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Thread: Jet Mini vs. Grizzly VS lathe

  1. #1

    Jet Mini vs. Grizzly VS lathe

    I am new to this forum but the first question I asked helped my pocket $100 for a RAS that was a boat anchor. I need some help with a wood lathe to turn slate type turkey calls. Here are my questions:

    1) Is the Grizzly VS at $139 a reasonable substitute for the Jet mini? If not what are its limitations?

    2) What are the best sources for used mini lathes? (I went to ebay and there was nothing).

    3) Are there any other brands that are great bargains with suitable quality?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Vernon, Connecticut
    Posts
    510
    Hi Harry,

    Welcome to the Creek. This question may get more response from the turners in the Creek Woodturning Forum.

    BTW, I have the Jet Mini (non VS), and have been impressed thus far. One things to consider is availability of accessories, aftermarket or from JET. The Mini is very well supported out there. I don't know about the Griz.

    Bob

  3. #3

    Good point, Bob

    BTW, I posted this on the turner forum and got little feedback. There is nearly the traffic over there. Plus, I figured that most folks over here have some kind of lathe in there shop even if tuning is not their primary hobby.

    Thanks for the welcome. This is a pretty neat forum...lots of traffic.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Tampa, FL
    Posts
    937
    Quote Originally Posted by Harry Thornton
    3) Are there any other brands that are great bargains with suitable quality?
    Hi Harry,

    Welcome to the 'Creek!

    I just bought my very first lathe, a Shop Fox Mini, for $139 at http://www.northwestpowertools.com/lathe/w1704.htm

    It's very similar to the Jet except that it's $110 cheaper.

    It's not as powerful as the Jet -- 1/3 hp vs 1/2 hp -- but it has continuously variable speed, which the jet does not. (In other words, you don't have to move belts from one pulley to another to change the speed, you just turn a little dial.)

    I really like it, but then I'm no expert and don't have much to compare it to, since I'm a brand new turner. Also, I've only used it for spindle turning so far, so I can't say how it does at face turning -- but then it sounds like you'll be doing much the same.
    ---------------------------------------
    James Krenov says that "the craftsman lives in a
    condition where the size of his public is almost in
    inverse proportion to the quality of his work."
    (James Krenov, A Cabinetmaker's Notebook, 1976.)

    I guess my public must be pretty huge then.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Vernon, Connecticut
    Posts
    510
    Oh no Tom,

    Hope this doesn't impact your supplying us with wonderful chisels and planes.
    Bob

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Tampa, FL
    Posts
    937
    Quote Originally Posted by Bob Winkler
    Oh no Tom,

    Hope this doesn't impact your supplying us with wonderful chisels and planes.
    Bob
    Not to worry Bob,

    Can you guess what I've been turning?







    ---------------------------------------
    James Krenov says that "the craftsman lives in a
    condition where the size of his public is almost in
    inverse proportion to the quality of his work."
    (James Krenov, A Cabinetmaker's Notebook, 1976.)

    I guess my public must be pretty huge then.

  7. #7

    Tom, I like that little Shop Fox

    It is very similar to the Penn State Industries lathe that has only 1/4 HP. Are you sure the Shop Fox has 1/3 HP? I think I am down to the Shop Fox or the Jet mini if I can get it for $188 (on sale "scratch & dent"). Thanks for the info.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Tampa, FL
    Posts
    937
    Quote Originally Posted by Harry Thornton
    Are you sure the Shop Fox has 1/3 HP?
    Now that you ask, no I'm not sure. Lemme go check.
    ---------------------------------------
    James Krenov says that "the craftsman lives in a
    condition where the size of his public is almost in
    inverse proportion to the quality of his work."
    (James Krenov, A Cabinetmaker's Notebook, 1976.)

    I guess my public must be pretty huge then.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Tampa, FL
    Posts
    937
    Quote Originally Posted by Harry Thornton
    It is very similar to the Penn State Industries lathe that has only 1/4 HP. Are you sure the Shop Fox has 1/3 HP? I think I am down to the Shop Fox or the Jet mini if I can get it for $188 (on sale "scratch & dent"). Thanks for the info.
    The plate on the machine says 1/3 hp & 4 amps.
    ---------------------------------------
    James Krenov says that "the craftsman lives in a
    condition where the size of his public is almost in
    inverse proportion to the quality of his work."
    (James Krenov, A Cabinetmaker's Notebook, 1976.)

    I guess my public must be pretty huge then.

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