Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Carole in VA

>FWIW, I love my Jet Mini, but then I have not used the Delta so I can't compare the two.

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Fred in NC

>Jet Mini here. I have turned on the Delta too. I am very happy with my Jet Mini.

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

JL

>While I don't have either, I have turned on both. I really like the Jet VS mini.

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Keith Tompkins

>HI Craig, I like the Jet, especially with variable speed. I think you'll be glad you went with the VS model.

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Barry Turner

>I have not turned on the Delta, but I will tell you the reasons I bought a Jet Mini. Better fit and finish on the lathe (mine is about 3 years old and a Taiwan model). Less plastic is used on the Jet. Mine is the belt-drive model. I think the VS Mini is overkill. Except for 9"+ out-of-balance bowl blanks, you could use practically any mid-range speed and still be okay. I just bought a STubby 750. I'm keeping the Jet Mini!

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Jerry Whitaker

>I have a Jet Mini VS and I really like it. I know of a group of independent wood turners, not an AAW chapter and six of the seven bought Jets. I think the Delta owner is now wishing he had bought a Jet. In the Craft Supplies Woodturners Catalog, the old style Jet is $249 and the VS is $349. I personally would recommend that you buy the VS. You will spend a lot more time turning if you do not have to constantly move the belt, although it is not a difficult task. In my opinion, the only thing that Delta has over the Jet is that the belt-drive door opens to the front but I really don't like the plastic.

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

theeviltwinn

>I bought the Delta. After three months I returned it and got the Jet.

Mike

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

pete

>i have turned on both.. i bought the jet .. same reasons listed above, finish, less plastic, price aside i'd buy the jet again.. standard is ok, vs you can mod on your own. for less than price difference and get more power.. no need to buy the vs unless you don't want to modify it on your own..

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Bob Reeve

>Have you considered the Turncraft Pro by Pen State Industries? I have it and it has the same specs as the Jet for less money. Mine works well for turning pens. I haven't tried it for anything else yet.

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

MikeinCapeMay

>Hi Pete,

My buddy has the standard and has talked about modifying his. What did you buy and where did you buy it to do the modification to VS with more power?

Thanks,

Mike

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Anthony

>Same here,I have the Jet VS and I'm very happy.Bought the PM 3520 but still have my jet.I've done pens to 8-9" bowls on it with no flaws.If you want or need a longer bed just add an extension on,they are not that pricey.Good luck!!!

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Arch

>I think that most turners who upgrade to big lathes keep their mini. They cost less than the add-ons for the big iron. IMO affordable and non-intimidating small lathes that aren't toys partly caused the hobby's explosion and probably were a major reason for sales of the big lathes.

Having brayed that, I agree with both Keith and Barry.:) I like the my VS Jet mini, but a major

fault that makes it less useful for me is that unlike my VS N3K it won't go to zero rpm. There ought to be some way to make it do it. Anybody?

Turn to Safety, Arch

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

EagleS.C.

>My first lathe was the JET pen making lathe bouth last june.

I had never turned anything prior to that.

It went back within a week.

I don't think HF would try to sell that lathe no matter what color they painted it.

I replaced it with the JET mini.

The difference was nite and day.

Ther are times when a VS speed would be nice but changing the speeds when necessary is a no brainer and can be done in less that 15 seconds.

A reversing feature would be nice, even for sanding pens.I just fip the blanks on the mandrel.

Personally I can't see putting the extra mony into an electronic control that may go on the fritz.

When I bought mine they were going for $200.00.

I had contemplated the bed extension at one point but I think now I would just get a larger lathe and keep the mini.

From what I understand there have been issues with the hanles on the Delta.(I may be mistaken but ISTR posts about handles breaking on the Delta.)

The JET is not without a downside.

I had an experiec=nce where new in the box it was damaged with no visible signs on the carton.I have read where this has happened to others.

Jet and the supplier replaced with out any problems but it was an additional 3&1/2 hr rt drive to make the switch.

Open and inscpect before you take it home.

It is a great lathe.(IMNSHO of course)

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Keith Tompkins

>I think that for pens and spindles, VS is not that important. However, for bowls and goblets, the VS is a great benefit. A vibration can be eliminated by adjusting the speed up or down slightly until the shake is minimized.

I personally don't care for the Delta handles. Every one I have ever turned on had stripped adjustment handles.

I like the General better than either !

Brad Vietje

>

Re: Mini-Lathe review/opinions

Craig Deere

>Thanks for everyone's response. The strongest vote came from Mike who bought a Delta and returned it and got a Jet. Thanks guys.