Jet 1642

For my money, Dan, I'd add $600 to the purchase price and get the Powermatic

3520. More hp, heavier, and a proven design.

Max

I bought one a couple of months ago, after a lot of research, and have been extremely satisfied. Thought long and hard about a Powermatic 3520, but ended up going with the Jet. The extra swing would be "nice", but not used often enough to justify the addional cost. Also. looking at the 2 side-by-side, it's pretty apparent that the 1642 is a downsized 3520. My previous lathe was a Jet 1236, and met all my expectations, so I had no qualms about another Jet.

While the advantages of the 3520 are pretty obvious (swing, weight, Powermatic brand), there are also a couple of possible shortcomings vs the Jet 1642. The Powermatic does not have a hollow tailstock. so it can't be used as easily with a long boring bit for lamps, etc. Also, indexing is accomplished with a reportedly cumbersome add-on. making some tasks more difficult. Neither of these is a major issue, but did factor into my decision.

Ron

Ron,

Just curious, but does your Jet have a banjo/toolrest holder with a shaft cut with a keyway. I saw they had this about 1-2 years ago and sent an email and asked Oneway about it because they have a US patent on their banjo that I believe would be infringed by the Jet. They said they were looking into legal action. The action was like the Oneway, which tightens the banjo down without bending the shaft down.

Derek

While the advantages of the 3520 are pretty obvious (swing, weight, Powermatic brand), there are also a couple of possible shortcomings vs the Jet 1642. The Powermatic does not have a hollow tailstock. so it can't be used as easily with a long boring bit for lamps, etc. Also, indexing is accomplished with a reportedly cumbersome add-on. making some tasks more difficult. Neither of these is a major issue, but did factor into my decision.

Ron

And since you brought up the subject -- have you looked at the Jet live tail center?

Bill

Derek Hartzell wrote:

No......

Bill

Derek Hartzell wrote:

Well, it will look familiar. You'll think you've seen it before.

Bill

Derek Hartzell wrote:

Derek,

Took a look at the banjo assembly, and I don't see any sort of key. The shaft which locks the banjo in place is round, with no key that I can see. Not sure if that's what you are asking, though, since I've not see the comparible assembly on a Oneway.

Ron

The one I saw was a round shaft with a keyway groove cut down the length of it - a keyed shaft.

Derek

Took a look at the banjo assembly, and I don't see any sort of key. The shaft which locks the banjo in place is round, with no key that I can see. Not sure if that's what you are asking, though, since I've not see the comparible assembly on a Oneway.

Ron

Thanks for the reply, Ron. I have a question regarding your 1642 - when it is plugged in, is there power to the unit at all times therefore showing a "0" on the RPM readout? I was wondering if having a switched outlet was necessary for the lathe.

In looking at the newest Powermatic catalog it looks like both of their lathes have a bore of 3/8" in the tailstock now. Maybe they didn't before, I don't know. None the less I'm not too sure that I would be able to get a Powermatic down the stairs and into my basement shop, so at least for now I am looking at the Jet 1642.

Thanks again for your input!

- Dan Klima

Thanks all for your input!

- Dan Klima

Been using the 1642 2 HP (220V) version for a year. It has performed well. I wish the control panel was moveable. It is heavy enough for large out of round blanks. The speed control is excellent.

I hope this helps.

Dan,

There is power to the unit at all times, as indicated by the "0" on the rpm indicator. I've gotten used to it, and don't see any reason to put in a switched outlet. I guess it wouldn't hurt if you were doing some rewiring, but with all of the constantly on electronics around my house- PC's, wireless modem, printers, etc., it hasn't occurred to me to do so.

As far as getting it down the stairs to your shop - shouldn't be a problem. When I picked my lathe up at woodcraft we broke down the pallet and removed the boxes containing the legs. The rail assembly, with headstock and tailstock stayed on the pallet, which 3 of us lifted into the bed of my pickup. the legs, in their separate boxes slid in next to the pallet. When I got home I unloaded the legs, took the headstock and tailstock off the ways, then unbolted it and moved it into my shop. My shop is right off the garage, so I didn't have to move anything very far, but I managed each of the pieces by myself. A helper would be great to move things downstairs. As far as assembly goes, I laid the main section upside down on some cardboard, attached the legs, then rolled it over before putting the headstock and tailstock back in place. Managed to do that by myself also, but again, a helper would be great!

Hope this info is of some use, and yell if there's anything else I can tell you.

Ron

Yes, thanks! I'm not going to be able to go the 2hp route, but outside of a little less power it sounds like I should be a happy camper with the 1642.

- Dan Klima

Thanks, Ron. Since I am currently running my entire shop off of (groan loudly now) two outlets that are on the other side of my basement (hence some very long and large extension cords), I am expecting to rewire the (OK, wire not rewire) the basement in the very near future. So having a switched outlet wouldn't be all that big of a deal for me to add. Hadn't really thought about it in relation to all of my other technological gadgetry so good point!

Having the lathe break down into bite size pieces is actually a selling point for me. My son can help me get things down the stairs into the basement shop, but the headstock seems to be on the heavy side. Maybe it's not as bad as it looks.

Have you had any problems with the lathe? Just wondering about quality, design flaws, and things that make you go "hmmmm".

Thanks for your words of wisdom!

- Dan Klima

Hi Dan,

No problems whatsoever with the lathe. I've turned quite a few pieces on it, including some fairly large ones, and been very satisfied. Before purchase I did consider the 2 HP version (I'm fortunate enough to have multiple 220V circuits in my shop). After talking to a friend who has had the 1 1/2 hp version for some time now, I decided to go with it to save some $. Haven't been at all disappointed.

As far as moving the headstock assembly goes, I was able to move it by myself, with moderate effort. I'm 60 years old, weigh in at about 185 lbs, and while I work out regularly, I'm far from a body building poster child, so I would imagine you and your son should be able to handle it ok. You might want to consider a hand truck or something similar to manage the stairs, but mainly because of the awkward shape, rather than the weight.

Good luck with your purchase, and happy turning!

Ron

Dan, I recently purchased a Jet 1642 and have been more than happy with it. I added a balast box filled with 300lbs of sand for more stability. You will find plans w/ pics on

for it. Dominic Greco is the author. I bought my 1642 at a wood show and payed $1650.00 plus tax. Amazon has them for under $1800.00 last time I looked. Happy Turns, Steve

Dan, I recently purchased a Jet 1642 and have been more than happy with it. I added a balast box filled with 300lbs of sand for more stability. You will find plans w/ pics on

for it. Dominic Greco is the author. I bought my 1642 at a wood show and payed $1650.00 plus tax. Amazon has them for under $1800.00 last time I looked. Happy Turns, Steve

Hi Steve! Thanks for your input! A little background here. I recently started working for a Jet dealer (I am a displaced network administrator from a local university). I had been eyeing the 1642 for quite some time. My opportunity arose when we needed to upgrade all of the computers and network wiring. I performed all of the upgrade operations and we settled on the 1642 as payment. I have been asking everyone and anyone about the lathe and so far I have not found any negative statements. I even tracked down our Jet rep and customer service reps and not a single peep of problems. The $1650 is about the same price we are selling the lathe for which is quite a steal right now, so you got a great deal on it.

Another question for you, Steve, as well as for anyone else that is lurking this thread. Ever hooked up a vacuume chuck arrangement on this lathe? I was wondering if there would be any problems or considerations that I should . . . uh . . . consider. I am really looking forward to working with this lathe. It is to arrive in about a week and it's getting harder to wait!

Thanks again!

- Dan Klima

Dan,

I have been looking at a vacuum adapter for my 1642. So far, the best option looks to be the one offered by Craft Supplies

't got a vacuum pump yet, so I haven't done all the detail work toinsure it will fit, but the only question would be the length of thethreaded rod, which could porbaly be easily replaced with something from ahardware store, if needed. Ron