Help buying a Jet Mini

Or...anyone within driving distance from Stuart want to sell one. reply email, A.

Fortiter,

Sorry Arch, can't help you out in Fla but the local Woodcrafters in Indy sent out a flier recently with the older model on sale for $199.00

-k

I just got the Jet Mini non-vs lathe from Amazon for $199 before a $25 rebate and free shipping. It took me a month to get it after a couple back orders, but it got here eventually and in good condition. The $25 Jet rebate offer is over now, but they do have a deal where you get $50 off a future Amazon.com purchase when you spend $250 or more on Tools & Hardware offered by Amazon.com. In most cases at Amazon, if you spend over $25 you get free shipping and Amazon has almost every type of tool and brand you could possibly want. So if you have a couple other tools to buy (don't we always?) and don't need the lathe right away, it might be a good deal for you.

Greg M

Just got mine @ Amazon for $ 199 no shipping, no tax. Ordered it oin

Thanks for the recs guys !

Hi, Arch,

If you (or others) are eyeing the $199 deal on the Jet mini, get one while you can. I wanted the new variable-speed model, and waited for Toolcrib's local store to have its "10%-off Tool Days". Went there, bought it, VERY pleased so far.

Our local AAW club just bought 3 of the older model for $199, and was considering a fourth, so I asked if they had any in stock. Salesperson looks and says the price will be $250 (less 10%). I asked for more details and we find its a new, non-VS model, same model number as the old one with "B" added. The Jet rep was in the store so I asked what was added to bring the cost up. He tells me the tail-stock end has been machined to fit the bed extensions which will fit my VS model. Not much added value to me, but for others...?

So, if you want one for $199, and find an offer somewhere, I suggest you lock it in. When that model is sold out, you'll pay a good bit more for the "new and improved" one.

Ron Williams Minn-Dak Woodturners Moorhead, MN

I think the rep is blowing smoke. Since I don't have a Jet mini I can't speak with absolute authority...

It's my understanding that the non-VS mini has had the capability to accept the extensions for, maybe, two-three (?) years now. There's even a kit available from Jet to locate and drill the holes on the older lathes to accept the extension.

I just reread your post above - are the new VS lathe extensions different than the old ones? Maybe the old ones aren't going to be made any longer and if you have an old lathe you'll be out of luck in trying to get an extension that bolts up. Just guessing here, but it could be the situation - in reality, I have no idea what I'm jabbering about but that has rarely stopped me before.

For those of you in the Seattle area you might want to check out the General Mini with bed extension at Sumner Woodworkers. $299

Brian

Many thanks for all your replys. I picked up a VS Jet mini from Woodcraft's Casselberry Fl store in Jan. as a present for my son. I tried it out and had so much fun, he never got it.

FYI, Floridians & maybe others: I tried to buy a Jet mini from the same store today. Could be I got a 'weekend clerk' , but their price was $199.99 plus $67.50 S&H: $267.49 in my door. I called the 'catalog store' $199.99 plus $11.99 S&H : $211.98 In stock both places, delivered in 3-4 days. I can't drive to Casselberry for $12, besides I'm not that loyal to a Fl franchise! Arch

Fortiter,

$67.50 for shipping and handling ? ? ? What were they going to do, drive it over to your house in a stretch limo?

Barry

Since when does Woodcraft add in a large S&H fee? New one to me-

-Dan V.

I bought the jet mini, non-VS model, for $199 at Rockler this past March. I have been wondering what it would take to upgrade it to variable speed. Any one know if Jet offers a retro kit or is it even possible to upgrade the 'older' model?

Thanks, Tom

My new Jet VS model has a DC motor and controller. The old model had an AC motor, so I assume an upgrade kit would be pretty extensive. My one concern, one I haven't tested so far, is whether a motor rated 162V DC, 3 amp, will have the guts of the 110V AC, 6.6 amp motor on the Delta Midi I've been borrowing for craft shows.

I'll let you know.

Ron Williams Minn-Dak Woodturners Moorhead, MN

You can put a router speed control unit on the AC (non variable speed) version, and it ends up being a much better tool because the DC moter is much weaker. The router speed control costs about $30 at Rockler. Works great for me.

Matt

You can put a router speed control unit on the AC (non variable speed) version, and it ends up being a much better tool because the DC moter is much weaker. The router speed control costs about $30 at Rockler. Works great for me.

Matt

Matt, I wouldn't advise you to do what you're doing. The non-VS Jet Mini has an induction motor which needs the full 120 volts all the time. By putting a router controller on it you're effectively creating a "brown-out" situation which will damage the motor and eventually cause it to burn out. Router motors are Universal motors which can be controlled by varying the voltage. Using a universal motor speed controller on an induction motor will spell death to your Non-VS Jet Mini induction motor in short order.

-Jim Gott- San Jose, CA