Is there a cure for 2 inch itus?

The cure is only temporary, with the affliction only going into remission. Of course with the newer, bigger lathe comes the need for some newer, bigger tools. Then, more bigger pieces of wood, the bigger shop, truck, chainsaw............. robo hippy

yes, there IS a cure...

the bad news is that like most addictions, the cure is death...

Given a choice, I'll stick to the addiction and avoid the cure as long as I can...

After considering your personal addiction, it is tempered with rationalization, which is a good thing.. you not only have swing size envy, but more control of the speed that the addiction's effects... IMHO, you're in good shape and closer to "normal" than I ever want to be.. *g*

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Hi L, There is no cure, but the disease can be self limited if you live long enough. Then sloops are exchanged for canoes and 20-34 lathes for 9-18s and good cooking beats kissing, ...but is the cure worse than the disease? :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

There *is* a cure (disclaimer: I DO *NOT* RECOMMEND IT)

I read (somewhere (I think in "The Lathe Book" by Conover)) about having riser blocks inserted between the headstock/tailstock and the base of the lathe. And, because the motor is mounted to the head, you would not need the purchase of a new belt. You *would* need to extend the bolts for the headstock and the tailstock (JWL1442-128A and JWL1442-128). Or, if you were ambitious, you could look into the 1642 tailstock (JWL1642-222) and see if it would fit the 1442 bed. Then, you could move some parts from one tailstock to the other.

I suspect that if you were to find some sheet stock (steel perhaps), cut it to fit and drill it, you could (probably) increase the swing on your lathe.

Or (recommended method), if you had the cash, you could buy the 1642EVS from woodcraft for ($1599) during October 2005.

But, if it were me (and it is not of course), I would try to spend a couple of bucks to make the riser first just for the challenge of it. But I dont recommend it so dont come after me if you get hurt.

Rob

I have seen lathes blocked up with hard maple, which seemed to work fine for years. If you don't feel like cutting and drilling steel, hardwood should be an easier way to go.

At a guess, the hard part is the tool rest holder, which would need the cam clamp mechanism extended. Fortunately, that also is the easiest and cheapest to replace with a bigger one.

Owen Davies, wondering how much swing could be added to my Jet Mini

You guys are talking about ways of feeding the addiction. One of the defining characteristics of an addiction is that it can never be satisfied--you need larger and doses just to hold your own. That's the way it is. Live with it. Or give up woodturning cold turkey. Would you rather do that? I THOUGHT NOT.

Caught me off guard with that one. I laughed so hard I almost spewed my coffee. I guess it wouldn't have been so damn funny if I hadn't at least thought about it.

Robert

Legal departments trump design and engineering groups, but if swing can be safely increased by raising blocks why wasn't it incorporated in the off the shelf lathe in the first place?

I've seen some commercial gap filling blocks, but I'm not sure if raising blocks have ever been on the market. Maybe for some older heavy spindle machines.

The limits suggested in manuals seem low, but how do you figure safe swing limits for modern sliding or rotating headstocks and out-boards that haven't a slow ramp up or low minumum speed? Maybe it's the floor or your hospital insurance. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Well Arch you'r right about the boat thing and good food vs kissing. I have releived myself of a nice Ohio River houseboat (0.75 MPG) for a plain jane pontoon. I've used just 45 gallons fuel so far this summer. Maybe I should use the fuel saving to justify a new lathe!

I feel your pain! I've wished for another two (2") inches since I was a teenager.

Barry

I had a Delta 14x40 that I put on riser blocks to raise to 22". I had to make a new bolt-down banjo. The tailstock worked fine with riser block. The bottom speed was too fast for safe turning of bowls over 13". I have since built a new headstock with a variable speed treadmill motor and jackshaft that gives me 3 speed ranges. I built a cam-locking toolrest that is MUCH much more convenient than using a wrench. I am still using the cast-iron Delta bed.

Derek