I want to purchase a lathe for projects here in my wood shop. the
price range is between $500 and $1000. I read on the net about the
Jet lathe but I would like to hear from some of you guys as to a good
system for my shop. I am not a beginner in wood working but never
tried any lathe work. Any suggestions?
In article <[email protected]>,
<[email protected]> wrote:
> I want to purchase a lathe for projects here in my wood shop. the
> price range is between $500 and $1000. I read on the net about the
> Jet lathe but I would like to hear from some of you guys as to a good
> system for my shop. I am not a beginner in wood working but never
> tried any lathe work. Any suggestions?
Is that your total budget or just the budget for the lathe? Add $500 -
$1000 for chucks and tools... to start.
"Ralph E Lindberg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>
>
> If I was buying later in the year, I would consider
> http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/25200a.html this lathe
That is a nice looking lathe.
Mon, May 29, 2006, 2:14pm (EDT+4) [email protected] doth scribble:
I want to purchase a lathe for projects here in my wood shop. the price
range is between $500 and $1000. I read on the net about the Jet lathe
but I would like to hear from some of you guys as to a good system for
my shop. I am not a beginner in wood working but never tried any lathe
work. Any suggestions?
Hell yes I've got a suggestion. Buy my HF lathe. I'll make you a
good deal, $250, and I'll toss in the stand I made, and the chisels.
Works great.
Unless you're gonna do some really fancy lathe work I don't know
why most of you would put out so much money for a lathe. A first lathe
at any rate My HF lathes is very seady on the stand I made, doesn't
vibrate, aligns well, 37" between centers, etc. Not quite as purty as
the fancier lathes, but at around $127 new, it is better made, and
sturdier, then some $300+ lathes I've seen.
I got a set of el cheap HF lathes tools (ab out $10 for 6). I
figured I'd practice sharpening with those, and turning, then replace
them when they wore out. Well, I'm still using them - they're made out
of a bit softer seetl then I'd like, and the handles are not long enough
to my taste, but basically, they do the exact same things expensive
tools will do, but need sharpening oftener. But, one of these days I'll
probably get around to making my own - with handles around 18" long.
I'd say get a HF lathe, or shop the local brgain papers for a used
one. Get some decent lathe tools. Then use it and see if you actually
need/want a more expensive lathe. Your money, your choice.
Me I figured I start with what I could afford, and later move up.
It does everything I want it do do, so I doubt seriourly I'll ever
replace it. If I ever do decide to replace it one day, I figure I'll
make the next one, out of wood, or metal, will depend on my mood at the
time. It ain't rocket science.
JOAT
Never confuse "Oh, I can't do this!" with "Oh, I've never done this!".
- JOAT
Hello Leon:
So if I was to get a "VS Jet Mini Lathe" it's lowest speed would be 500 RPM?
So what do you suggest. It would feel odd to put a $1,000.00 VSC on a
$250.00 lathe.
Reason I ask is I too have not used or bought a lathe yet . . . .
Thanks in advance . .
Steve
on" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "C&S" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> >
> > 2. You want to make big dameter bowls (>8"). The 1442 has a minumum
speed
> > of
> > around 450RPM. The first time you chuck up a 14 lb blank that is just a
> > wee
> > bit out of balance and then spin it at 450 RPM, after you change your
> > shorts, you'll know what I mean. This is why people pay an *additional*
> > $1000 for Electronic variable speed. The only way to get really low RPM
is
> > EVS for rig your own pully system.
> >
>
> I have the Jet but before I bought it again and a $1000 EVS I would buy
the
> bigger Delta for less money, equipped with adjustable belt ranges, EVS,
> larger capacity, and Baldor motor.
>
>
Just had the same problem myself. Spent about a month looking at the specks
on lathes from HF to One way. After going through it all and looking at
the equipment I bought the Jet 1442 and have few regrets. Fit and finish of
all parts was great, operation is smooth and little or no vibration even
with off center turnings, speed control works smoothly after the first few
uses and all parts that are supposed to slide do so smoothly after waxing
the bed. Problems are that the speed control handle gets in the way at
high speed when you are turning near the head spur and when you turn off the
motor. Neither is a major concern though. For the money I don't think you
could do better.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to purchase a lathe for projects here in my wood shop. the
> price range is between $500 and $1000. I read on the net about the
> Jet lathe but I would like to hear from some of you guys as to a good
> system for my shop. I am not a beginner in wood working but never
> tried any lathe work. Any suggestions?
"Petrified Woodworker" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:L6Jeg.205755$5Z.68132@dukeread02...
> Hello Leon:
>
> So if I was to get a "VS Jet Mini Lathe" it's lowest speed would be 500
> RPM?
> So what do you suggest. It would feel odd to put a $1,000.00 VSC on a
> $250.00 lathe.
>
> Reason I ask is I too have not used or bought a lathe yet . . . .
>
> Thanks in advance . .
> Steve
For a Jet Mini or any other small lathe I would not worry too much about the
lowest speed. You need the slower speeds on the "larger diameter capacity"
lathes. With these lathes you need to go slow because the outer perimeter
speed of the large pieces of wood can be much higher. Typically spindle
turning and the like do not need slow speeds on small lathes.
I would not consider a speed controller or a lathe with Electronic Speed
Control unless I was sure that I wan hooked on turning.
You may want to ask at rec.crafts .woodworking
Do you want to turn between centers or make bowls? or both? What kind of bed
length to you require?
This info will help guide your purchase.
I happen to own the JET 1442. I am very happy with it... it was the right
lathe for my needs and my price point. Since you have apparently already
read lots of pro-jet testimonials I'll tell you why you should *not* buy a
1442.
1. You only plan to do spindle work. smallish diameter work (3" or less)
between centers is undemanding work for a lathe. You could probably meet you
needs with a lesser machine.
2. You want to make big dameter bowls (>8"). The 1442 has a minumum speed of
around 450RPM. The first time you chuck up a 14 lb blank that is just a wee
bit out of balance and then spin it at 450 RPM, after you change your
shorts, you'll know what I mean. This is why people pay an *additional*
$1000 for Electronic variable speed. The only way to get really low RPM is
EVS for rig your own pully system.
3. You may want to spend less money to see if you want to just try out the
whole lathe thing. In which case, buy whatever you can find used and resell
it for close to what you paid once you figure out what your really want.
-Steve
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to purchase a lathe for projects here in my wood shop. the
> price range is between $500 and $1000. I read on the net about the
> Jet lathe but I would like to hear from some of you guys as to a good
> system for my shop. I am not a beginner in wood working but never
> tried any lathe work. Any suggestions?
"C&S" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> You may want to ask at rec.crafts .woodworking
D'ho!
That's rec.crafts .woodturning
You can turn small stuff on a bigger lathe, but you can *only* turn
small stuff on a small one. Something that will let you turn an 11" or
12" diameter workpiece and that has a minimum of 36" between centers
should be versatile enough to keep you busy for a long time, assuming
you want to try turning a little bit of everything over time. Consider
also that you'll spend several hundred on chisels of various types,
scroll chucks and their multitude of accessories, polishes, etc., etc.
Consequently it becomes a matter of principle to scrounge for free wood!
J.
[email protected] wrote:
> I want to purchase a lathe for projects here in my wood shop. the
> price range is between $500 and $1000. I read on the net about the
> Jet lathe but I would like to hear from some of you guys as to a good
> system for my shop. I am not a beginner in wood working but never
> tried any lathe work. Any suggestions?
In article <[email protected]>,
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
...
>
> For a Jet Mini or any other small lathe I would not worry too much about the
> lowest speed. You need the slower speeds on the "larger diameter capacity"
> lathes. With these lathes you need to go slow because the outer perimeter
> speed of the large pieces of wood can be much higher. Typically spindle
> turning and the like do not need slow speeds on small lathes.
>
If I was buying later in the year, I would consider
http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/25200a.html this lathe
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"C&S" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> 2. You want to make big dameter bowls (>8"). The 1442 has a minumum speed
> of
> around 450RPM. The first time you chuck up a 14 lb blank that is just a
> wee
> bit out of balance and then spin it at 450 RPM, after you change your
> shorts, you'll know what I mean. This is why people pay an *additional*
> $1000 for Electronic variable speed. The only way to get really low RPM is
> EVS for rig your own pully system.
>
I have the Jet but before I bought it again and a $1000 EVS I would buy the
bigger Delta for less money, equipped with adjustable belt ranges, EVS,
larger capacity, and Baldor motor.
On Mon, 29 May 2006 15:49:31 -0500, "Petrified Woodworker"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Hello Leon:
>
>So if I was to get a "VS Jet Mini Lathe" it's lowest speed would be 500 RPM?
>So what do you suggest. It would feel odd to put a $1,000.00 VSC on a
>$250.00 lathe.
>
>Reason I ask is I too have not used or bought a lathe yet . . . .
I haven't used the Jet, but I've maxed out the Delta midi a time or
two, and the lowest speed seemed fine. It wasn't until I maxed out
the 12" gap bed lathe (12" dia x 41" spindle) I have that I wished I
could slow the workpiece down a little more. Everyone is a little
different when it comes to technique and comfort level when they get
on the lathe, but the low end speed on the little lathes seems ok to
me. In no case would I bother putting an aftermarket VS system that
cost that much on a little lathe- and for that price, I think I'd
rather buy something with a Reeve's drive.