Lathe Purchase

I've been considering purchasing either the Jet 1014VS mini lathe ($329.99 shipped through Amazon)

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or Harbor Freight's 12" x 33 3/8" lathe ($341.98 shipped)
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I'd be able to work on slightly larger projects with the HF lathe though as a complete newbie to woodturning (not woodworking) I'm not sure if the extra capacity is needed and can appreciate the fact that the Jet's mini lathe is a well made machine and am not so sure about the HF's quality. (If you own the 34706 and like it or don't let me know!) This maybe a "no brainer" for some but I sure could use a little help deciding. Jeff

Reply to
P.I._Maine
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Reply to
P.I._Maine

Reply to
Ralph E Lindberg

P.I. I own neither lathe but I would question turning a bowl larger than 12" on a lthe that turns 600 rpm at its slowest speed with a frame that looks pretty light from the Harbor Freight picture. Too many of today's lathes have a pivoting headstock for sales purposes but have neither the beef not the slow speed to turn a large piece of out of balance wood. Just something to think about. (I have turned an 18" bowl on my light Record bowl lathe with a slow speed of 575 rpm but it is bolted to the floor and the procedure was a bit of an adrenalin boost. :-) )

Reply to
Darrell Feltmate

Hi Ralph, Thanks for letting me know about the sale price, unfortunately the closest store to me would be in New York which is about 600 miles away from northern Maine. I sure have appreciated Amazon's free shipping for anything over $25 policy. It's been a big help in buying tools in the past. Jeff

Reply to
P.I._Maine

Good point Darrell and an eye opener, I'm hoping someone with first hand experience can sway my decision that maybe the HF lathe is indeed a good lathe and beefy enough to handle larger stuff than what the Jet lathe would. I wouldn't want to get the Jet mini and feel like I need to buy a larger one down the road. Thanks for your input, Jeff

Reply to
P.I._Maine

suggestion

the jet mini is a good learning lathe if you don't already own a lathe and your just starting. You might spend 2 to 3 times the cost of the jet on chisels, chucks, grinder, chainsaw (to collect your own wood), and stuff for sanding and finishing your turnings. the HF lathe is probably OK for learning. I started out with a really poor Grizzley lathe (I had been looking at the Jet but my wife got me the Grizzley).

Many people do quite well on the jet mini but then step up to something larger. Most keep their minis. They are in demand and could easily be sold but don't. Those that get something like the HF or gizzley don't keep them. I sold mine for $60 (1/3rd of its original cost). A used Jet mini does not loose much of it's value.

Then after you get hooked save up you m> Good point Darrell and an eye opener, I'm hoping someone with first hand

Reply to
william kossack

Hi P.I.,

As stated already the Jet is a nice small lathe. The Harbor Freight is a nice big lathe. A buddy of mine has the H.F. lathe and does great work on it. He does all spindle work. He does not turn bowls. I have used his on occasion and it would do very well for bowls as well. Heavy cast iron bed is very nice a lot of heft to it. Not a bad option for you. I wouldn't do a great deal of very large bowls on it with the high speed. And nothing out board if it's not balanced. But a nice over all lathe. Good luck with your decision making. I hope this helps.

Reply to
dan cordes

Most people that own a little Jet seem to be pleased with it, owners off the harbor freight lathe on the other hand seem to have all kinds of problems with it, having the lathe shaft 1 inch higher does not make it a better lathe I'm afraid, I would not recommend the harbor freight lathe with the reeves drive MO I own also a small lathe, almost carbon copy of a Jet mini, the Delta midi, and I would NOT trade that for the Harbor freight lathe.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

P.I._Ma> I've been considering purchasing either the Jet 1014VS mini lathe

Reply to
l.vanderloo

Another alternative to the Jet would be the Rikon mini-lathe. It has a 12" swing where the Jet has 10", and the bed is a few inches longer IIRC.

But you can get a Jet with electronic variable speed control where the Rikon, and the cheaper Jet, are belt changers.

IOW, what's worth more to you - a speed dial or 2" extra swing?

I'd be cautious about the HF lathe. Occasionally they make a good prod uct, or at least one with some good ones mixed in with the bad, but I'd be afra id of getting one of the bad ones. Quality control seems to be a rather low priority.

Reply to
Larry Blanchard

Hi William, thanks for your suggestion. Resale value is a good point on buying the mini, I'll chalk another one up toward the purchase of the Jet mini. I've made it a point to buy quality tools in the past and may let the Jet name brand make the decision for me, although I've been seeing some pretty good reviews on this particular HF lathe... :) Decisions, decisions... Jeff

Reply to
P.I._Maine

Dan, Thanks for replying, it's good to know you've got some first hand knowledge about this lathe. If the HF lathe is decent meaning there aren't any major quality control issues with it then it seems like this lathe would be the wiser choice of the two because it has the larger capacity meaning I probably won't outgrow it anytime soon. I don't see myself turning extra large blanks in the future and think this might be the lathe to get (unless someone else chimes in and tells me the HF is junk and the Jet is on sale for less than $329.99 including shipping ;') Jeff

Reply to
P.I._Maine

an idea might be to find someone that has the HF and give it a test drive otherwise be prepared to return it.

If nothing else you should connect with some turners near you to learn from.

also check for yahoo groups and msn groups for wood turn> Hi William, thanks for your suggestion. Resale value is a good point on

Reply to
william kossack

"P.I._Maine" wrote in news:yjOXg.8216$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.nyroc.rr.com:

Jeff, Where are you in Northern Maine. I get up there a bit around the the Sunday River/Sugarloaf areas. Hank

Reply to
Henry St.Pierre

The Jet is a great little lathe, when you later decide you need a larger lathe you will likely want to keep the Jet. Few would want to keep the HF tool.

You could pick it up at Rocklers Portland store 279.00

Reply to
Walt & Jenne Ahlgrim

Larry Blanchard wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com:

Mr. B, The electronic variable speed control on the Jet mini is dependant on belt range changes. There are three pully diameters. Within each diameter the speeds can be controlled. I have a Jet mini VS and love it. There is no doubt in my mind that the Rikon mini wouldn't be a great lathe. Turning green 5-7 inch stock near ten inch diameter, puts the jet near/at its limits. I don't know if the Rikon mini could handle the same any better. In any case, either would be a good choice. Regards, Hank

Reply to
Henry St.Pierre

On Fri, 13 Oct 2006 13:48:00 GMT, "P.I._Maine" wrote:

FWIW, you can get the Jet Mini (or Delta Midi) to start out with, and then get a bed extension later that will turn it into a machine that is almost as large as the HF. Extensions run about $70 each.

All things considered, I'd go with the Jet.

Reply to
Prometheus

Hi Hank, driving north from that region we're probably another 225 miles north.

Reply to
P.I._Maine

I actually gave them a call to find out what their variable speed mini would cost he gave me a price of $379.99. Apparently it was on sale with a midi chuck included for $299.99 but when I called a day after receiving their flyer through email they were "sold out". I'll be down there for the WoodWorks woodworking show in Portland toward the end of the month. I'll stop and check them out to see what they have going for sales then. Thanks

Reply to
P.I._Maine

Another thing - how do you plan on getting support if something fails. I think the standard Jet warranty is one year.

You can buy a 3-year warranty at Harbor Freight. However, if a part breaks, you just call up Jet, and they mail you the part. For HF, you have to bring the tool to the store (so the store owner told me). In your case this would be a b*tch.

I'm not sure if HF will let you call up and ask for a broken part.

Reply to
Bruce Barnett

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