unbalanced blank for a 10" bowl and dialed the VS all the way down to 500 RPMs there might be some difficulty; but I don't think that was what the mini was designed to do in the first place.

For pens and smaller craft items, I would hate to carry or use the pen that was large enough to bog down a JET Mini VS!![^]

I wonder if anyone has ever contacted JET and asked for the torque specifications for the two machines.

Everyone I have heard from seems to like the PSI conversion kit pretty well. Seems like now might be the time to buy yourself an early Christmas present?? I just saw a used JET Mini motor sell for $50 on eBay. After eBay fees, etc. the net cost to switch to VS should be less than $50. If you don't like the higher PSI low end, JET sells their own kit. It is more money than the PSI kit; but would still be fairly reasonable. [:D]
 
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