I have been using the Jet mini lathe for the past year and have now decided to step up to a 14" lathe. I like both the Delta and Jet and am having a very difficult time deciding between the two. It appears that the additional cost of the Jet is primarily due to the cast iron legs. I don't particularly like the motor location on the Jet, but it does have some features that the Delta does not. Can someone give me pros and cons and any experience you can share?

Ed

For the extra money for the Jet you get a heavier lathe, drive
center/live center than line up properly, a quite vibration free lathe
plus a much better/heavier stand. The Delta 1440 I owned had none of the
above attributes. I unloaded it for half what I paid.

You won't be sorry if you buy the Jet 1442.

LB

Thank you LB for the reply. I guess it just seems that Delta would make the necessary improvements to take care of some of these problems. Some people seem to be quite satisfied with the Delta and others are not. I still do not care for the motor placement with the Jet. Also, I am going to have to mobilize whatever lathe I get. So the stand may not make that much difference since it won't stay put.

Ed

the motor placement is not a problem. i turn a lot of 12-14 inch bowls
using a super nova or face plate with no problem. the face plate
supplied with the jet is thicker to allow for motor clearance. I do
question the motor location when sanding a piece on the lathe. the dust
can be drawn into the motor if you don't use dust collection. i use dust
collection...more worried about my lungs that the motor.

you could not buy the jet leg set and build your own stand with mobility
built in.

LB

"Ed Murray" wrote in message

I have been using the Jet mini lathe for the past year and have now
decided to step up to a 14" lathe. I like both the Delta and Jet and
am having a very difficult time deciding between the two. It appears
that the additional cost of the Jet is primarily due to the cast iron
legs. I don't particularly like the motor location on the Jet, but it
does have some features that the Delta does not. Can someone give me
pros and cons and any experience you can share?

After adding an additional 100lbs. in sandbags to my Jet 1442, it is about
as quiet and vibration-free as a 14" lathe can be. The basic lathe with the
legs weighs 350 lbs., and with the sand it tops at roughly 450 lbs. The
Delta weighs less than half that.

Technical details aside, it's been a nearly flawless lathe and has performed
so well that while I've sought to replace it with something larger, I
haven't pursued this with much enthusiasm, the Jet is working so well.

Max

I have had the Jet 1442 for about 15 months and overall I am quite pleased.

Pro's
- Easy to assemble
- Cast iron legs are very heavy and add to the already heavy bed and other
components
- Quiet, low vibration.
- Easy to learn with (I am a newbie)

Con's
- I share your motor placement opinion but not a real problem yet.
- Speed control is kind of sticky, especially when cold. I am told this is
fixed.
- Price is going up. Paid $799. Recently saw same machine-same shop for
$915.

I would buy it again.
RonB

Ron,

What is the fix for a sticky speed control? I had to quit turning in
35 degrees ambient, because the lathe was colder than I was.

Walt C

"WaltC" wrote in message
Ron,

What is the fix for a sticky speed control? I had to quit turning in
35 degrees ambient, because the lathe was colder than I was.

See my note to Ron. I think the holes for the detent pin are too small on
the original speed control units. I ruined mine, and the replacement works
far superiorly. I also lubed the level pivot and everything now seems slick
and smooth.

Max

What is the fix for a sticky speed control? I had to quit turning in
35 degrees ambient, because the lathe was colder than I was.

See my note to Ron. I think the holes for the detent pin are too small on
the original speed control units. I ruined mine, and the replacement
works far superiorly. I also lubed the level pivot and everything now
seems slick and smooth.

I have previously heard about the holes too but haven't had a chance to take
a look at it. A previous post suggested that gentle emery reaming and a
drop of oil will remedy.

The Jet on-line tech support recommends cleaning the belt-drive area but
that sounds a bit flakey. I had the problem before the machine had a chance
to gum up. I'll need to tear it apart and try the ream and oil.

"RonB" wrote in message

What is the fix for a sticky speed control? I had to quit turning in
35 degrees ambient, because the lathe was colder than I was.

See my note to Ron. I think the holes for the detent pin are too small
on the original speed control units. I ruined mine, and the replacement
works far superiorly. I also lubed the level pivot and everything now
seems slick and smooth.

I have previously heard about the holes too but haven't had a chance to
take a look at it. A previous post suggested that gentle emery reaming
and a drop of oil will remedy.

Had I not bent my original pin, I would have tried that, and with success,
I'm sure. A proper size rattail file should do the job quickly.

The Jet on-line tech support recommends cleaning the belt-drive area but
that sounds a bit flakey. I had the problem before the machine had a
chance to gum up. I'll need to tear it apart and try the ream and oil.

You can actually ream the detent holes without removing the speed control
unit. Same with oiling the pivot. Mine will actually go past the holes on
either end a little, with no binding whatever. One other suggestion: try
one of those red linked belts--the resulting smoothness is amazing. And the
one I installed doesn't seem to wear at all; at least there's no apparent
belt residue in the compartment.

Max

- Price is going up. Paid $799. Recently saw same machine-same shop for
$915.

Ye, they are more pricey now. However Amazon has it (with legs) for 849.99
less 25$ promotion for any tool over $199. Free shipping brings me to 824.99
delivered.

Given the recent increases in big-iron tools I think this is a pretty good
deal.

The extra bonus is that *I think* this qualifies for 3% rebate points on my
amazon card.

Other vendors I have found are cheaper, but they want up to $155 for
residential delivery

-Steve

"RonB" wrote in message

I have had the Jet 1442 for about 15 months and overall I am quite pleased.

Con's
- Speed control is kind of sticky, especially when cold. I am told this
is fixed.

I bent the detent pin on my speed control the first day. Replaced the whole
control unit with a new one from Jet--only about $20--and it works fine. I
think the original units had holes a bit small for the pins, thus the
sticking. Also the lever works more smoothly if you apply some oil. FWIW.

Max

Ed--

I am a new Jet 1442 owner, and highly pleased with it after 6 months.
My previous lathe was so old the name plate was worn down, so I can't
compare what I have with others on the market.

It does everything I ask it to. I agree with the pros and cons of
others. One more con, I have found that the paint chips fairly easily
when I hit the frame with the tool rest. Not intentionally--yet.

One other strong pro--I am working on turning bowls, and I like to do
my hollowing with the head turned at 30 or so degrees to the bed. Of
course you have to use the extra arm on the tool rest when you do this.
The result is rock steady. Any vibration or chatter I get is because
of my use of the tool, not the rest wiggling.

I've not had a problem with the motor mount--it is indeed close--except
for one piece of firewood I face plate mounted to try to make a bowl
out of it. It had a hook that bumped the moter. I turned it
around--and had to turn it off anyway--so it was a small problem.

I'm not sure about having it mobile--unless you don't turn unbalanced
stuff. Mine isn't. But if I did have to move it, I think I would keep
the legs, and put a castered platform under it. TThe legs are fairly
cheap, and they are really rigid. I did have to put a 2x4 under mine
to get the lathe to comfortable turning height (I'm 6') so there is a
bit of room for some sort of wheeled contraption.

On the Wood Magazine Woodturning forum there have been lots of
complaints about problems with Delta machines, and problems with
Delta's customer relations. Scared me off. I can't tell you how
customer relations with Jet work--haven't had any problems.
Hope you love it.

Walt C

"WaltC" wrote in message

I can't tell you how
customer relations with Jet work--haven't had any problems.

So far nothing but the best support and assistance.

Max

If you are paying nearly $900 for a Delta or Jet you would have to be
nuts not to get a Nova 3000 for the same price. Woodcraft 1 HP AC just
under $900.

Nova is not variable speed plus it is very light. not even in the same
ballpark as the jet.

LB

I thought so. Went to Woodcraft site and checked the price of Nova. Also heard that Delta was being bought by Black and Decker. Don't know if it is true or what it really means for the future of Delta products.

Ed

You must be thinking of the 16" Jet. The 3K is an order of magnitude
better than either 14". Machining & engineering. Weight alone isn't
everything and any amount can be added. Variable speed is (mostly)
hype. The range on the 3K is more than needed and belt drive doesn't
suffer from low speed torque problems of electronic VS nor the noise
adjustment & cleaning problems of a Reeves drive.

I have talked to Jet a couple of times about their motor being on
backwards, and they don't care. When I do a natural edge bowl, I make a
flat spot on top (forstner bit and depth stop on the drill press) and
then put a face plate on. The motor is in the way, unless the bowl is
small. As long as nothing extends over the faceplate, you can turn as
big as the lathe can handle. The intake of the motor will pull in dust
while turning, not just while sanding. Other than that, it is a good
lathe.
robo hippy


















ebd wrote:
You must be thinking of the 16" Jet. The 3K is an order of magnitude
better than either 14". Machining & engineering. Weight alone isn't
everything and any amount can be added. Variable speed is (mostly)
hype. The range on the 3K is more than needed and belt drive doesn't
suffer from low speed torque problems of electronic VS nor the noise
adjustment & cleaning problems of a Reeves drive.

Try using your chuck and pin jaws. Gives you more room.

"robo hippy" wrote in message
ups.com...
When I do a natural edge bowl, I make a
flat spot on top (forstner bit and depth stop on the drill press) and
then put a face plate on. The motor is in the way, unless the bowl is
small.

"robo hippy" wrote in message


I have talked to Jet a couple of times about their motor being on
backwards, and they don't care. When I do a natural edge bowl, I make a
flat spot on top (forstner bit and depth stop on the drill press) and
then put a face plate on. The motor is in the way, unless the bowl is
small. As long as nothing extends over the faceplate, you can turn as
big as the lathe can handle.

Solution: I purchased a 1x8--to--1 1/4x8 adaptor to enable using a chuck
with the larger thread diameter. Now everything clears the motor, and I've
incurred no additional vibration of any sort. I got rid of my 1x8
faceplates and only use 1 1/4x8 plates now.

The intake of the motor will pull in dust
while turning, not just while sanding. Other than that, it is a good
lathe.

Solution: I put an old nylon stocking--a wifely discard--over the motor
grill and so far no dust buildup in the motor at all. I blow the stocking
"filter" off every few hours with high pressure air. Work like a charm.

Max

I have talked to Jet a couple of times about their motor being on
backwards, and they don't care. When I do a natural edge bowl, I make a
flat spot on top (forstner bit and depth stop on the drill press) and
then put a face plate on. The motor is in the way, unless the bowl is
small. As long as nothing extends over the faceplate, you can turn as
big as the lathe can handle. The intake of the motor will pull in dust
while turning, not just while sanding. Other than that, it is a good
lathe.
robo hippy


















ebd wrote:
You must be thinking of the 16" Jet. The 3K is an order of magnitude
better than either 14". Machining & engineering. Weight alone isn't
everything and any amount can be added. Variable speed is (mostly)
hype. The range on the 3K is more than needed and belt drive doesn't
suffer from low speed torque problems of electronic VS nor the noise
adjustment & cleaning problems of a Reeves drive.

I have talked to Jet a couple of times about their motor being on
backwards, and they don't care. When I do a natural edge bowl, I make a
flat spot on top (forstner bit and depth stop on the drill press) and
then put a face plate on. The motor is in the way, unless the bowl is
small. As long as nothing extends over the faceplate, you can turn as
big as the lathe can handle. The intake of the motor will pull in dust
while turning, not just while sanding. Other than that, it is a good
lathe.
robo hippy


















ebd wrote:
You must be thinking of the 16" Jet. The 3K is an order of magnitude
better than either 14". Machining & engineering. Weight alone isn't
everything and any amount can be added. Variable speed is (mostly)
hype. The range on the 3K is more than needed and belt drive doesn't
suffer from low speed torque problems of electronic VS nor the noise
adjustment & cleaning problems of a Reeves drive.

"ebd" wrote in message

The range on the 3K is more than needed and belt drive doesn't
suffer from low speed torque problems of electronic VS nor the noise
adjustment & cleaning problems of a Reeves drive.

I've heard this claim many times, but am puzzled by it. What sort of
cleaning and adjustment problems have you incurred with a Reeves drive?
I've turned about 150 hours on my Jet 1442 and so far no problems of any
sort. I did replace the belt early on with a segmented belt for the sole
purpose of smoothness, but beyond that I've had not problem one.

Max

Unless kept clean the pulleys become hard to move and will not go the
full range. Depending on what you turn and sand, humidity, and other
shop conditions this can be rather frequent. Also, this drive system
can drift out of parallel too easily for my taste. When I'm in my
shop, I want to work on wood, not machine maintenence. Once aligned
and set up perfectly, a machine shouldn't need additional
set-up/alignment work more than once in about 10 years (unless it's
abused). BTW I wouldn't consider 150 hours to be heavy use. That's
not even the break in period.