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Mini Lathe

I am going to be in the market for a mini lathe to go along with my 48"
and pen lathe. I currently have a bad taste for JET and don't know if
it will go away. My JET pen lathe's tool rest broke and have been
waiting for over three weeks for it and still nothing. Called them and
they said they will ship it out with a rush....(I'll believe it when I
get it). They also complained that "Everybody wants everything now with
Christmas comming up" My comment is "Especially when you sit on orders
for 3 weeks."
My question is what other good mini lathes are there other than JET?
Thanks,
Rick
Reply to
Rick
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i like my fisch turning center. seems to be holding up well and all the attachments that fit the others will fit the fisch.
skeez
Reply to
skeezics
Rick,
The Vicmarc mini is the best quality. It is also the most expensive by far.
AZCRAIG
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Reply to
cm
I have had really good luck with my Nova Comet (it's not in production any more, so if you find one, it should be inexpensive) - about the same size as the jet, but hugely better quality.
Reply to
william_b_noble
I'll answer your question, then add some comments you didn't ask for. Oneway 1014 and 1224. General, Vicmarc, Fisch and Delta.
I don't care much for Jet's pen lathe. It's not a fair test of the brand. Trying to get a tool rest replaced immediately the week before Christmas is not a fair test of the company's customer service either.
I have a Jet mini which I have had for 3 years. I have used it rather hard and have had virtually no problems. A setscrew on the tailstock handwheel came loose a couple of times, but was fixed with a drop of Loctite. You cannot beat a Jet Mini for value or performance. You can get a Jet Mini for approximately $200. A Oneway 1224 is probably a better lathe, but it's gonna cost you ($1850).
Barry
Reply to
Barry N. Turner
They have had the order and sat on it for over 3 weeks. It's not like I just ordered it today. I have orders for pens that are x-mas presents and I need to get them done. Unfortunately, now that Jet has sat on my order, I have to tear down the project on my big lathe and get it set up so I can complete the orders.
Reply to
Rick
Hi Rick
Rick I have said this before and will repeat again, you only hear the ones that try to get away with the cheapest complain WHAAAA WHAAAAA WHEAA. You don't hear the ones that buy the best.
To want Oneway quality and pay China prices just don't work.
Don't expect $2000.- value for $200.-
You want a good mini Buy the Oneway Mini, and down from there.
Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Reply to
Leo Van Der Loo
I just got a Delta Midi, and it's great. I've also had excellent luck dealing with Delta's customer service. I snapped off my tool rest because I didn't have it properly tightened down and it slid under a blank. I actually told Delta that it was my fault for being an idiot, and asked where I could buy a new one quickly- but they sent me a new one for free without batting an eye. Got here yesterday, four days after I contacted them. No complaints about Christmas rushes, either.
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam
Reply to
Prometheus
I'm real happy with my Nova Mercury. It's smooth and very quiet. The electronic speed control is VERY convenient. I wish the bed was two inches longer, tho'.
Reply to
PineyWoods
Regarding the Mercury - I ended up getting the bed extension which made a world of difference in usability. Regarding the Jet - I would have suggested a follow up phone call with a different support person. Sounds like you had gotten a "bad seed" with the first support call. I doubt that person will last very long if they continue to respond as you had experienced. My experience has been very positive with respect to their response and quality of product. Most of my equipment in my shop is Jet. And what isn't Jet, I wish it was. If you have any other problems with product defects down the road Jet will still take care of you. I don't know of anyone else that has a lifetime warranty on their equipment in a non-commercial environment.
Reply to
Dan Klima
Thanks for all yor advise. It seems that I did have a bad seed for a service rep. I went out last night and looked at some mini lathes and actually bought the Jet. It seems to work just fine. When my replacement tool rest finally shows up, I will let the son take over the pen lathe. He likes turning pens and think it will be a great thing for him to have the use of.
Reply to
Rick
I have had a Jet mini for two years and recently bought the bed extension. It fits great and is as true as ever. Great little lathe for the money. No problems or complaints with this tool. Highly recommend it. I would like to be able to convert it to the electronic /s but cannot. I live in Canada and the V/S model is not available. If you have a choice get the V/S. It is worth the added expense.
Reply to
Bob Beckwith
The Jet 1014 EVS is listed on Jacques Coulomb's website for $495 can. E-mail to Jacques, however, does not produce any answer. Where did you buy your Jet mini and/or the bed extension, Bob? No one here in Manitoba seems to sell Jet. That's why I was trying to get some info from Jacques in Montreal.
$495 can seems to be kind of expensive when compared to US prices of $???. doesn't it? Edward
Reply to
Jo-Anne & Edward Tabachek
Jet VS mini lathes at Craft Supplies are $299.95 US. At an exchange rate of aprox. 0.82 to 1.00 that would be about $377 to $380 can. I wonder why there are not more Jet dealers in Canada? There were at one time, 5 or 10 years ago, I think. Edward
Reply to
Jo-Anne & Edward Tabachek
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Sure looks close. I would suppose there's a bit of a home field advantage, even for imported and domestically name-plated. VS must have something to recommend it, but mine hasn't been off 500 for months.
Reply to
George
I purchased my Jet Mini from these folks and was very happy with the lathe and the service. You have to order on there 800 line.Check them out. I have no affiliation with these people I am just a happy customer. dave
Reply to
Dave

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