Lathe upgrade.

Well I just checked the speed ranges against the Rikon I am using now and they are the same. For some reason when I read 250-750 the 750 sounded low. I hardly ever have to move the belt on my lathe now so it looks like the Record Power won’t be any different in that respect.

 

I purchased a Jet 1840 last fall. It is working out to be just the lathe for what I'm doing. More swing than I really need but there in case. My shop is just north of 400 sq ft. I have the lathe positioned with the headstock end towards a wall. Since I don't need the length I moved the head stock down the lathe so the motor is even with that end of the ways. Cut the overall length down by the length of the motor. I am turning mostly segmented urns. I like sliding the headstock down to turn them from the end of the ways. Easier on this old back. I can dial the speed down to 50 rpm. it seems to go slower but quits reading the tach at 50. Works well for sanding and spinning after applying wipe on poly. Of course I jumped up from a Harbor Freight Lathe, so massive improvement for me.

Phil

 

Congrats Phil. I wish Jet still made the 1640 with the rotating headstock.

 

NOS Rusty...maybe call some of the BIG stocking dealers, there might just be 1640 swivel tucked up in the rafters somewhere!! First call to Southern_Tool maybe? Model number & spec sheet says rotate/slide.


Just food for thought.

 

I just pulled the plug and ordered the Record Power.

 

Congrats Rusty. Envoy or Regent? Which dealer? Pulled muscles in arm, gonna have to wait a couple weeks now cause I can’t lift doo-doo.

 

Thanks. I bought the Envoy from Highland Woodworking.

 

Good deal!
Please give us some feedback as you put some hours on it.

 

I consider 3 belt ranges as an advantage because of the increased torque. I consider the minimum speed of 250 as way too high and a deal breaker.

 

I very seldom go down to 250. It has to be out of balance pretty bad to get down there. I don’t use the lathe to put finish on.