Well, so far opinions seem to be pretty evenly split
😉
- Get the Jet
- Don't get the Delta
Ha!
🙂
Well.....it seems as though my thinking isn't main stream here! This is ok.....we all have our opinions. Mine is based on the premises that eventually you'll find yourself looking at lathes in a higher price range than these two you are now considering. Spend less now, because you'll find yourself upgrading later.
If this purchase will be with the thought that this will be your lathe permanently, you may not want to take my advice on this. I suspect there may be one or two of the responders who have used these lathes before, so their opinions should probably be held at a greater value than mine are......that is, from a user's perspective.
If you have an opportunity to use, or see one of these lathes......be sure to use your eyes, and the sense of usefulness you have between your ears. Since you already have some basic knowledge of woodturning, you are already beyond the very basic questions someone who only wishes to turn has.......use that, too!
I'll tell you one thing, I strongly believe a common misconception for many woodturners......the importance some place on the weight of the stand, or legs. Even though ALL weight has a general effect of dampening vibrations, the most important weight is that contained in the lathe itself. Beefiness in the headstock, tailstock, bedways, and spindle are your most important concerns.....and, this is magnified with very heavy, or out of balance workpieces. With the legs (or stand), the most important consideration is rigidity. If the mount isn't solid, all the weight in the world isn't going to prevent the inevitable flexing. I also highly recommend bolting your lathe to a concrete slab.
Another thing to contemplate is the swing of the lathe. I bought my 16" swing (8", for you purists!) Woodfast nearly twenty years ago......and, at that time, it was considered close to the top for quality lathes in it's price range. If I were in the market for a lathe these days, I'd probably think about the Vicmarc. Many lathes now have 20" to 24" swing. This ability is nice to have, but very few of us ever find suitable chunks of wood that big......and, when it does happen, it's a pretty rare event! I thought very seriously of upgrading to a larger lathe once, but I kept asking myself, "what for?". For me, that was a question that was best answered with facts, rather than "pipe dreams"! Although I've done a lot of it in the past, continually throwing money at this past-time isn't my idea of money well spent......getting my hands dirty, and burning some "midnight oil" IS!
As with all free advice.....it's worth exactly what you pay for it!
otis of cologne
