I JUST purchased on saturday the jml-1014 jet mini lathe because it was
the one in the Woodsmith store that i could afford. Now I find out that
rockler is having a sale on the 1014VS WITH nova chuck for $299. I paid
$279 for the straight 1014. By the time you add tax I paid right at
$300. Rockler is qouting me $343 shipped from main wherehouse and $325
from the indianopolis store & and around $315 from the minneapolis
store. One person told me that the belted 1014 has more lower end
torque because of its motor, then the 1014VS. The other thing I noticed
is you still have to change belts. I'm not stuck on Jet, in fact I
hadn't originally planned on a jet. But $325 is going to have to be my
limit.
There are so many different lathes out there that is very very confusing.

Also I'd like to know the best way to cut blanks from stock. I have a
scroll saw, a band saw ( with tons of blades ), a compound miter saw,
table saw (still in storage ) and a floor model drill press (yes, I know
I can't cut with that )
I'm thinking right now of primarily making pens and other small
turnings, like flashlights, magnifiying glasses, letter openers, but
since I'm a brand new woodworker I could easily wind up making something
totally different.

One person has told me I'll lose torque by getting the VS and others
have said to be sure thats the only one i get. please advise me.
I'm totally confused now!

Troy

On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 03:03:32 -0500, Hall Family
wrote:

My brother and I both asked a lot of folks the same question when we were
shopping for Jet mini's.. overwhelming response was that we'd be happier without
the VS...
I've good hundreds of hours on the mini and have never regretted the choice of
jet or not getting VS....

If the woodsmith store near you has the VS, see if they'll give you a demo...
you just can't know for sure until you're hands on...

OTOH, I like the reeves drive VS on my Jet 1442, but that's not an option on the
mini..

You will find out that when you start using the lathe a lot, your 2nd most used
tool will be the band saw... cutting bowl blanks, pen stock, etc., etc....

I have a couple of shop built jigs for the BS especially for pens... One is to
cut 3/4" wide strips for the blanks, the other is a sled that has stops for
normal and mini blank length...

I JUST purchased on saturday the jml-1014 jet mini lathe because it was
the one in the Woodsmith store that i could afford. Now I find out that
rockler is having a sale on the 1014VS WITH nova chuck for $299. I paid
$279 for the straight 1014. By the time you add tax I paid right at
$300. Rockler is qouting me $343 shipped from main wherehouse and $325
from the indianopolis store & and around $315 from the minneapolis
store. One person told me that the belted 1014 has more lower end
torque because of its motor, then the 1014VS. The other thing I noticed
is you still have to change belts. I'm not stuck on Jet, in fact I
hadn't originally planned on a jet. But $325 is going to have to be my
limit.
There are so many different lathes out there that is very very confusing.

Also I'd like to know the best way to cut blanks from stock. I have a
scroll saw, a band saw ( with tons of blades ), a compound miter saw,
table saw (still in storage ) and a floor model drill press (yes, I know
I can't cut with that )
I'm thinking right now of primarily making pens and other small
turnings, like flashlights, magnifiying glasses, letter openers, but
since I'm a brand new woodworker I could easily wind up making something
totally different.

One person has told me I'll lose torque by getting the VS and others
have said to be sure thats the only one i get. please advise me.
I'm totally confused now!

Troy

Mac

https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm

In article ,
Hall Family wrote:

Also I'd like to know the best way to cut blanks from stock. I have a
scroll saw, a band saw ( with tons of blades ), a compound miter saw,
table saw (still in storage ) and a floor model drill press (yes, I know
I can't cut with that )
I'm thinking right now of primarily making pens and other small
turnings, like flashlights, magnifiying glasses, letter openers, but
since I'm a brand new woodworker I could easily wind up making something
totally different.

All of them ('cept maybe the scroll saw) but band saw wins, hands down,
as most frequently used and most versatile. Just be careful about round
stock rolling into or out of the blade - in other words, "chock" it so
it doesn't roll.

--
Owen Lowe

Northwest Woodturners
Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild
___
Tips fer Turnin': Place a sign, easily seen as you switch on your lathe, warning you to remove any and all rings from your fingers. Called degloving, extended hardware can grab your ring and rip it off your finger. A pic for the strong of stomach: www.itim.nsw.gov.au/go/objectid/2A3AC703-1321-1C29-70B067DC88E16BFC/index.cfm

Besides, rings can easily mar the surface of a turning as you check for finished smoothness.