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Fair Price for an 8 Year Old Jet 1642 1.5HP

Rob Wallace

Rob Wallace

Joined
Jun 10, 2004
Messages
792
Likes
10
Location
Ames, Iowa (about 25 miles north of Des Moines)
Website
www.robwallacewoodturner.com
I would like to ask for your opinions or recent experience of what used Jet 1642 1.5 HP (110 V) lathes are selling for these days. The lathe in question belongs to one of our chapter members who recently passed away. Our chapter would like to buy this 8 year old lathe (in good, working condition), and we want to offer his wife a fair price for this lathe.

Any ideas about fair prices or recent experience in selling one of these lathes would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Rob
 
Rob,

If it helps, we recently bought a Nova 3000 for our club off one of our members for $1000. Its between 6-7 years old, pretty decent shape and runs smooth.

I've seen that model Jet going for 1200 - 1800 used depending mostly on age.
 
Used Lathe Pricing

Rob -- FYI

A rule of thumb that I have seen posted on the Forum from time to time
for pricing used lathes, in good condition, is ~ 75% of the current selling price.

I bought my Vicmarc VL 300 a few years ago, when it was about 6 years old.
I initially thought I had paid too much for it used, compared to new, but it was the lathe of choice for me and a used VL300 doesn't come up for sale very often. Upon checking further, I realized that I had only paid 65% of the new selling price and avoided the shipping expense, which also has to be a big factor, as well. An added plus of the transaction was that the lathe was signed by Richard Raffan, one of my favorite professional turners, who later confirmed by email to me that he had used the lathe for a demo in Ohio on the date that he had signed it.

Lee Tourtelotte
www.mnwoodturners.com
 
My rule of thumb is 50% of list price (which is usually higher then sales price).
Since I'm usually the one selling, it's my rule.
I usually don't have too much trouble selling, although the Jet 1014 had to go on Craigs List several times to actually sell.
 
Lathe Price

We bought this model from a guy moving to Florida for $200. Frankly, I think that's all a Jet is worth. Our members have had many bearing and drive problems with them. I hear about it every month. The latest was a member having to replace a 3 year old motor.
 
you can put new bearings in with labor for $250
 
Have to laugh at Paul's response and sorry you've seen and heard of a few having issues, but, I think you fall into a very small minority. Most peoples impression of the Jet has been positive from what I've read over the years. I don't own a large Jet(Stubby is my main lathe), but do own a 1014vs and that thing is great. Quality castings, smooth and tight bearings and spindle, and quiet and dependable motor. I do all my small a on it because of convenience. Great lathe. I can't personally comment on the larger ones but most comments and reviews on Jet lathes have been very positive.
 
Brian McInturff said:
Have to laugh at Paul's response and sorry you've seen and heard of a few having issues, but, I think you fall into a very small minority. Most peoples impression of the Jet has been positive from what I've read over the years. I don't own a large Jet(Stubby is my main lathe), but do own a 1014vs and that thing is great. Quality castings, smooth and tight bearings and spindle, and quiet and dependable motor. I do all my small a on it because of convenience. Great lathe. I can't personally comment on the larger ones but most comments and reviews on Jet lathes have been very positive.
Click to expand...

I agree with Brian's comment. I have turned on at least 10 different jet 1642s. A few 5-6 times. They are good machines.
Most had the 110 motors. They have enough power for any bowl you can put on it.
I do slow my feed rate to match the jet but not too much.
I also have to slow my feed rate on lots of other lathes including the 20" Powermatic which has plenty of power.

I'm sure there a few lemons out there, I haven't seen one.

Al
 
Last edited:
Brian, it may be a small number, but bad things do happen especially if a product comes from someplace where quality is just a foreign word with no exact translation.

Here is a thread on this forum from three years ago regarding the Jet 1642 motor problems: Jet 1642 Motor Problems

It seems like there were more than a few Jet 1642 lathes with motor problems back then.
http://www.aawforum.org/vbforum/showthread.php?t=7098
 
Bill,
If I searched I could find where there were problems with just about every lathe produced. Just like the one posted about the set screw issue on the Powermatic. Should we consider it a bad lathe and only worthy of $200? There are always a few, and yes, a few, lemons in everything. But, you know that. Maybe being a little of "the devils advocate" here?
 
Hi fellows from where I'm sitting you seem to have lost Robs post request he didn't ask how good it was but what it was worth. Just my 2 cents worth.

Ian
 
I bought one of these about 18 - 24 months ago for $900. It was 5 - 10 years old at the time. It has worked well and I would have paid more if challenged - -I just happened to be the first to offer the asking price. Heard several comments that I got a steal. I think I paid a bit more that the original owner paid for - may be one of several benchmarks - -
 
Thank you for all of the comments and discussion. For the Jet 1642 1.5 HP, the going price these days seems to be between $ 1,000 and $ 1,500 depending on age, condition, and what accessories might be included.

I completely disagree with Paul that this lathe is worth $ 200. For many, many woodturners the Jet 1642 is one of the best lathes one can buy in its size class - you get quite a bit of "bang for the buck" given its specifications, design, and turning capabilities. For those that can not afford a Powermatic 3520 or larger lathes, this is one of the most popular 'go-to' lathes. Although I now own and use a Robust American Beauty as my main lathe, I also still own a Jet 1642 lathe (2 HP) that I have formerly used as my main lathe since July 2003 (I paid $1,200 for it then). Throughout the past 10+ years, I have not had a single problem with it, and I do not intend to sell this lathe. It is still fully functional, great for turning longer spindles than the standard American Beauty can handle, and I have many accessories for it that make it a complete "second" lathe system for teaching, for turning 2 different projects at the same time, and it also can be quickly set up for the Jamieson hollowing system. It really wouldn't make any sense to sell it!

We are going to purchase Karl's lathe for $1,000 - his wife wants our chapter to own it (probably along with other related turning items that we also will acquire) and in some way Karl will be with us at our chapter meetings even though he has passed.

Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions!

Rob
 
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