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View Full Version : Lathe decisions - HELP



Robert Cox
12-04-2004, 8:40 PM
Jet Mini - 1/2 HP - 500-3900 RPM with belt/pulley swaps- 10"x 14" cap.

Delta Midi - 1/2 HP? - 500-3700 RPM with belt/pulley swaps 10 x 14 Cap.

Harbor Freight - 3/4 HP - 600-2400 RPM 12" x 33-3/8" Cap - With light stand and pivoting head.

I can get them all semi-locally.

Jet $250

Delta $288

HF $280

I've never turned a thing so I know NOTHING. My gut says go Jet but the HF looks like a lot for the money.

Help me....

Gary Max
12-04-2004, 9:38 PM
I would go with the Jet or Delta-----real good service on both of them.

Dick Parr
12-04-2004, 9:42 PM
Robert I love my Jet mini. Take a look around because I think you can beat that price. Got mine in March and only paid $199 for it. There is a lot of lathe for the money.

But like the rest of us have found out, you might as well go straight to a 14"-16" lathe and save the little step and a few hundred dollars. You will more then likley end up with one anyways. :D :D :p

Anthony Yakonick
12-04-2004, 10:04 PM
Jet, hands down!

Jim Becker
12-04-2004, 10:29 PM
Jet mini. You can add the bed extension when you are ready and will still have nearly the same realistic capacities of the HFT. And...when you upgrade (not "if"... :D) in the future, you'll have the option of keeping the smaller lathe for detail work, travel or teaching opportunities or selling it for good value.

Robert Cox
12-04-2004, 11:11 PM
Jet it is then.

I came "this close" to getting the HF one today. But it had enough rough edges to make me wait.

I will get their $39 set of 8 turning tools to start with. No great loss if I screw them up.

Bruce Shiverdecker
12-05-2004, 1:11 AM
Check the HF tools - Are they HSS? If not ask them to order in the 29.00 HSS set. Their tools that are HSS are bery good. The non-HSS are junk! Of course this is MHO, But I bought the HSS ones and am very happy with them.

Bruce

Robert Cox
12-05-2004, 7:59 AM
I believe the HF tools are HSS.

The eventual desire for a larger lathe is the only thing that gives me pause.

One day, I KNOW I wil want to do something larger.

Heck, maybe I'll get my machinist buddy to help me build one when the time comes....

I think I'll stick with the Jet.

Now, where did I put that credit card....

John Shuk
12-05-2004, 10:10 AM
I have those HF HSS tools as well. I couldn't be more happy with them.

Michael Cody
12-05-2004, 10:59 AM
What is the part number on the HF Lathe... if it's 34706 and it's a 12x36 lathe, it's a direct knock off of the Jet 12x36 (which is not the mini you are looking at) ... it's a good lathe and if you've got a HF store nearby, what the sales, it will probably go on sale for 169$ or so in the very near future (probably before xmas). It's got a good reputation and I had one for 2 years, turned everything I wanted to turn. It's a touch down on power but I sold it to a high school kid who's still turning on it. I sold it to buy a bigger lathe, which I eventually sold and now use a JET VS mini because I turn almost all small stuff like pens, stoppers, small bowls & hollows. HF stuff is sometimes good, sometimes junk, you got to watch it.. but the 34706 HF Lathe is a winner at the price point.

If you want the bigger lathe, consider the HF lathe, but if you really just want a Mini lathe -- buy the JET as it's the class of the type.

Randy Meijer
12-05-2004, 11:24 AM
CSU has the JET mini on sale for $199+$35 shipping!!! I just ordered one.....they said it will be here in about 3 days. Apparently JET is raising prices shortly and CSU is selling off their current stock.....they told me this price will last until all of the old ones are gone and didn't know how long that would be.....but I got mine!!!!:p

If anyone is thinking about a Christmas present, now would be the time!!:D

Mike Mortenson
12-05-2004, 2:16 PM
I think you can get the Jet on Amazon.com for $249.00 then they have 25.00 off and free shipping its the best deal I have found. And yes I hear all tools companys are raising prices at the end of the year.

Robert Cox
12-05-2004, 9:47 PM
Michael, the HF is ITEM 34706-5VGA @ 279.99

Randy, who is CSU?

Randy Meijer
12-05-2004, 9:56 PM
Craft Supplies USA @ www.woodturnerscatalog.com (http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/)

Robert Cox
12-05-2004, 9:57 PM
Thanks for the help.

Robert Cox
12-05-2004, 10:02 PM
They do look a lot alike. The Jet is 40 pounds heavier.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/34700-34799/34706.gif

Pivoting headstock for extra-large bowl turning capacity. Headstock rotates and locks in position at 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180°. Includes stand, tool rest, drive center, 6'' disc, and Allen wrenches.
Swing over bed: 12''
Motor: 3/4 HP, 120V, 60 Hz
Speeds: 600, 750, 910, 1080, 1260, 1460, 1680, 1910, 2150, and 2400 RPM
Turning distance between centers: 33-3/8"
Shipping weight: 184 lbs.

JET 12" Variable Speed Wood Lathe
Model JWL-1236. Heavy-duty cast iron bed, headstock and tailstock provide rigidity, strength and minimal operating vibration. Pivoting headstock quickly turns 90° to facilitate outboard turning. Variable speed spindle has six pre-positioned selections from 550 to 3,000 rpm, with positive detents. Powered by a heavy duty 3/4 HP motor. Complete with 12" tool rest, 6" face plate, spur center, and live center. Capacities: 12" swing over bed; 34-1/2" between centers; up to 16-1/2" outboard turning. 1" x 8 tpi spindle is thru bored 3/8". Spindle and tailstock are #2 Morse Taper.

Shipping weight 225 lb.; shipped by common carrier at our regular shipping & handling rate plus $20 for excess weight. Freight items will be brought to the back of the delivery truck and it is your responsibility to unload. The driver will not help you. If you want delivery with a liftgate truck or wish to pick up the item yourself at the terminal, contact our Customer Service Dept. and they will work out the details and contact you with options

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/assets/product_images/web2046.jpg

Name: JET 12" Variable Speed Wood Lathe Model JWL-1236
Price:$549.99


Model JWL-1236. Heavy-duty cast iron bed, headstock and tailstock provide rigidity, strength and minimal operating vibration. Pivoting headstock quickly turns 90° to facilitate outboard turning. Variable speed spindle has six pre-positioned selections from 550 to 3,000 rpm, with positive detents. Powered by a heavy duty 3/4 HP motor. Complete with 12" tool rest, 6" face plate, spur center, and live center. Capacities: 12" swing over bed; 34-1/2" between centers; up to 16-1/2" outboard turning. 1" x 8 tpi spindle is thru bored 3/8". Spindle and tailstock are #2 Morse Taper.

Shipping weight 225 lb

Robert Cox
12-06-2004, 7:17 PM
I don't know why I am agonizing over this so much.

While the HF is certainly attractive I have read very mixed reviews of it and its Jet counterpart.

I need to just order my new Mini and be done.

Randy Meijer
12-07-2004, 2:17 PM
My JET mini is on the way!! Should be here Thursday. Going to be real busy this weekend!!!:D

CS-USA says the thing weighs 69 lbs. UPS tracking says it weighs 93 lbs. Quite a difference........wonder who is correct?? 24 lbs of packaging seems a bit much???

Chuck Smith
12-07-2004, 4:29 PM
Robert, where are you? I'm in Mt. Clemens, Michigan & have a Jet 1236 for sale. It's about 2 years old & in great shape with a custom cover. Asking $275. I outgrew it & bought a Powermatic 2035.

Chuck

Robert Cox
12-07-2004, 5:44 PM
I'm down in Maryland.

How is the Jet 1236 differetn than the HF or Grixzzly that look like they came off the same line?

Chuck Smith
12-07-2004, 7:58 PM
I'm haven't seen the Griz, but the HF is similar, but not the same. As mentioned above, there is about a 40 pound difference between them. The Jet is made from bigger castings, has a different tailstock, banjo, toolrest, nicer machining on the ways, etc. That said, I know a couple people that have HF's & are happy with them. They only do spindle work.
Remeber, you are buying a FIRST lathe. Most people will either upgrade to a big & expensive lathe down the road, or decide turning is not for them. Either way, you will have more fun buying lathe than thinking about buying a lathe. No substitute for experience in order to find out what you really want. All of them have pretty reasonable resale, so don't worry too much.

Have fun,

Chuck

Robert Cox
12-07-2004, 9:00 PM
I figure that weight has to show up somewhere.

Any idea if you could get it shipped reasonably?