Regards to the Group, I am new to this group, but have been turning ~3 years with a Jet 1236. Mostly bowls, some hollow vessels and recently segmented. I want to upgrade to a better lathe with a max budget of $2000. I am considering a Delta
1642, a Nova 3000 DVR or a Jet 1642. All 1.5 HP due to power restraints. I know brand choice of lathe is one of the questions of the ages, but I'm looking for honest feedback.
PS. I am leaning towards the Jet 1642 based on advise from a friend, who says good torque at very low RPM (
"JonFH" wrote in news:lQb0b.172612$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.austin.rr.com:
Jon:
If you do go the Jet 1642 route, do yourself a favor and go for the 2HP, 220V version - I just got one and I LOVE this machine!! Of course it needs a 220 V source, but at a great price of $ 1,839.42 delivered to your door from Southern Tool (drop-shipped directly from Jet/Powermatic), it is well within your $2K budget. If ytou can manage to get 220V wired, it is worth it! I was turning at 170 rpm the other day, and the speed control is great. I still turn the speed up and down by eye and ear as I work, but it's pretty neat to glance over and see how consisten you are when selecting speed for each operation. I, too, had a
1236 or 5 years and got to learn a lot of techniques with this lathe - I am really looking forward to learning even more with the 1642-2 and the greater versatility it provides - I'm now looking at adding a vacuum chuck system.....it never stops.... thankfully!
I assume you've read Dominic Greco's review of the 1.5 HP Jet 1642 on
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if not go to the articles and reviews page and find the Jet 1642 article - or do a Google search for "Jet 1642 lathe Dominic Greco" and you'll get a link to the article. It's an excellent review.
Good luck with your lathe upgrade,
Rob Wallace in Iowa Rob Wallace Woodworking snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com
I have a Delta 1642 with a 2HP motor. It has a three step pulley giving the VFD three ranges of operation. Being able to move the headstock anywhere on the bed is one of the greatest features of this lathe. It does require
220V but so does my cabinet saw. I just plug in whatever I am using at the time. The VFD is absolutely awesome and having a reverse is also very nice! I have had the lathe since December 2002 and have made lots of shavings with it. I would buy the very same lathe again even if I had a $6000 budget and a four car garage - er shop!
Happy turning with whatever you decide to purchase!
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