Lathe Upgrade Question

I prefer the Jet 1642

Dominic Greco in Richboro, PA

>Tony,

If you look in the articles section, you'll see a review I wrote 2 years ago about the Jet JWL-1642EVS.

I'll tell you what I've told the numerous people who've emailed me about this lathe. Since I wrote that review I've really put this lathe through it paces. From pens to 16" diameter salad bowls. I'm as satisfied now as I was when I first bought it.

In comparing it to the Nova, I liked the fact that the Jet offered a sliding headstock that could be positioned anywhere along it's 46" bed. I can work "outboard" just as easily as working inboard. Also, the 46" bed comes standard. I believe that the Nova comes with a 24" bed and you need to buy the extension if you want more. Also, the Nova does not come with a cast iron leg set. The Jet does. At the time, the Jet seemed like the most "bang for the buck". And like I said, I'm still happy with it.

Good luck in your quest.

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

JamieDonaldson

>Tony- for about another $200 you can buy a Powermatic 3520A that you won't outgrow and have a much better lathe that functions for both spindle and bowl turning by sliding the headstock.

Re: I prefer the Jet 1642

Tony in VA

>Dominic,

I was hoping you would respond as I had read your review awhile back and was wondring how it had been working out for you since then. Thanks a bunch for taking the time to answer me. I was leaning toward the Jet when compared to the Nova and your reply adds another tick mark to my Jet column!

I have been a lurker here for a long time and particulary enjoy your postings. Thanks again and keep up the great work you do.

Tony in VA

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

Mark Kauder. Phenix City, AL

>Dom is my friend, and I cannot disagree with his reasoning. Our club lathe is a Jet 1642 and it works great.

Jamie is right as well, and if I had to choose between the Powermatic 3520 and the Jet 1642, I would choose the Powermatic.

I am retired Army, and I admire your ambition to move your shop every few years. To that point, the Jet weighs 500 pounds, the Powermatic it 750 pounds.

The DVR is a good lathe, is lighter, especially if you build your own base for it - you could build one every time you get to a new place.

Mark

Mark

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

Leo Van Der Loo

>Hi Tony, You are absolutely making the right choice buying a Oneway, it is by far the better lathe, as are their chucks, grinding jigs, vacuum system, live centre, etc.

They make the best quality in my opinion and experience.

You will never regret buying the best.

Have fun and take care

Leo V

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

Scott Greaves, Blackfoot Idaho

>Hi Tony,

I have the Oneway 1224. It was an obvious choice for me. I mostly turn small items, and the 1224 is the best small lathe - period! But don't make the mistake of thinking it is portable, because it isn't. I did exactly as you are thinking, buy the 1224 now, and plan on a "big" lathe in a few years. When the time comes for the big lathe, I am leaning towards the Powermatic. It is just so versatile!

Good luck with this choice! I don't think you could go wrong with any of the three you mentioned!

Scott.

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

Earl

>I have been debating the same question and have decided on the Powermatic 3520. It's not portable and would not help your weight problem when moving 'cause it weighs 700# but for the price I just don't see anything out there that is better. A Oneway may have a finer finish but you will be upgrading. I don't think you will be thinking about upgrading with the Powermatic. I tried one recently and it runs great, is quiet and will do anything you want.

Earl

Don't Get Rid of your MINI!

Jim Shaver Oakville Ont

>Hi Tony,

I also started off with the JET mini and grew into a General 26020VS. I love my General but it's a bit over the $2000.00 you have set aside. Anyway, my point for this post is to encourage you to keep your JET mini. I was just having the conversation the other day about how glad I was that I had kept the mini. I thought it would just be a natural thing to sell it after the big lathe came. Am I ever glad I kept it. It's so nice to have the little lathe to put in the car to take to demonstrations, turning gatherings, etc. I use it a lot for the little stuff like when I'm on a binge to turn a bunch of pens or stoppers. I'll turn one on the JET and while the finish is curing on that one. I go to the other lathe, etc. If you have kids, keep it for them. My son is now a pretty good pen maker because he loves to turn on the mini.

It's just a thought, but if you can spare the little bit of space it takes up, I would really consider keeping it.

Jennifer

Oops...

Jennifer@Indy.USA

>...forgot to change the name from posting a pic for Mr. Shaver....

Doh!

Re: Oops...

Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont

>Thank Jennifer,

I appreciated the help, I was having a problem finding a way to post that picture, funny how your typing looked like my name...Happy Thanksgiving,

Jim

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

John Lucas

>Tony

I've demonstrated several times on the Jet 16 and I own the powermatic 2035. Go for the powermatic if you possibly can. It is really noticeable when turning larger stuff. I'm not talking about bigger things than the jet can handle. Just turn a 12" bowl that's a little out of balance and you'll realy see the difference.

Can't help with the weight problem. It is heavier. Moving it is quite easy. I bought a hydraulic rolling jack for $16. I block up on end and put a set of wheels under it. I made the housing for the wheels from wood. Then I jack up the other end and do the same. One person can move it. I'd take a photo but I just gave them to a friend who was moving out of state. I have to build another set for my self because I will be moving into a new shop at the end of the month. I'll post a photo when I get them built.

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

John Cahall, Ohio

>i agree don't get rid of the mini. I love my Powermatic 3520 and recommend it to anyone. The mini comes in hady when I am turning plugs, lids, etc and can use two lathes.

Re: My mini is in my truck as I write this.

Al Crandall

>Heading to TX. in an hour and am taking my mini with me to ease the boredom while my wife visits with her relatives. Will probably turn some hollow forms with the laser captured tool because that process takes the longest and I don't have a lot of wood. Keep the mini is my advice.

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

JanManuel

>I used a Jet mini for the first time last spring, when the local turning club did Freedom Pens at the Woodcraft store...I was impressed with how smooth it ran....and that my Nova chuck fit it...

However....I missed the mass that my big lathe has...I have an older Rockwell/Delta lathe, and a Delta DL-40. The DL-40 has a 54" bed, and a 16" swing....The weight of the bigger lathes, gives them a stability no mini is ever going to have.

I've turned tiny things, like pens, cribbage pegs and drawer pulls on both lathes, and I've turned mantle columns that were as big a chunk of wood as could go in that big lathe....

Where lathes are concerned, weight is a good thing.

$200 difference?

Alan Tolchinsky

>Isn't the difference about $800? That's what I've been seeing when pricing these two. Jet about $1900(220volt) and Powermatic $2700. Please correct this if I'm wrong.

The Jet looks like a great lathe but if you can stretch, the Powermatic is in another league. And I agree to keep the mini. Turing pens on a 700 lb. lathe seems like overkill to me. :) Keep the mini for all the reasons stated already. Good luck in your choice.

Re: $200 difference?

Tony Reynolds

>Southern tool has them listed for $2447 with free shipping. WoodWerks in Columbus OH has them $2590.

Tony

No brainer then.

Alan Tolchinsky

>For only $534 difference you get much more lathe and 6" more swing with the Powermatic. I realise 500 bucks ain't chicken feed but down the road it won't seem like much. But I know Tony you have other factors to weigh here. No pun intended. :) I'm guessing the Powermatic might be a LITTLE harder to move.

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

Tony in VA

>I appreciate the number of responses I am getting for this post. Unfortunately, I am stretching to get $2000 right now so the Powermatic is just out of my grasp at this time. I am going to a local Woodcraft tomorrow to take a look at the lathes and see if anything jumps out at me. Maybe I can get my wife to look at these posts and see that I need more money! That will be tough but might be worth a try.

Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving!

Tony in VA

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

Barry Turner

>I currently have a Jet mini lathe. I went through the same thought process as you. I have looked at the same upgrade lathes as you........and then some. The Oneway 1224 is a fine lathe, excellent quality, good company and customer service, probably the best lathe of your other choices. But, it's still not much of an upgrade from your Jet mini, I'm afraid. That's the conclusion I reached. Depending upon exactly what you intend to turn, I think you will find you need more swing instead of more length, most of the time. As for the Nova DVR, I have only looked at it in stores. I turned all day on a Nova 3000 and came away thinking it was larger and nicer than my Jet mini, but I didn't really want one. I didn't like the levers on the toolrest or tailstock. The lathe was noisy. The DVR should be much quieter and smoother, but I don't care much for the touch-pad controls. As for the Jet 1642, nice lathe. A lot of lathe for the money. I would prefer it over the DVR, I think. I think I might throw in a few more bucks and go for a PM 3520A, though. As for me, I went for broke and have a Stubby 750 on order, but then I don't move around the country much. Just remember, there is no perfect lathe. You just have to do your research and find the one that has the set of features that best suits your needs. Good luck.

Re: Lathe Upgrade Question

Tony Dentino

>I too am considering the Jet 1642. I have looked at both the 1642 and the 1242; they seem essentially the same except for EVS. Is EVS worth the extra thousand bucks or are there other differences i'm not aware of?

Tony