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New Lathe

R

Richard Wilabee

Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
97
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Location
Palm Springs Area
I am going to finally move from my Shopsmith to a dedicated lathe. I do have the heavy duty tool rest and speed reducer but I'm tired of having to do work arounds to get projects done.

I'm looking at the Jet JWL-1642-2 EVS. It is a 2HP 220 volt with Variable Speed. My budget is going to keep me around 2500.00. My other hobby is Radio Control Airplanes and Helicopters and I spend a fair amount of those. If I try to spend more than that for a lathe I am going to have an unhappy wife. At least I have all the tools so I don't have to purchase any of that stuff.

So I guess my question is: Is this the best lathe for that amount of money. If not any other suggestions? I do realize it is much better than using the Shopsmith.

Thanks

Rich
 
Make some really nice things for her on the lathe. Tell her that the lathe won't get stuck in a tree or fly out of range to never be seen again. Say that you are considering getting a real plane and when you change your mind, she will be so relieved that she won't mind what you spent for the lathe. The Jet is a fine lathe, but be sure to look at the Robust American Beauty.
 
Darn it! I was watching an Australian Woodfast variable speed short bed lathe in California on eBay a couple weeks ago. It could have been bought for around $800, but nobody bid on it. When the listing expired, I deleted it from my watch list, and I don't think I can retrieve that information. Anyway, if you have an eBay account, you might put in a search for Woodfast, it may be relisted, and eBay will email you when it does.......

Anyway, I've heard good things about the Jet 1642, but have no experience with them......

ooc
 
Bill Boehme said:
Make some really nice things for her on the lathe. Tell her that the lathe won't get stuck in a tree or fly out of range to never be seen again. Say that you are considering getting a real plane and when you change your mind, she will be so relieved that she won't mind what you spent for the lathe. The Jet is a fine lathe, but be sure to look at the Robust American Beauty.
Click to expand...

Yes I have been flying so long she probably won't go for any kinds of excuses. That Robust American Beauty is nice but unfortunately way to expensive for me. If it was my only hobby maybe.

Rich
 
odie said:
Darn it! I was watching an Australian Woodfast variable speed short bed lathe in California on eBay a couple weeks ago. It could have been bought for around $800, but nobody bid on it. When the listing expired, I deleted it from my watch list, and I don't think I can retrieve that information. Anyway, if you have an eBay account, you might put in a search for Woodfast, it may be relisted, and eBay will email you when it does.......

Anyway, I've heard good things about the Jet 1642, but have no experience with them......

ooc
Click to expand...

I tracked down that listing. He is in Upland just about an hour from here. The listing says the Seller ended the listing as the item was no longer available. I sent him a message just in case.

Thanks for the tip.

Rich
 
Richard Wilabee said:
I tracked down that listing. He is in Upland just about an hour from here. The listing says the Seller ended the listing as the item was no longer available. I sent him a message just in case.

Thanks for the tip.

Rich
Click to expand...

Good morning, and you are welcome, Richard.....

I've been turning on an original Australian Woodfast lathe for 22 years now, and I can say that it's a quality machine. For $800, that would have been an excellent buy for someone like you......good quality lathe, money left over, and keeps you out of the doghouse, can't beat that!

The Woodfast series from CSUSA had a 1hp motor on their variable speed models, and I know you were considering a 2hp. I've been using 1 1/2hp since I first got the Woodfast. (originally was 1 1/2hp with belt changes, and converted to 1 1/2hp DC VS motor in 2007) I can honestly say I have no need to have more horse power......you will find that the better you get with all things woodturning, the less you will need big power to drive your tools.....with the possible exception of very huge blocks of wood that required a lot of material removal. I've found that 95% of the effort is in the finish cuts, though. I would feel comfortable with the original 1hp that the VS models had.

If that lathe were close to me, I probably would have bought it! IMHO, the price was a steal, for the lathe you get.......

If I may ask, just how did you manage to track the closed listing down? If I knew how to do it, I would have done it before I first responded to the thread.

Anyway, good luck to you........😀

ooc
 
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I've been turning on my Jet 1642-1 for about 2 years and it hasn't let me down. It is a solid lathe with a decent size and able to do anything within its range. The VS control is smooth and reliable and the overall construction is excellent. It is basically the baby brother of the Powermatic mustard monsters.

If you plan to do any large off center pieces, I would recommend bolting the lathe down to the floor. This reduced vibration significantly.

I especially like the sliding headstock feature. I work off the end of the lathe whenever I am turning the inside of a bowl or face of a platter.

The only downside I found is the groove in the spindle for locking the chuck for reverse turning does not match the setscrews of my chucks (Nova) so I can't turn in reverse.
 
Rich,

There are several wood forums that have classified sections, including this site. Check'em out for good deals on used machines. For instance there's a Nova DVR 16-42 up for sale on the WoodCentral board http://www.woodcentral.com/woodworking/forum/classifieds.pl that's located in Grand Junction. Bit of a trip for you, but might be well worth it at the right price.
 
Odie.....

I just logged in to Ebay with my account. Then I went to advanced search which is a choice by the normal search and you can choose completed auctions. Then just put in your search criteria.

Rich
 
Richard Wilabee said:
Odie.....

I just logged in to Ebay with my account. Then I went to advanced search which is a choice by the normal search and you can choose completed auctions. Then just put in your search criteria.

Rich
Click to expand...

Thanks, Rich.......

I didn't know that, but I'm now informed! 😎

ooc
 
Richard,
A used lathe in good condition is a great way to go if the price is right.
The local clubs may know of some in your area.

The jet 1642 is a real nice lathe. It did not sell well when jet was selling the powermatic for less than $500 more, since most folks went for the larger machine.
The 1642 should be selling a lot better now that the powermatic is $2000 more.

The 16" Woodfast is comparable and a good value if it has electric speed control.
There is a shortbed for sale here for $1600.
.
 
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