Starting at the top of the slippery slope. Since getting Jet 1642 or PM3250 are out of my range, your thoughts on a Nova Comet or Jet 1221. Thanks. BTW haven't had any luck finding used, going to local chapter meeting in Jan.
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Midi lathe
- Thread starter SteveC
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Originally Posted by SteveC
Starting at the top of the slippery slope. Since getting Jet 1642 or PM3250 are out of my range, your thoughts on a Nova Comet or Jet 1221. Thanks. BTW haven't had any luck finding used, going to local chapter meeting in Jan.
Steve the two lathes you mentioned are sort of apples and oranges.
You have the same thread in the newbie section. You may wish to delete one if them.
The Nova Machine is adequate. Nova loaned us several of their 12" midi lathes for the symposium promotion we did at the Tampa airport in 2014.
Channel 13 ran this on the evening news. You might have seen it on the AAW FACEBOOK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZjqN34Wq0E
As you can see the Nova does an adequate job on decent size natural edge bowl.
The jet IMHO is the best lathe available for under $1,000. Every thing about the Jet is superior to the same feature in the nova.
The nova might be the best available for under $500
The ONEWAY 1224 is the class of the 12" machines. The Vicmarc is nice machine too!
Al
Starting at the top of the slippery slope. Since getting Jet 1642 or PM3250 are out of my range, your thoughts on a Nova Comet or Jet 1221. Thanks. BTW haven't had any luck finding used, going to local chapter meeting in Jan.
Steve the two lathes you mentioned are sort of apples and oranges.
You have the same thread in the newbie section. You may wish to delete one if them.
The Nova Machine is adequate. Nova loaned us several of their 12" midi lathes for the symposium promotion we did at the Tampa airport in 2014.
Channel 13 ran this on the evening news. You might have seen it on the AAW FACEBOOK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZjqN34Wq0E
As you can see the Nova does an adequate job on decent size natural edge bowl.
The jet IMHO is the best lathe available for under $1,000. Every thing about the Jet is superior to the same feature in the nova.
The nova might be the best available for under $500
The ONEWAY 1224 is the class of the 12" machines. The Vicmarc is nice machine too!
Al
I can recommend the Jet 1221....
Steve:
During the recent Black Friday sale that Jet was having for 15% off of woodworking machinery, I just bought a Jet 1221 (I already own 4 lathes; the 1221 is now my 5th lathe!), and am very impressed with the additional features of this model relative to the older Model 1220 (which I still have and use for traveling and remote demonstrations). The variable speed is nicely adjustable, the motor has enough HP and torque, and the updated features are worth the additional cost for this iteration of Jet's midi-lathe. The only negative I can see is that the spindle design leaves too small a shoulder for chucks to seat against; I have been told that Jet is working on some sort of re-design of the spindle. I also have to get used to the somewhat longer lag time for the lathe to come up to speed; it's a bit slower to reach speed than my other lathes, but is not objectionable.
I have not had the 1221 very long - about a month - (but have had my 1220 for at least 3-4 years), and I can tell you that the 1221 is an impressive machine. I think it provides a lot of great features (including reverse and good SLOW-end variable speed), and is a pretty good overall "bang for the buck". While it can't replace my Robust American Beauty or Jet 1642-2 as far as capacity and versatility, for a midi-lathe it is one that I can confidently recommend to beginners - you will get a lot of mileage out of the Jet 1221!! Good luck with your decision!!
Turn safely!
Rob Wallace
Steve:
During the recent Black Friday sale that Jet was having for 15% off of woodworking machinery, I just bought a Jet 1221 (I already own 4 lathes; the 1221 is now my 5th lathe!), and am very impressed with the additional features of this model relative to the older Model 1220 (which I still have and use for traveling and remote demonstrations). The variable speed is nicely adjustable, the motor has enough HP and torque, and the updated features are worth the additional cost for this iteration of Jet's midi-lathe. The only negative I can see is that the spindle design leaves too small a shoulder for chucks to seat against; I have been told that Jet is working on some sort of re-design of the spindle. I also have to get used to the somewhat longer lag time for the lathe to come up to speed; it's a bit slower to reach speed than my other lathes, but is not objectionable.
I have not had the 1221 very long - about a month - (but have had my 1220 for at least 3-4 years), and I can tell you that the 1221 is an impressive machine. I think it provides a lot of great features (including reverse and good SLOW-end variable speed), and is a pretty good overall "bang for the buck". While it can't replace my Robust American Beauty or Jet 1642-2 as far as capacity and versatility, for a midi-lathe it is one that I can confidently recommend to beginners - you will get a lot of mileage out of the Jet 1221!! Good luck with your decision!!
Turn safely!
Rob Wallace
Steve,
Having been right where you are a few years ago, I have a few thoughts that will hopefully be helpful.
1. Check additional clubs in your neck of the woods to see if they have any members selling lathes. Let folks know you're looking--when I did this, I got half a dozen responses from people who had been thinking about selling a lathe, but hadn't gotten around to listing yet.
2. I could do 90% of the turning I do on a 12" lathe. If you already know what kinds of things you'll be turning, you will know if 12" will be enough.
3. If you want a large, new lathe, you can get a lot of lathe for the buck, not the Perfect Lathe, but a lot of lathe, in the Nova 1624, often on sale, including reconditioned at the Teknatools USA web site or Woodcraft. (+/- $1200)
Great idea to get involved with the local club.
Having been right where you are a few years ago, I have a few thoughts that will hopefully be helpful.
1. Check additional clubs in your neck of the woods to see if they have any members selling lathes. Let folks know you're looking--when I did this, I got half a dozen responses from people who had been thinking about selling a lathe, but hadn't gotten around to listing yet.
2. I could do 90% of the turning I do on a 12" lathe. If you already know what kinds of things you'll be turning, you will know if 12" will be enough.
3. If you want a large, new lathe, you can get a lot of lathe for the buck, not the Perfect Lathe, but a lot of lathe, in the Nova 1624, often on sale, including reconditioned at the Teknatools USA web site or Woodcraft. (+/- $1200)
Great idea to get involved with the local club.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I agree with the others. I have a large lathe but in my case I'd say more like 95% of the things I turn can be done on a mini or midi lathe. When looking or a lathe you have to cruise sites like ebay, craigs list and LSN daily if not more than once a day. Lathes move fast. I see deals all the time and then I see some that aren't deals. There is a Sear round tube lathe with duplicator on a workbench for $450. I'd say it's worth maybe $200 at best. I'm not a fan of the round tube lathes. For $450 you can buy brand new mini lathes of various brands and they will all turn better than the round tube lathes.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2004
- Messages
- 9,087
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- 5,640
- Location
- Lakeland, Florida
- Website
- www.hockenberywoodturning.com
I agree that used lathes are often the best bargain.
We have three clubs in central Florida that share equipment for sale.
There are a couple of guys who buy, fix up, and sell used lathes.
And our local Robust dealer helps his clients sell their current machines.
These are forwarded to the club member through email.
The good ones don't last long.
Often used lathes come with a lots of stuff like chucks, tools, tool rests, centers ....
We have three clubs in central Florida that share equipment for sale.
There are a couple of guys who buy, fix up, and sell used lathes.
And our local Robust dealer helps his clients sell their current machines.
These are forwarded to the club member through email.
The good ones don't last long.
Often used lathes come with a lots of stuff like chucks, tools, tool rests, centers ....
Used lathes -- if you can find one that you want -- can be a good deal. Midis can indeed do many of the common turning projects.
I have done demos on both the Jet 1221 (several times) and the Nova Comet (once), and would recommend only the Jet. As one other reply noted, the comparison is essentially apples vs oranges.
Ironically, the last demo I did was on a Powermatic, turning things that could easily have been done on a midi, or even a mini.
I have done demos on both the Jet 1221 (several times) and the Nova Comet (once), and would recommend only the Jet. As one other reply noted, the comparison is essentially apples vs oranges.
Ironically, the last demo I did was on a Powermatic, turning things that could easily have been done on a midi, or even a mini.
Jet 1221 experience
I have been turning on a Jet 12x21 VS for the past year and I could not be more pleased. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of getting started in woodturning. I am very pleased with the quality of the machining of this latest generation of midi-lathes. I have turned a wide variety of objects on the Jet 1221 including lidded boxes, utilitarian items, bowls, hollow forms etc.
I base my assessment on my past experience with other lathes. I have owned several lathes over the years (sears, Delta midi 10", Nova 3000, and Delta 16x42). I have also had the opportunity to turn on several lathes at the club and through workshops (Powermatic, Robust, and the newer Delta 12" variable speed midi lathe). The newer Delta 12" VS is also much improved over its predecessor. But after having turned on both the Delta and the Jet, I lean towards the Jet because it feels a bit more substantial and slightly better overall. (The Delta does have a better price point).
The Jet certainly does not have the power that my old Delta 16" or any of the larger lathes. But I have found that I am turning smarter, safer, and more efficiently with the 1 hp motor. I was concerned that I would not be able to turn hollow forms, but am pleased with how well it has worked for me (no stall outs).
It is unlikely you will find one of these used as it has only been out for a little more than a year. Just pay attention to the Jet woodworking sales and you might be able to get it at a 10-15% discount.
I have been turning on a Jet 12x21 VS for the past year and I could not be more pleased. I would recommend it to anyone thinking of getting started in woodturning. I am very pleased with the quality of the machining of this latest generation of midi-lathes. I have turned a wide variety of objects on the Jet 1221 including lidded boxes, utilitarian items, bowls, hollow forms etc.
I base my assessment on my past experience with other lathes. I have owned several lathes over the years (sears, Delta midi 10", Nova 3000, and Delta 16x42). I have also had the opportunity to turn on several lathes at the club and through workshops (Powermatic, Robust, and the newer Delta 12" variable speed midi lathe). The newer Delta 12" VS is also much improved over its predecessor. But after having turned on both the Delta and the Jet, I lean towards the Jet because it feels a bit more substantial and slightly better overall. (The Delta does have a better price point).
The Jet certainly does not have the power that my old Delta 16" or any of the larger lathes. But I have found that I am turning smarter, safer, and more efficiently with the 1 hp motor. I was concerned that I would not be able to turn hollow forms, but am pleased with how well it has worked for me (no stall outs).
It is unlikely you will find one of these used as it has only been out for a little more than a year. Just pay attention to the Jet woodworking sales and you might be able to get it at a 10-15% discount.