Mini lathe decision.

[John Haylow]

I'm getting close to purchasing a mini lathe. I am trying to decide between the Jet JML1014 and the General 25-100M1 Maxi lathe.

There is a significant weight difference between the two, the Jet weighting 69lbs and the General 106lbs.

The price is within $10, so there is no issue in that respect. Jet also makes the 1014 in a variable speed but I am told that it is not available in Canada.

Any thoughts?

John

[Daniel Martin from St.Laz]

With the General you can purchase the optional extension that ables you to turn longer than 15". I don't know if Jet offers this ? These 2 choices do look very similar.

Daniel

[Andy in NS]

I've used both and would vote for the Jet mini, between my son and I we have turned a couple hundred bowls on the Jet and it is one of the best made tools I have come across. If you buy it out of the USA, you will find it is a bit cheaper than the General. As for the VS, it only takes a second to change speeds and there are lots of speed combinations available.

Andy

[J.P.Rap in Hamilton]

I recently taught a class at LV and they had 7 maxi lathes. They were falling apart as we were using them. Later, the LV manager emailed me to tell me General was looking after the problem and they would send somebody down to see them. Thats the last I heard.
To be fair, these lathe see a LOT of use and get shipped all over the country.
That said, we have jet mini lathes at the guild and they also see a lot of work. To my knowledge, we haven't had the problems I saw with the maxi.
I wasn't at all impressed with this lathes even before we started having problems with them.
I found fit and finish to be poor and the little cover over the belt is plastic and really cheepend the unit.
FWIW
J.P.

[Chris in Wpg]

I just bought a mini lathe. I looked at the General and the Delta and ended up taking the Delta. My only consern with the General was that apparently it uses non standard length morse taper attachments. I didn't look too closely at it but that's what I was told by the saleman who is an avid turner and also fond of green tools... most of the time.

Chris

[JG]

Popular Woodworking- Dec. 2004 just published a review. Jet was their choice. Worth a read. Cheers, JG

[JG]

Oops! I lied. Oneway was their choice as the best, but amoung the others (which cost a lot less) the Jet was the best value. JG

[Bodger (Toronto, Ontario)]

If you read further they chose the Jet over the Delta based on price. My observations on this side of the border are that you can get a better deal on the Delta.

I have a Delta Midi and apart from the power switch placement can see no difference between the Jet and Delta lathes. If they don't come out of the same plant I'll eat my shavings.

Bodger

[John Haylow]

I would like to thank everyone for their help on my mini lathe decision. And a special thanks to Jim Shaver for helping me get in touch with Jacques Coulombe in Montreal.

Thanks to Jim I found out that the Jet 1014 variable speed is indeed available in Canada.

I chose the Jet 1014 VS, it should be here in a couple of days. I am also going get the Oneway Talon chuck for it.

I also just received Bill Grumbines DVD today, so guess what I'm doing tonight.

Thanks again.
John

[Barry in London]

John, would you mind sharing what you paid for it? I'm considering one for myself for Christmas.

Thanks

Barry

[Bill Howatt]

His website, see below, says $496. You may be able to avoid the PST if you aren't in Quebec. He is a very nice person to deal with.
Bill



Jacques Coulombe Jet VS (http://www.jacquescoulombe.com/jet01a.htm)

[Barry in London]

OUCH!! I've been a really good boy this year but even Santa's not going to be that nice to me! Thanks for the info anyway.

Regards

Barry

[John Haylow]

Barry.

The link Bill posted below has the price I paid. They said it would be around $30 for shipping.

It does seem like a lot of money, but it should last me a good long time.

Regards,
John

[Bill Howatt]

I'll repeat my relative price story again at the risk of boring everybody.
When I bought my 20" electronic variable-speed General for much, much more than your VS Jet my friend was helping me get it into the shop. I said I had some doubts about the wisdom of spending so much money on what is really a hobby. After I told him the price (about $4K) he said it was real cheap compared to buying a new snowmobile and trailer and I could use it all year. In 10 yrs my lathe will still be in good shape whereas a snowmobile, ATV, computers etc will likely be in or destined for the scrap heap.

Your expenditure isn't even a 1 year golf club membership!

Enjoy it with a very clear conscience.
Bill

[Marcus in Oakville]

I'm getting the Jet 1014 VS, from Philipps Bros in Buffalo for US$ 349.99, saving a few bucks, no budget for a Oneway 2436 yet...