Just Ordered a Lathe

[Rich Aldrich]

I just ordered a Jet 1642 - 1 1/2 HP lathe from Amazon. $1652 shipped to my door step. I talked to one of the customer representatives last week to see if I could get a little better deal if they dropped it off at the paper mill where I work, but the lathe is shipped from Jet but the shipping is handled by Jet.

I have never turned before, but I think I will like it. This is quite a starter lathe, but I don't expect to ever have to replace it. I bet it looks like overkill when you turn a pen on it. On the otherhand, I be you can still make it bounce with an out of balance bowl blank turning too fast.

I was torn between the Grizzly G0698 and the Jet, but the drive issues with the G0698 made my decision a lot easier. My wife doesn't normally comment on these things, but she also thought the Jet was the way to go because it has been out for several years, has a proven track record, and has a 5 year warantee (for what a warantee is worth).

Time had been fly by to fast this year so this next week or two should go slow while I wait.

 

[Charlie Knighton]

congratulations, enjoy

 

[Roger Chandler]

Congrats!

I just ordered a Jet 1642 - 1 1/2 HP lathe from Amazon. $1652 shipped to my door step. I talked to one of the customer representatives last week to see if I could get a little better deal if they dropped it off at the paper mill where I work, but the lathe is shipped from Jet but the shipping is handled by Jet.

I have never turned before, but I think I will like it. This is quite a starter lathe, but I don't expect to ever have to replace it. I bet it looks like overkill when you turn a pen on it. On the otherhand, I be you can still make it bounce with an out of balance bowl blank turning too fast.

I was torn between the Grizzly G0698 and the Jet, but the drive issues with the G0698 made my decision a lot easier. My wife doesn't normally comment on these things, but she also thought the Jet was the way to go because it has been out for several years, has a proven track record, and has a 5 year warantee (for what a warantee is worth).

Time had been fly by to fast this year so this next week or two should go slow while I wait.

Hi Rich,

Congrats on your new Jet. I think you will like it, and it will probably serve you well. Let us know when you get it how the spindle turns at 50 rpm or below.

I think a number of folks got a little scared when they saw the pulsing issue with the G0698. In the grand scheme of things in the turning world, I don't see that as anything more than an annoyance, because we know it is there, and we want perfection for our hard earned dollars. Most turners I have watched at our local club, and those I have done over the last 8 or so years, were well over 250 rpms, and Grizzly now rates the G0698 at 100rpm.

I still think the Go698 is a good lathe, comparable to the Jet in features and quality. Maybe the folks at Grizzly will "man up" and give the guys an option other than returning the lathe, or "live with it." I believe if they would, they could indeed address this and correct it.

I wish you happy turning and much success as you embark upon this wonderful world of wood turning, and remember the words of others on the other forum .... this is truly a "VORTEX" but it is a good one to be in! 😀

 

[Tony Latham]

That's the lathe I have and I swear by it.

One thing you need to be ready for is setting it up... It's heavy. You can get an idea what to expect from this website that features the 1642's big brother, (the Powermatic 3520).
http://docs.google.com/View?docID=d4b7vjd_19f4xnj9&revision=_latest

The bed is probably manageable by two adult men. The headstock with the motor is not.

I installed a big & heavy eye-bolt (not a screw) above my garage door and clipped a quality come-along to it. I lifted the bed with it, set it on saw horses, and bolted the legs on. The motor/headstock was done the same way... I don't recall the weight but it is a bunch. Forget just doing this procedure without some major mechanical help!!!

SWEEEEET lathe!😀

TL

p.s. I had built mobile bases for my lathe prior to it's arrival and installed as soon as I had the bed bolted to the legs... it made moving the lathe easy after it was all bolted up.... I stole the mobile base setup from someone else on this forum.... I'll see if I can't find that link.

 

[jack richington]

Jet

I think you will be pleased with your starter lathe. Golly, lucky guy! I have had that model for 2 yrs or so and I think it is a great lathe. I upgraded from 2 mini's a big Grizzly and a Nova 3000. ( I still do bowls on the Nova if they are big, so I can avoid the bending over. ) I doubt you will be disappionted in your 1642.🙂

 

[hockenbery]

Hi Rich,
You will enjoy using that machine.
I encourage you to consider turning classes or at least get some tips from a local AAW chapter.
Most people turn for enjoyment. It is a lot more fun when the tool work for you.

I like the jet 1642. It can do everything that 95% of us turn in a year. Our club owns one and it is living in my shop.

This is more lathe than the average hobby turner will ever need.

One thing I like about the machine is that it is relatively easy to move to a demo location. with the head stock and tail stock removed I can tilt the base onto a dolly and get it on a trailer.

Finally if down the road you decide to get a bigger lathe you can always sell your machine for 3-400 less than the new price.

happy turning,
Al

 

[Rob Wallace]

Some set-up tips....

Rich:

Congratulations on getting a 1642 - I've had this lathe (2 HP version) since they first came out several years ago. It has performed well the entire time I've owned it, and has enabled me to produce a few hundred pieces over the years. It is a very reliable lathe and good value for the money.

I agree that having help while setting it up is a good idea, however I set-up mine by myself and with a little creative 'construction engineering', it went together very well in a few hours. This includes moving the legs, ways, headstock, and other parts from my garage down one flight of stairs into a basement shop, using only a hand truck.

I have previously made several suggestions on setting-up this lathe in a past thread which you can refer to. Check-out this AAW Forum thread on UNCRATING THE JET 1642 to get ready for a few procedures to get your machine set-up correctly the first time.

Of all of the set-up procedures I've done with my 1642 lathe, I think the most important is to spend time cleaning-up the edges of the machined surfaces (all edges of the ways, and all edges of the castings of the headstock, banjo and tailstock where they meet the ways). The "sharp" edges you get from the factory can cause binding as these components slide along the ways. By slightly chamfering them (ca. 1/16") and making sure they are even and smooth, you will find that they slide effortlessly after this is done. I've even had other turners comment on how smooth these parts work on my lathe compared to theirs. Taking the time to do this ONCE at the time you put the lathe together will pay off over easy and enjoyable use over the entire service life of the machine. It is well worth investing the time at the time of first set-up. I also do a twice-per-year thorough cleaning and polishing of the surfaces of the ways with a rubber-abrasive block [fine; from Klingspor] and treat these freshly polished surfaces with Top Cote.

Don't be shy about asking questions of those of us who have lived with this machine for some time. [My next 1642 upgrade project is adding a toggle switch in the headstock and adding a remote push button on-off switch and speed potentiometer that can be taken to the end of the lathe for hollowing.]

Good luck with your new machine!

Rob Wallace

 

[allen jay]

once you are bitten you will want a bigger and better and heavier one.

that is the nature of our hobby.:cool2:

 

[Jay Coulson]

jet lathe

Allen,
I have to agree with you. I had the smaller 1442 and, it was an ok beginner lathe. Of course, I built a shelf to mount on the ledges in between the legs so that I had a place for 3-100 lb. bags of of cement to reduce vibration or possible tip-over. Frankly, I had several other complaints with the Jet. The swing was supposed to be 14 iches but, with the thickness of the banjo on the bed, realistic swing was more like 10". Jet provided an extension attachment to allow moving the banjo from directly under a bowl but, to me it was a poor excuse for a workable banjo and rest. Not being truly variable speed, not being reversible and not being heavy were more of the reasons I got rid of it. Oh yeah, forgot that the spindle lock on the 1442 didn't lock when you pushed on the button. You had to hold it in with one hand while you tried to tighten or remove a bowl from a screw faceplate with the other. And, at 1 hp, a heavy roughing cut on a heavy green blank could stop the lathe completely. I've never made pens but, it was great for bottle stoppers. It was also loud.
The VL 300 seems to have improved on all these charasterics of the Jet .

 

[Rich Aldrich]

New Lathe Assembled

The lathe arrived Friday and I couldnt be home, so I had it delivered to the paper mill where I work. I picked it up late Friday night (the mill is a 24 hr operation) and brought it home on my trailer.

I finally put it together this afternoon.

Rob, thanks for the tips on putting it together.

 

[Rich Aldrich]

New Lathe Assembled Part 2

I was a bit concerned that the sliding table on the table saw might be in the way, but once I put away some of the scrap lumber that was up against the wall, there was quite a bit of room.

It runs smooth and quiet. Did my first practice this evening after dinner.

 

[Roger Chandler]

A Journey Begins

I was a bit concerned that the sliding table on the table saw might be in the way, but once I put away some of the scrap lumber that was up against the wall, there was quite a bit of room.

It runs smooth and quiet. Did my first practice this evening after dinner.

Hello Rich,

Once again, congratulations! Now the fun begins! You will end up with all kinds of accessories and new skills as you go along. I think you will be very happy with your choice of the Jet. It's a fine machine.

Post some of your projects as you go along.....enjoy!🙂

 

[Rich Aldrich]

Roger,

Thanks. I have a big learning curve ahead. I met Steve Schlumpf and he showed me some of his work, his lathe and shop. Now we just have to get together for some lessons. He finally got me to one of the Superiorland AAW Chapter meeting and it was good. I met quite a few people.

 

[Roger Chandler]

mentoring from a master

Roger,

Thanks. I have a big learning curve ahead. I met Steve Schlumpf and he showed me some of his work, his lathe and shop. Now we just have to get together for some lessons. He finally got me to one of the Superiorland AAW Chapter meeting and it was good. I met quite a few people.

Hi Rich,

Gee whiz, what a privilege to be able to have a master like Steve Schlumpf to be a mentor and teach you things it most likely took him years to develop. Your learning curve will probably be much accelerated, and I'll say this, you will probably be achieving great results in short order.

One on one is the very best of all teaching methods, I think, because the teacher can give the student personal attention and input as to technique, etc.

If you are able, then post some pics as you do a few projects along. It is always enjoyable to watch someone's progress. I wish you all the best! 🙂