Thank you for your input on my lathe selection

I stopped at Woodcrsaft yesterday on the way home from work to get the Rinkon. Out of stock as usual, I have yet to buy a stationary tool from woodcraft as they have never had one in, but I keep on trying.

So, I decided to order one and started looking for accessories. First find was while looking for the Nova mini, foun the Super Nove was on sale for $159. The 1 X 8 TPI adapter was another $25. Grabbed that one, found a decent set of started gouges and chisels from Pinnacle for $40. Couldn't find a decent bowl gouge for a decent price so I'll mail order one. While I was still pondering the Rinkon, the sales guy asked about the Jet, I told him I wqas buying the Rinkon mainlky for the little bit of extra room and the price was comparable. He came back with this offer:

Classroom used Jet Mini with all accessories and manuals and the full factory warranty for $160. Looked new, he said they had only been in the classroom for 3 months and one weekend of classes. They were going to upgrade to the new VS and Indexing Jet Mini.

With what I saved, I bought a bunch of pen stock and sets, a pend drill press vice and some basic safety and finishing stuff. Still walked out $650 poorer, but WTH, we all do it.

Thanks again for all your help.

On May 8, 7:48 am, Neillarson wrote:>

factory warranty for $160. Looked new, he >said they had only been in the classroom for 3 months and >one weekend of classes. They were going

press vice and some basic safety and >finishing stuff. Still walked out $650 poorer, but WTH, we >all do it.

What was that sound? Was that the crack of the bat? Was that Neil's home run going over the fence? Good job! A homerun there, Neil.

I wouldn't mind having a variable speed on my Jet mini, but I have never thought about upgrading. I have talked to a couple of different guys that have the Jet mini variable and they like it, but they feel like they don't get the low end torque they did with the ealier model. As for me, I don't use the indexing feature as I just haven't turned anything in the last 10 years that required it.

And while I like variable speed control (I have the Carba Tec mini, and a Nova 3000) I don't miss it on the Jet. I rough/hollow on low/ medium, then finish on high. I move the belt once. On small pieces, I leave the lathe on high from the last piece I finished and go from start to finish on one speed.

It was apparent that Jet only made the new minis to respond to the Rikons, and that is why they have the Rikon features. They sat on the original lathe design for about 8-9 years with NO changes to it.

Like you, I would much rather have the difference in money to get more "stuff". The longer you turn, the more you will realize (as have we all!) that the lathe is only the tip of the iceberg as far as spending goes for this area of woodwork.

Robert