>Before i spend my hard earned money, I have been looking at a Jet 1442 at Woodcraft, 900.00, I have seen the 1236...from info I have read, most turned items don't exceed the 12in diamter, which would be provided by a 1236..the other issue is mass/weight, but what if the 1236 is mounted to a bench?..would that not provide adequate support, and provide stability..I know the 1442 is a heavy lathe, but as a hobby turner, would a 1236 cover the bill for less $$$$..tks...Dennis
poor technique....so the 1236 MUST have some power. For me, it is very solid and doesn't move at all. It has many speeds, the motor seems "strong", and it is very silent. Seriously, if you can afford to spend
more $$$, you will get a "better" lathe. But you
still have to purchase tools-gouges, skews, sharpening stuff and
chucks + other supplies: I am guessing minimum
of $500.00 for the extras; I think the extras
are not "extras", are necessary items. If you don't have tons of extra cash, buy it, try it--and sell it to upgrade, or purchase a more
expensive one and keep it as a spare/of for someone else to use. Seriously, it works well for me--but I am sure it is not the slickest one out-there...get a big Oneway!
>Dennis, have you priced the 1442 at Woodwerks in Columbus? Their phone number is 614-575-2400.
Also, at Woodcraft (Strongsville) make sure you talk price with John Timberlake, not one of the employees, some of whom can be curt or even rude at times. John is first class - the only reason I continue to shop there - and he may be able to cut you a deal, if not on price, then maybe on accessories thrown in. Plus, they have a 10% off everything and a 10% off Jet sale about once each year.
I had a Jet mini, then thought about the 1236. Honestly, it probably would have been just fine, but I have too many memories of "getting by" over the years. I bit the bullet, bought more than I will probably ever need in the 1442, and will never, ever regret it. I forgot the price of the 1442 a long time ago, but I vividly remember "getting by" and "buying cheap, then buying again" over the years.
>MY first lathe was the Delta 16" steel bed. It has variable speed control and weighs about 360 pounds and does not walk around. I do a lot of spindle work and bowls. It was to be the only lathe I would ever need, but - and there is always a but - I got interested in offcenter turning. A 9" or 10" can hit the limit of the 16" swing. So I moved up to a 24" swing and 1000 pounds worth of Vicmarc and the 16" delta is now my "mini".
I hadn't planned on the offcenter work when I got into wood turning, but found that I liked it after doing some. Buy the best you can afford and you will save money in the longrun. I have turned on the smaller machines, including the Jets, and could not beleive the difference the extra weight makes. And part of that comes from a solid headstock, not just adding weight to the base.
If possible, try turning on some of your target choices and you will get a much better understanding of what you are getting. That is what I did when I bought my Delta, and I found there was no comparison between it and the Jet. Now, I find there is no comparison between the Delta and the Vic..good luck in you decision.
I think you can find a 1442 for a lot less than $900.00, I bought one this year from a dealer at a "Woodworking Show" for $755, tax included. From what I have read at this site, I think most 1442 owners would agree that it's a good tool for the money.
>I live near Columbus and received the Woodcraft flyer in my mail box last night with a sale on the Nova. The non DVR version would be in your price range.
>...namely me, thinks anything smaller/lighter than a 1442 belongs in the "mini" class. I have a 1014 for small stuff like pens and bottlestoppers, and a 1442 for larger stuff. The headstock mass, along with the stability of the cast iron legs, along with 500 lbs of ballast, resulting in a 1000 lb lathe, is wonderful. It's the last I will ever buy unless I (someday) spring for a VB.
>If you can swing the cost diference the 1442 is a much nicer lathe. The sliding head is very nice for bowl work and the extra mass helps to dampen vibration. I could be wrong but I think the 1442 has an extra speed setting as well. Other than having a mechanical variable speed (instead of an electronic speed control) there is not much to outgrow with time. If I had started with a 1442 instead of a 1236 than I would probably not have upgraded to my current Powermatic lathe and I still might get one as a second lathe for my wife.
>Being a hobby turner, and nothing more, I want a good lathe, but don't want to break the bank in getting one, I have tried both the 1236 & 1442, and both seem like good units compared to my jet mini..the 1442 has more mass and weight, and stays stable, the 1236 I turned on has sanded base and it seemed stable to me, being a novice..I am really torn between the 2, I have the turning tools and chucks, I use on my mini, so don't need a lot of accessories, like the variable speed, and it would be nice to drill into a block without the tailpiece titering on the edge..I have read several posts, and it seems a 1236 fits my hobby plans, but the 1442 is a sturdier lathe..both turn wood nicely..I have limiited space, so it would take some re-arranging for either one..but the 1442, would be all the lathe I would ever need..most say to keep the mini but space is my problem, and it is limited....I have not seen cheaper prices on the 1442...899.99 to 947.00...that is all that I have found locally and online....Dennis
>...and it was when I got my 1442,I'd say go with your gut. In my case, the swiveling headstock and sturdier, cast iron legs were the deciding factors. It's not often you can buy a lathe, add 25 bucks worth of play sand, and have 1000 lbs of sturdy machinery that goes NOWHERE with even an out of round turning for about 800 bucks. With a bad enough blank you canget vibration, but the damn thing ain't gonna try to move to another county...or country.