>I am considering purchasing this Lath, Jet JWL-1236 12". I can get it for under $400.00
I wanting to learn to turn smaller stock, Bowls, Vases, ect.. and would like some opinions for those who have used this, if its a solid piece of equipment for the buck?
I wanting to learn wood turning and didnt want to sink too much money into a lathe until I learned more of the craft, then I will move up to a larger lathe.
I own other Jet equiptment and found them to be a good Name to go with.
Any opinions and other assesories to get would be appriciated.
>It's a great machine, especially for $400. That's what I use. It might be quite a while before you decide you need a bigger, heavier lathe. Some other turners here have had them, and later upgraded to larger machines, but other than capacity, I remember very few complaints. Some of the 1236s were kept by those who upgraded, others went to other participants of this forum.
The first accessory you need is a big, sturdy box built between the legs, The closer to the top, and the bigger, the better. Fill it with sand or concrete, or shot. The extra stability makes a big difference in vibration. The angle iron legs are otherwise not stiff enough.
>Got my Jet 1236 last weekend. Love it. Don't be afraid to take the cover off and tap the Reeves drive to get the higher speeds working if it is really cold out.
First piece I turned with it was a 6" square edged bowl - pictures coming soon. Worked wonderful.
This weekend it was a sycamore bowl blank 10" diameter. First chucked between centers and balanced it. I expected it to shake my barn apart like my old lathe did. Not a chance. Of course, I have a board and 300 lbs of sandbags laying across the stand support.
>I too started on a 1236 and have since moved to a PM3520. I made a box that sat on the stand that was filled with sand. This firmed up the stand and stabilized the lathe as well. To increase the speed range to the low side, you can take the plate off the speed control lever and drill and indent hole one more space counter clockwise which will give you one more lower speed which will help with starting unbalanced pieces.
All in all the 1236 is a good starter machine that many turners have learned on and moved up from. The problem is that you get bit by the turning bug and then things just get worse, more tools, bigger lathes, bigger blanks, more shavings etc etc.
>I got mine at "That Wood Joint" here in Memphis. It was the floor model and they discounted it pretty good. When I got it, the online prices were in the $560 area. Now Amazon has it for just under $400. I'm happy with the $425 I paid for mine. After all, it came home with me right then and there.
Please note that I think Jet has discontinued this model in favor of the 1442 and 1642. No matter what though, it is a good lathe and I'm sure Jet's proven customer service will not let me down if I need it.
You shouldn't have to take the cover off and tap the Reeves pulley. This may be a sign of things to come! I, too have a 1236 and replaced the Reeves pulley for the same reasons you have mentioned; the pulley binds on the shaft. Every two days I would take the pulley off and clean the shaft. Works fine for a couple of days and then it starts to bind again. In talking with folks at Jet they recommended this and suggest using silicone lubricant. The other thing they add is perhaps the spring is weak. From their response I gathered it wasn't a new problem for them. I've seen numerous posts that other 1236 owners have the same problem. It's a good machine, but, in my opinion, not designed for excessive use. Mine is in the shop, been there for two weeks, and as yet, not fixed. Before I took it in I had purchased the 1642 with 2hp motor and I'm very satisfied with it. I know the 1236's are now cheap, as compared to the $600 I paid; but I WOULD not buy one.
In closing, the Reeves pulley is fragile and I know one turner who tried the tapping cure and broke the pulley.
I hope I haven't offended all the new 1236 owners; this has just been my experience with the machine.
>I have a 1236, and use it pretty hard. It's an OK machine, but there are some quality control problems, and the machining, as you might expect, isn't going to be the same as a more expensive lathe. It's a good starter lathe --you'll have a lot of fun, you'll learn a lot, and by the time you're ready to move to a better-built machine, you'll have to replace the Reeves Drive pulleys (sheaves, actually), which isn't all that expensive.
If you plan to make lots of lamps, or do work that requires accurate drilling and boring, you should invest in a machine with tighter machining tollerences in the tailstock assembly -- a close look at the tailstock motions of the OneWay, Vicmarc, Woodfast, and other well-made lathes will be a real education.
For all 1236 owners: you might running up and down the entire speed range a few times at the end of each turning session -- seems to spread the lubricant (though it should be dry lube), or perhaps just push the gunk aside, allowing the entire speed range to be used. I have also added the lower speed modification Phil Wall described.
Safe Spinning,
Brad Vietje
Thetford, VT -- Ye-Ha! Back in the freezer ! -20F expected again tonight :(
