What brand is the best mini lathe?

[Mike Glaze]

What brand is the best mini lathe?

I have started my research into the best mini lathe. I asked someone who I respect on the phone about the Jet Mini Lathe and that person recommended the Vicmarc mini lathe over the Jet mainly due to he had the opinion it had better bearings and it would last. I also read a review of the PSI Carba-Tec II that was reviewed as the best mini lathe, but that was on the Penn State Industries web site and I assume PSI stands for Penn State Industries.

So what do you guy's think is the best mini lathe made for wood working?

Thanks for any information

Mike

[John Bailey]

Mike,

I can't help you with your lathe selection, I don't turn. However, I would like to welcome you to the "Creek." It's a great place and, although I don't turn, I do visit the Turner's Forum frequently because they seem to have more fun than some of the rest of us. They're a crazy bunch. I've recently thought maybe I should take the plunge and think about turning. I looked at the General Int. "Maxi Lathe." I don't know what the term "Maxi" means in this context, because it's a small lathe. Just seemed to be priced right and looked a little more substantial than some of the other "Mini" lathes. As you can see, I'm showing my ingnorance on the subject, but fear not, the turners will fill us both in.

Welcome to the "Creek."

John

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Mike.....Welcome to the Creek! Like John, I don't turn...yet.....but those turners here (who'll be able to help you) do have an awful lot of fun! I've accused them of sniffing wood chips and it must be better than some of the drugs used in hospitals or bought on the street! Again....Welcome!

[tod evans]

mike, welcome! no opinion on minis sorry, tod

[Patrick Lane]

What qualifies as the best mini will depend largely on what you plan to do.
If you are wanting to teach classes or turn proffessionally(8 hours a day, every day), then the Vicmarc will probably be worth the money.

I have a Jet mini personally. I have been using it about 2 years with no problems (got it back when they were about to introduce the variable speed model, so it was cheaper!). I don't see any signs of it needing repairs or improvements (other than maybe getting bigger) anytime soon.

If you are anywhere near Australia, get a mercury , wish I had one of those.


Really, just get one that has #2 Morse tapers and a fairly common thread size and have fun. I don't think I would want anything much smaller than the Jet for what its worth.

If you really get into turning, your probably gonna end up buying a bigger one to go along with it (I know I am once the budget allows, well and the wife ).

Patrick

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

I have no feel for the Vicmark other than the quality of their products overall, since I have never turned on one. I have owned a Jet Mini for over two years and have really given it a run.....Out of balance wood.........Big pieces.......Long pieces (Just finished 4 - 34" long 4" tapered legs on mine) and have not had ANY trouble with it. I am upgrading to the Rikon and have it weighting down the back of my van, till I'm through with some long stuff I need to finish. (Didn't spring for the extention yet.) I've used one at Woodcraft several times and the only thing I found objectionable was that the threads on the spindle were rough, but when I mounted a chuck firmly, it ran true.

Bruce

[Ken Salisbury]

I believe if you did a poll on this question that the Jet Mini would win hands down against what else is out there. I have 2 Jet Minis, one of which has produced a couple thousand items including small bowls,etc. The variable speed version is nice but not essential.

[Lee DeRaud]

I believe if you did a poll on this question that the Jet Mini would win hands down against what else is out there. I have 2 Jet Minis, one of which has produced a couple thousand items including small bowls,etc. The variable speed version is nice but not essential.

Is there any other difference between the "standard" mini and the VS?
(I'm having trouble figuring out how they get away with charging $100 just for that feature.)

[Ron Ainge]

I own a vs Jet mini and two loder Delta lathes and I have turned on a Rikon. I really like the Jet and would not put my money into the Rikon now that I spent some time on it. I think that they have some start up problems right now that they will have to clean up if they want to be in that part of the business. I would not buy another lathe that did not have the variable speed option on it. I do not like changing the pulley speed all of the time on the Deltas that I Own. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Jim Becker]

Is there any other difference between the "standard" mini and the VS?
(I'm having trouble figuring out how they get away with charging $100 just for that feature.)

Lee, that feature is a substantial value add to the machine. But it primarily is the only difference. If you plan on mostly spindle work, there is no need for the VS. If you plan on a lot of bowls and hollowforms, the VS is a good thing to have, both for safety and for better working conditions.

[Mike Glaze]

Thanks to all you guy's welcoming me to the forum and for all your helpful information.

I really like hearing several of you guy's really like the Jet Mini lathe and have not had problems with them. I was really sold on the Jet mini lathe before I called this person who is a pro wood turner who recommended the Vicmarc. He did not say anything bad about the Jet mini lathe except he felt the bearings were better on other lathes. I'm not going to be turning wood for 8 hours a day for five days a week with the lathe I buy. I'm going to be making smaller projects on weekends with the lathe I buy, so based on price and what I'm going to do with it the Jet mini lathe still sounds like my best option.

Thanks again

Mike

[Dick Parr]

Welcome to the Creek Mike. I have to agree with Ken as I have tried a couple and still love my Jet Mini the best.

[Ron Williams1]

I really cannot say which is the "best", all I can tell you is that I have been turning fairly constantly for the last 36 years on a large Delta. During the last 20 years I have made hundreds of pens, small bowls, bottle stoppers, etc, on the CarbaTec mini-lathe. The variable speed is great for me...if it just doesn't "feel right", I dial the speed up or down and keep going.

Good luck on which ever you choose.

Ron

[Bill Wyko]

I too have to jump on the Jet mini with VS. I started turning on that lathe. It's where I fell into the vortex. Thought to myself "This will be a good, cheap hobby." ROTFLMAO. By no means it this a cheap hobby.

[Tom Mullane]

I would suggest the Jet Mini, preferably the variable speed if you can afford it.... I have both a Jet 1236 and a standard Mini... great machines...

The new Rikon seems to be having some growing pain problems and I would stay away from it for now... I know of at least 5 people who have had to return the first one they bought and 2 of them had to return the replacement...