>I Have decided to start with a smaller Lathe, this way I can always keep it inside to do smaller projects after I move to a larger one.
I am looking at the Jet mini, As far as I can tell the only difrence between the VS model and non VS is the VS, otherwise its the same lathe, please correct me if I am wrong, there is a $100.00 difrence in price, Never owning a lathe, is the VS somthing I should spend the extra $$ for, I dont mind it if its going to be benificial to my finished projects.
I have read several reviews that talk high of the Jet but I see none concerning the Delta, should I consider Delta also?
Also should I consider a difrent chuck or other accesories that come with or not come with the Lathe?
>Another option you might wish to consider is the little VL100 Vicmarc lathe; without a motor it is $350. I just set one up for my son with a motor I picked up at a yard sale for $7. For $357 it is a much better lathe than the Jet. Some accessories you might want are a bed extension and a 12" toolrest. Thread size is 1"-8.
>The VL100, according to all reports, IS a nice lathe. However, the Jet (and Delta) minis seem to have the edge in "portability" (taking it somewhere, stowing it under a bench) with their attached motors. By the time you've gotten the base to house the motor with the VL100, you've put out quite a bit of cash.
I'm still very much a novice turner, but I must say I don't mind the pulley set up on the non-VS Jet. I bought mine before the big price drop, and I still like it. For $200, I'd be inclined to take the non-VS model and spend the $100 saved on a decent 8" slow-speed grinder (like Woodcraft's $95 1725-rpm model).
IMHO VS is sort of like car windows. Takes only a few seconds to roll them up or down, and if you have never enjoyed the advantages of power windows, what's the big deal? True, Vs is another thing that can go wrong and changing belting is quick & easy on the jet mini, but the _real advantages, and they are over-riding, lie in dialing smooth continuous changes between the belt
positions, _and without having to stop the lathe.
I have an older Vl100 and a new Jet mini VS. I may have lucked into a good one, but the Jet's heft and machining compares well with the Vl1oo and other minis. The power of the integral enclosed motor matches its size and is a real advantage. The controls are smooth and efficient and the Jet runs so quietly that I forget to turn it off. For the difference of 3 0r 4 fillups of gas or a dinner or two out, VS is clearly worth it, but as Yogi Berra would say. "If you don't have it, you won't know that you need it". I am really enjoying my little jet and I now understand its popularity. No matter how many big trophy lathes are owned, every turning shop should sport a VS Jet Mini. Aint a new convert who wants to convert everybody else a royal PITA! Arch
>I got the old Jet about a year ago (yeah, I paid the old price too!). I do spindle work only. I have not seen the need to change the speed very often. Could be ignorance, but I just haven't really changed it much. I have done legs, pens, handles, etc. As much as the turning tools cost, I would spend the dough on tools instead of the vs model. But that's from someone with a limited budget too. Anyway, enjoy your new tool. I've been real happy with mine so far. I got the extension too. I added a live 60� center and a 4 jaw chuck later.
Now, if I could just figure out how to use all this stuff correctly!
>The Jet Mini VS is indeed a true VS lathe. Is it worth the extra money, YES. Now if you're always turning between the centers as in spindel work you might want to save your money. However, if you plan to turn bowls VS is the way to go. Having the ability to set the speed excatly where you want to and not being locked into set speeds is a great advantage. I had a six speed lathe and now I have a VS lathe...I'll not miss the old lathe!
>I have a VS and I love it! I opted to spend the extra money because I want the versatility. I use the slow range when I have a severely off-balance blank mounted. The slow speed helps minimize the dance a lathe does with off-balanced wood mounted.
My prior lathe was a non-VS 1236 that danced all over the place with off balanced blanks mounted.
>To justify my original response (with regard to the VL100, where I argued in favor of getting the pulley-only Jet mini for $199, I think the central thing is that this is a starting turner (a novice like me). There are many, many places to spend money. If your disposable income is unlimited, get a super-nice lathe, excellent chisels, a Baldor grinder, Oneway chuck, etc. But if you add all this up, you find out your committed to spending over $1,000, and you don't even know if you like the hobby.
The $200 Jet frees up another $100 or so to buy another critical tool: a grinder. Switching from a 6" 3450 rpm Delta (intended for lawnmower blades and the like) to the Woodcraft grinder and the jig in Keith Rowley's books improved my grinds immeasurably. A top-of-the-line lathe is only as good as the tools, including their edge.
Thus, I'd get the cheaper Jet lathe and a grinder that's up to the task.