New Lathe - Suggestions?

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MikeMcM1956

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
150
Location
Sugar Land, TX
I have been turning on a Shop Fox W1704VS that I picked up new in the box on CL for $100. It's a decent little lathe, but I have continued to have out-of-round and concentricity issues with my pens. Measuring the runout inside the headstock bore shows it to be about .005, and this is the end of the blank that comes out the worst. So I end up with the tip (or cap, or band) sitting in line with the blank on one side, but sitting proud when the it is turned 180 degrees. I have went from mandrel turning to turning between centers with Johnny's bushings, it almost seems to have gotten worse. I love turning, and want to do more, but it's really frustrating to turn a nice blank, put on a nice finish and assemble with a nice kit just to have it not look and feel good :frown:.

So back to the original topic of my post :biggrin:. I want to get a better lathe, and need suggestions. I know the Jet 1014VS is pretty well regarded, but am open to any and all inputs and opinions. I recently heard about the new Delta 46-460, the website video and features look really nice but I can't find anyone carrying them locally to check one out. I do not see my self moving into large turnings in the near future, so a mini/midi should do me fine.

I am looking for accuracy, quality construction, and good service (if ever needed). I won't say price is no object, but am willing to spend what is needed to get what is needed. The Shop Fox has done an excellent job of getting me hooked on penturning, and will stay in use for things like stoppers, or perhaps a dedicated buffing setup.

Ladies and gentlemen, the floor is now open to discussion....

Mike
 
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Wow, Mike sure sounds like you have a junker there with .005 spindle bore runout.
I cast my vote for the Jet 1014, have two and both are way less than .001 runout,
closer to .0002-.0004 (tenths).
I have ran the crap out of both of them, and no failures.
Try Amazon, they offer free shipping on the Jet at times, and sometimes have better prices than woodworking suppliers.
 
my first lathe was a grizzley, compared to that my Jet1014 was made by god himself. I may be a little overly impressed because of my 1st one being so incredibly horrible, but I say...Jet1014....extention bed couldn't actually hurt either. I actaully had someone ask if I could make a new chair leg, and I was able to help out.
 
johnnycnc said:
Wow, Mike sure sounds like you have a junker there with .005 spindle bore runout.
Click to expand...

Awww, you're just trying to make me feel good :wink:. It was better when it was new, but it's aging fast based on the 50-60 pens I've made on it. I figured if it can't make round blanks with your bushings, it's time for the old heave-ho.

Thanks for the recommendation on the Jet, seems to be the initial concensus but the polls are still open....

Mike
 
Hard to beat the Jet -- Go for the variable speed -- I would not go back. Just ordered a big lathe, but will keep the Jet 1014 in Tucson as unbeatable for the weight and money -- love turning on the patio.
 
OK, so far 5 of 5 for the Jet. Not a statistically valid sample size, but good nonetheless.

So, if I do go with the Jet 1014VS, should I get the indexing model? It seems to have a few other features beyond the indexing that could be helpful. It's only a $5 price difference at Rockler, and the local store is having their 'Birthday Sale' this weekend with a 10% coupon good for power tools :tongue:....

Mike
 
Mike; Have you thought about fixing the Shop Fox lathe?
Many of these are a knock-off of other lathes and the parts may be interchangeable with other lathes.

Is the lathe noisy? It may just need adjustment or cleaning. Check the inside of the spindle taper and clean it with a rag soaked in mineral spirits or paint thinner. Clean the dead center or mandrel too!
 
MikeMcM1956 said:
OK, so far 5 of 5 for the Jet. Not a statistically valid sample size, but good nonetheless.

So, if I do go with the Jet 1014VS, should I get the indexing model? It seems to have a few other features beyond the indexing that could be helpful. It's only a $5 price difference at Rockler, and the local store is having their 'Birthday Sale' this weekend with a 10% coupon good for power tools :tongue:....

Mike
Click to expand...

The indexing part of the Jet is just a lock on the head side and I think there are 24 positions. These is no mark indexing wheel. My suggestion is to get the VS jet then get this indexing wheel.
http://alisam.com/page/14g9e/Woodworking_turning_OT.html

Mike
 
Mike,
Thanks for the info, I may pick up the Alisam indexing system somewhere down the road. Right now I don't really know what benefits the indexing offers me, but it's only a $5 price difference between the VS and the VSI at Rockler right now....

Mike
 
Picked up the 1014VSI at Rockler yesterday, $459 with 10% off 'cause the Houston store celebrated their 5th anniversary yesterday. It's beautiful, can't wait to get it unboxed and fired up :biggrin:....

Johnny,
There's an order coming your way, none of the local stores carry MT2 live centers that are worth anything. Except for a $125 universal center from Sorby :eek:. And nobody had 60 degree dead centers....

Mike
 
I have been using a Rikon Mini for years without any problems. A lot of the shops that I go to for classes have them and I have never seen one down. I also have 2 that are used in my shop for students and they get a lot of rough use and have never let me down. The Jet is also a good lathe, but I have little experience with them.
 
It really depends on what you are going to be turning really?? Are you going to be turning just pens or do you want to turn other things? That is the ? you have to ask yourself when you buy a lathe. I had a Jet 1236, but when I started turning bigger bowls, it didnt have the h/p to do it. I got myself a Nova DVR and I love it. But it depends on how money you have to spend as well. Good luck in your search.
 
I also have a Rikon midi lathe and I can turn bowls up to 10". It runs smooth and true and it is easier then the Jet to change the belt for speed changes. I really like it a lot and would recommend it.
 
I have the jet 1014vs lathe and i love it. The only problem i had as well was the on off switch. But I just took the switch out and went to my local ace hardware they found one (with a plastic toggle instead of metal) that matched it. I took it home and put it in. No prob. Only took 15 minutes.

I would get one.
 
MikeMcM1956 said:
Picked up the 1014VSI at Rockler yesterday, $459 with 10% off 'cause the Houston store celebrated their 5th anniversary yesterday. It's beautiful, can't wait to get it unboxed and fired up :biggrin:....

Johnny,
There's an order coming your way, none of the local stores carry MT2 live centers that are worth anything. Except for a $125 universal center from Sorby :eek:. And nobody had 60 degree dead centers....

Mike
Click to expand...

Congrats and good choice. Johnny's stuff is top notch, heck even the stuff salvaged from the flood was better than most of the items you find in the stores. Have fun and enjoy your new prize.

Mike
 
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