Well, I finished my little bench for my new Jet Mini last night and bolted
it down. Seems like a perfect height....spindle is about elbow's height.
After finishing the bench and getting it bolted down, I just couldn't help
my self, I had to try it out. When I plugged it in and turned it on, I could
not believe how quiet this little lathe is. You can barely hear it running.
Kinda sounds like a sewing machine. The Ridgid I was still in my shop and I
turned it on for comparison and couldn't believe the difference in sound and
smoothness of the turning. They are night and day! I had a couple 4"
diameter pieces of oak, about 12 inches long and within a very short time
turned myself a new mallet. This little lathe is great. I can't wait to get
home from work and turn something else!

My only complaint would be that the instruction manual is a little lacking.
Not much information in there for a novice. Can someone give me some basic
guidelines on turning speeds (rouging and finishing) that I should use for
the differing sizes of between-centers pieces and faceplate pieces?

Walker