Jet 1440 Lathe

Save a while longer and get one from your first list.

Bill

The first three on your list are better lathes than the Jet. They have features and quality the Jet simply doesn't have. But to answer your question, I have the Jet 1442 and am pleased with its performance, especially in light of the price I paid for it: $767. I've had only minor problems so far. 1) I jammed the speed control early on, ultimately breaking the detent pin, and having to replace the speed control lever assembly. Cost: $19. 2) I've bogged the lathe down twice when I attempted to take a bit too much wood, but I suspect I'd have bogged one or more of the others above attempting the same ham-fisted maneuver. 3) The drive belt began to vibrate a bit after about 30 hours of use. I replaced it with a segmented belt, which works beautifully and doesn't vibrate.

I like the Jet and find it difficult to imagine a better lathe for a beginner at anywhere near its price point. It truly is a bargain in its class. And don't believe the weight stated in the literature. The whole unit weighs 350lbs. with the cast legs. I added a shelf between the legs and applied an additional 100lbs of sandbags, making the lathe very stable and vibration-free.

Max

I'm always a bit surprised when others recommend a lathe costing $600 to $1500 more when the Jet 1442 is such a great lathe for a beginner. More experienced turners don't care for the Reeve's speed control, but it does work well and with minimal hassles. And yes, the 1hp motor does seem strong enough for most turning tasks, provided one does not get too aggressive, as I've done a couple of times.

An older neighbor, whom we invited for dinner several weeks ago, surprised me, after seeing some of my bowls, by telling me that he used to do a lot of turning years back. I asked if he'd like to use my lathe, as he'd sold his about 15 years ago. He was ecstatic. He now turns about 4 hours a week on my lathe and is very complimentary toward it. His lathe was an old Delta Top Turn, whatever that was. He tends to be rather, um, straight forward and would be candid if he didn't like the Jet. No criticism so far; only smiles.

Max

I have owned a Jet 1442 for about a year and I am very satisfied. I also experienced a problem with the speed control handle sticking but it either passed or I learned where to put my tongue when changing speeds. With its heavy bed and the cast iron legs it provides plenty of mass. If you compare it with the bigger powrmatics, you will see a lot of similarity in legs, and other features. I bought it to supplement my wood shop and I am still learning to turn with it. The machine has enough power, low vibration/noise to be a good teacher.

Max just earned a boatload of brownie points. Really nice to let the neighbor use your lathe. Brought a smile to his face. As it is oft mentioned on this newsgroup - a grat bunch of guys (& gals)!

vibration/noise

I'm a novice turner, but have produced a few nice items on this lathe. I also had the opportunity to try my hand at turning a small bowl on a Powermatic 3520 at a recent demo at a local store. Frankly, aside from the convenience of the electronic variable speed control on the Powermatic, I don't believe I could tell much difference between turning a 5" bowl on my lathe vs. the Powermatic. For the money the Jet 1442 is difficult to equal.

Max