Opinions about a JET JWL-1236 Wood Lathe?

I have the Jet 1442 and haven't found much it will not do or that I would want it to do. I would expect the 1236 would be much the same.

As for the price, three or four years ago I bought mine for $736 and now goes for almost twice that. $800 is a bit steep, depending on how old it is and how much it has been used, I would like to see you get it for around $400 - 500. But then I am married to a "Downeaster Scot" also :-)

Deb

I have one. The main problem is large bowls. I wish the minimum speed was slower. You may have to add bracing and extra weight to keep it from vibrating when you turn 10 inch bowl blanks.

The banjo is fine, but some times I wish the banjo shaft was a little longer.

As for the rotating head, you can handle a 10-12" faceplate/bowl without it, and dealing with larger objects is a problem because the speed can't be slower than 600rpm. So I never use this feature.

Flash... I've had my Jet 1236 for about 8 years. It has done what I've needed it to do, although I don't push the limits of it's capacity. It has a Reeve's drive... i.e. 2 pulleys that change the effective diameter... to change speeds. Some people don't like that but I've always found it has good response and little slipping. It limits the slowest speed to

500 though. Wish it went slower sometimes. I added angle brackets below the shelf along with a couple of boards which allow me to slide in a tube of sand for added stability and I also built an upper shelf for tools. I paid about $550 for mine years ago, so depending on the age of this one... you probably shouldn't pay more than that.

June

In message , Flash Gordon writes

I have a variant of this and it worked well till I upgraded to variable speed But, and there is always a BUT. Depending on which banjo/rest you are supplied with, the lathe may be of no use for bowl turning. On the variant I have when the tool rest is set to minimum height, it comes in at 1/5in (5mm) under centre line, a basic scraper is 1/4in (7mm) putting you above centreline when level. Use a bowl gouge, at an angle and you can be 1/2in or more depending how close your tool rest. I think you will see my point. I kept blaming myself for having issues turning bowls, until I got my later lathe which had a far greater offset.. I did what I thought and finally got what I expected Another issue is minimum speed of 550, on mine it was 400 and for me roughing a bowl as a beginner it was way too fast, and can be off-putting if not frightening

I would say the price is way too high. Check out Amazon the machine can be bout for $849.99 including free delivery

In message , Maxwell Lol writes

There seems to be 2 variants on the banjo fitted. It relates to the washer that goes between nut and bed to provide grip,. In one case it is round, and one which is rectangular. The round one provides far less grip than the rectangular version

This also applies to the tail stock assembly.

I also have a 1236 and it has been good to me. I am more of a hobbyist an I am not on it all the time. I also have wished for slower speed and larger swing. Mine is on the original stand so I built boxes for the feet to raise it off the ground. I have made a shelf and have put sand bags and weight lifting plates on it. I have wished for a hand wheel for the headstock, but have not called to see if one was made for it. I have just one caution. It comes with a swivel head and was advertised it could be turned 90 degrees for outboard turning. It also came with and extension for the tool rest. The problem is it is made of cast iron. I tried the outboard turning with the extension till I got a catch and the extension broke and it and the tool rest bounced off my foot. Luck nothing was broken, on my foot I mean . Now I use the swivel to get a better angel when I am working over the bed. Other than that I have enjoyed it. This may be minor but it runs on a 110 Vac which I have in the garage. I lust after the bigger, better more power type lathes, but that means some how getting 220Vac to the garage when the breaker/meter panel is on the other side of the house. I think you would enjoy this more than the little mini-lathes. Good luck with what ever you choose.

Bruce

John wrote: