Jerry Allen
10-15-2007, 11:03 AM
I just got a used Jet 1236 I found on craigslist.
It is in moderately good condition, a blue one from about 1997. It had some strange things like a shim from a Folgers coffee can under one side of the tailstock and a 22" belt when it should have had a 23". The manual is pretty bad, but I managed to get some more info on the net.
I have two Jet mini lathes and was not expecting the difference in noise level, but given the Reeves drive, I figure it's okay. I was able to get the headstock aligned to the tailstock by adjusting the headstock, but have some concern that in doing so, the turning axis may still not be truly in plane--seems okay though. After turning a few items, I am pleased with the performance. The extra power is nice and I like the speed change mechanism much more than the Jet Mini VS since I don't lose power.
Unlike the Jet Mini, all the set screws and hold down nuts were sloppy. One set screw on the bottom of the tailstock was actually gouging the bed. I peened the threads on all the loose stuff and cleaned up the bed and all the lockdowns are working nice now.
I used 6 12x12x2 cement stepping stones on the lower base frame and it is nice and solid to turn on. The weights are quick easy to remove and replace for moving.
I got to see first hand what difference a longer bed would an bigger motor would make without spending a lot, so will be much more inclined to get a new bigger machine in the future.
Questions I couldn't figure out:
1) What is the threaded left end of the headstock spindle for? I really miss having a hand wheel at the headstock. Has anyone added one there?
2) There is some rust on the base. Is there a place to get some paint that matches correctly, or should I just do the whole base with something close?
It is in moderately good condition, a blue one from about 1997. It had some strange things like a shim from a Folgers coffee can under one side of the tailstock and a 22" belt when it should have had a 23". The manual is pretty bad, but I managed to get some more info on the net.
I have two Jet mini lathes and was not expecting the difference in noise level, but given the Reeves drive, I figure it's okay. I was able to get the headstock aligned to the tailstock by adjusting the headstock, but have some concern that in doing so, the turning axis may still not be truly in plane--seems okay though. After turning a few items, I am pleased with the performance. The extra power is nice and I like the speed change mechanism much more than the Jet Mini VS since I don't lose power.
Unlike the Jet Mini, all the set screws and hold down nuts were sloppy. One set screw on the bottom of the tailstock was actually gouging the bed. I peened the threads on all the loose stuff and cleaned up the bed and all the lockdowns are working nice now.
I used 6 12x12x2 cement stepping stones on the lower base frame and it is nice and solid to turn on. The weights are quick easy to remove and replace for moving.
I got to see first hand what difference a longer bed would an bigger motor would make without spending a lot, so will be much more inclined to get a new bigger machine in the future.
Questions I couldn't figure out:
1) What is the threaded left end of the headstock spindle for? I really miss having a hand wheel at the headstock. Has anyone added one there?
2) There is some rust on the base. Is there a place to get some paint that matches correctly, or should I just do the whole base with something close?