Jet vs Delta?

Having been faced with this same quandary about a year ago, I settled on the Jet 1446, with Reeves drive from Southern Tool. It was $765.69 and free shipping.

Just my opinion, but I think you'd be far happier to hang onto your Delta Midi and just do "smaller" bowls and hollow turnings (all the while saving your money for a really good lathe). A new lathe for what you describe is going to be in the $1800 to $6000 range, unless you can pick up a good pre-owned one.

The two lathes you mention are larger in capacity, but lack the mass and rigidity to be very good for work like larger hollow vessels and bowls. Lighter lathes tend to "walk" around the shop when an out of balance blank is mounted. The low speed is not usually all that low (around 500 RPM). For larger bowl and hollow vessels, a low speed of 200 RPM or less can be really useful. If your budget is limited (aren't they all?), you might consider shopping around for an older, used commercial-duty lathe. School shops sometimes sell off old equipment at bargain prices.

Barry

I did the same. At this stage of my turning career (novice on the steep slope of the learning curve) the Jet has been adequate, and quite capable for bowls and platters of modest size. As you've stated you wish to primarily turn bowls and hollow forms, the 1446 would be a respectable choice thanks to the rotating headstock. It's also a decent between-centers lathe as well, provided you take the moment or two necessary to insure alignment between the moveable headstock and the tailstock. It takes about

Jeff

The Jet 1236 also has rotating headstock. My biggest issue is the slowest speed. I wish the 1236 went slower.

Amazon.com has the Jet 1236 for $489 including free shipping (no tax).

My first lathe was a Delta 14 40. It had a lot of noise and vibration, could never get the centers to line up. Kept it about a year and sold it for half what I had paid.

Then I bought a Jet 14 42 and have never been sorry. Very quite and stable. I also have a Jet Mini which I am well pleased with and I would assume that the 12 36 would be of the same quality as the other Jet products.

I realize that money does not grow on trees but...any Jet product should last you for many years and the Jet 14 42 is a afully nice lathe and a few years down the road you would will be glad you spent the extra money. Just a thought...

LB

I also have the 1236 and have found it quite adequate for my current needs. It is my first lathe and the only wood lathe I have ever turned on. You will need to add some weight to give it a bit more mass if you plan on turning bowls and such. As Bruce mentions, a slower speed would be nice. One rather odd design is the motor is rather close to the head. It has yet to get in my way but dust does tend to get piled up on the motor so keep it cleaned off.

This article may be helpful

Get the most horsepower and cast iron for whatever money you are able to spend. Build a HEAVY stand and fill it full of sandbags. In your price range, assume you will be frustrated and will need to upgrade unless you are happy sticking to small bowls and small hollow forms. That's not a bad thing when you are learning. You can get a lot of valuable practice doing a lot of small pieces instead of a few big ones. Does either of those lathes have a sliding headstock? Unless you are using a Jamieson or similar captive bar, working off the end of the lathe is worth a lot for bowls and hollow forms, especially hollow forms.

-mike paulson, fort collins, co