I can offer my
greenhorn, far-from-expert position on the Jet 1840EVS. I recently decided to work towards becoming a better turner. I sold my aging Jet 1236 and began studying the marketplace for a better machine in the sub-$3,000 range.
In the final running were the Jet 180EVS, the Laguna 1836, the Nova Galaxi DVR and the Harvey T-40 Turbo. I should add that in general, it’s probably hard to buy a
bad lathe in this price range, so regardless of what anyone is a fan of, they made the right choice for themselves.
I turned on the Nova DVR for two days at a class I took in November. It was smooth, quiet and impressive, but too tall for me and too long for the space I have. The Nova’s tool rest and I didn’t get along well either. The Harvey’s fit, finish and precision seemed top-notch. The value proposition was off-putting though. Harvey makes a T50 and T60, but doesn’t import the middle T50. I have the sense that if the T50 was available in the US, it might have pushed me to stretch my budget. For me, it came down to the Jet 1840EVS and the Laguna 1836. I opted for the Jet 1840EVS, reasoning that (non no particular order):
- Jet’s 15% Black Friday sale was in effect, making it $550 less than the Laguna.
- The Jet 1840’s legs have removable risers that permit a 4-inch reduction in height, which better suited my vertically-challenged stature. This also eliminated the need to make and stand on a platform (which I didn’t want in the way in my shop).
- The Jet warranty is longer.
- The Jet sports three headstock bearings versus two on the Laguna.
- The Jet footprint is slightly more compact.
- The Jet provides a movable magnetic emergency stop control.
Having just unpacked and assembled the Jet, I am pleased. Well crated. Very good fit and finish. Quiet, smooth. Silky smooth bed. Solid locking mechanisms. Time will now tell if my decision was right (for me). In any case, that’s how and why I bought what I bought. Here's hoping I become a better turner.
