Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 13, 2008 08:24am | #1

   Might I ask why you are limiting yourself to mini (as stated in text) or midi (as stated in thread title)???  Is it space? or money? or somethin' else??

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   peteryu65 | Jan 13, 2008 11:48pm | #2

   Unfortunately, I am limited to a mini or midi lathe due to both space and money. In my shop, space is a premium as I have only part of a two car garage and budget-wise, paying $1000+ dollars for a heavy duty lathe is just unrealistic for my purposes.
   Thanks,
   Peter Yu

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 14, 2008 01:53am | #4

   Whatever size lathe you're restricted to, you might consider looking for a used one, leaving you more money to spend on wood <yes!>.  Seems like they come onto the market with fair regularity.  I got my older blue Jet lathe with a set of turning tools (not high-end, but good for learning), for $250 off Craig's List.  There may be some small one comes up now from people whom Santa "upgraded" for Christmas, who knows!

   View Image 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 1/13/2008 5:54 pm by forestgirl

1. 
   oatman | Jan 15, 2008 05:01pm | #17

   Yo, Jamie:

   That lathe looks awfully clean! Have you made any shavings with it yet? My neighbor just cut down a HUGE maple tree and I scored about a ton of free wood. Free is the best. Now if my chainsaw just holds Up!

   Dennis

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 15, 2008 08:10pm | #18

   Hi, Dennis.  That picture is the one from the Craig's List ad.  The seller had a small, extremely clean shop (don't think mine's ever been so clean).  The lathe was originally a gift to his father-in-law years ago, who used it quite a bit.  Then he died, so they were selling it.

   Have fun with the free wood!  It turns much better than the stuff you have to pay for, LOL.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Metod | Jan 14, 2008 03:02am | #5

   Peter,
   You might wish to check JET's new mini-lathe: 12" x 20" (swing x distance between centers), 3/4 hp motor.
   More complete info at JetTools.com. Look for Stock No. 708376.
   I do not own a lathe (yet) not have I any turning experience/knowledge. Due to my (severe) space limitations, this would be maximal size that I could accommodate. At this time I am just collecting information - maybe by the end of the year it will come useful.
   Best wishes,
   Metod

2. 
   slo | Jan 14, 2008 12:39am | #3

   Deciding on a lathe is like most other shop tools if you can define what you want to do with it you can narrow what features you want to look for. If you are not going to turn 24” 100 Lb logs you don’t need 3 horse 24 inch lathe.  Some things you might consider speed control, reverse and does it use one of the standard sizes tool post and morris taper. Capacity is the easiest in that is it big enough to turn what you want. If you are going to turn green wood or segmented work its nice to have very slow start speed if you are doing spindle work only that’s not as valuable feature. Reverse is used for sanding or some bowl work (threaded accessory need to be tight on the head stock for this).  With lathe accessories seem to end up being a collection from different makers so as long as the lathe you chose uses one of the standard tapers and thread you’re ok there. You mention 2 makers but not what model you are thinking of? If you could be more specific about what you want to do with the lathe it might help some recommend features or the lathe that might fit. You might check the AAW (American Association of Woodturners) as well there are several turners there and you might find someone with the model lathe you are considering.

3. 
   BriMcG | Jan 14, 2008 04:24am | #6

   Hi Peter, I'm in the same boat. One, trying to decide if I really need one (but I WANT one!!!) and two, which to get.

   I read an article from an older FWW (Sept/Oct '02) which I found to be very helpful. Like I said it's a bit dated but I really don't think too much has changed. The article is available in PDF form as well.

   Good luck and I would like to hear what you decide on.

   Brian

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=2808

4. 
   chabber | Jan 14, 2008 06:23am | #7

   I received the Rikon mini lathe for Christmas. So far I have just been practicing on it. I turned a few tool handles and ripped up several pieces up with the skew. :)

   I really enjoy the lathe so far and seems to be of good quality. I can't speak for the Jet, but the Jet minis do seem very popular. Like others have said, all depends on what you want to do with it. I wanted to start with a small lathe and see if my interest is still there in a few years to warrant spending $1000+. The good thing is the tools will work just fine on a larger lathe!

   Josh

   EDIT: One note on the Rikon over the Jet, the belt is a lot easier to access on the Rikon. A door swings down and opens up the whole works.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/13/2008 10:26 pm ET by chabber

1. 
   captainkidd | Jan 14, 2008 06:42am | #8

   I also have to chime in here about the Rikon. I went with the Rikon with the recommendation of FWW shootout a few months back. I've only used it for a few little things (no pun intended) but so far it's a nice machine. I got it on sale at Woodcraft too so I saved about $50.00. I was/am in the same boat with only having a small amount of room plus not really a turner (yet) I didn't need a larger machine. If you want to go with Midi and new I would highly recommend the Rikon, but also as mentioned look for used for a good alternative.B.Kidd

1. 
   trackersoft | Jan 14, 2008 05:16pm | #9

   I bought the Rikon and it started out great but quickly went downhill. I had them send me new bearings and that helped but it has alot of runout and vibration (and is bolted to a VERY heavy stand!). I would recomend the Jet WITH the variable speed motor. Changing the belts is no big deal but as you go from roughing to finishing a pen or bottle stoper you will want to crank up the speed and the Jet is great for that.

   My sweet wife gave me the big Powermatic 3520B for Christmas and the RIkon will go onto Craigslist or Ebay soon!

   Scott

1. 
   user-1119429039 | Jan 14, 2008 05:32pm | #10

   Both the Jet and Rikon lathes are dandy machines. The Rikon's larger swing might be the deciding factor. In any event, I'd like to suggest checking the Tool Guide on FineWoodworking.Com for reader reviews of the Rikon and other lathes. And, of course, you can add your own review. Those reviews are there for you.

   David HeimManaging EditorFineWoodworking.Com

2. 
   captainkidd | Jan 14, 2008 08:55pm | #11

   That's interesting, hope mine doesn't start exhibiting the same symptoms. Like mentioned I haven't had very much time on it yet but so far it's very smooth. Of course no matter what tool it is there is always issues that crop up for some people due to some sort of failure or lemon that other people don't experience. Guess time will tell on my lathe.B.Kidd

3. 
   ohiobob | Jan 15, 2008 03:40am | #12

   I checked out a Jet at Woodwerks in Columbus Oh last weekend. The 12-20 does not have variable speed unless you call changing belts variable speed. I was disappointed in that feature.

5. 
   jquinn | Jan 15, 2008 05:03am | #13

   steel city has a midi variable speed lathe, casting looks similar to the jet.

    

   you might also consider the fisch lathe - I saw one at a show it is was virtually vibration free when running.  I don't think fisch makes them anymore but they can be found on the internet.

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 15, 2008 05:24am | #14

   I looked at the variable speed model here:http://www.steelcitytoolworks.com/products_tools.cfm?section=2&category=8&tool=60100

   How common is that 2-speed/variable speed arrangement?  Their text claims "maximum torque when turning at slow speeds."forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

6. 
   tinter | Jan 15, 2008 05:47am | #15

   Hi Peter, I took a class about 8 months ago at woodcraft and worked on the Jet mini. It seemed to work fine. I bought the Rikon after and have been doing nothing but turning wood on it since. I've turned lots of small bowls some small vases, lidded boxes, etc. I turned a bunch of pens for Christmas presents and started having problems, small vibrations have driven me to distraction. Trying to track it down has become my lifes goal. My inexperience has contributed to my frustration. In all fairness, if I had spent this much time on the jet, I may have some complaints with it. ???. I tried to turn some 11"round by 6" deep bowl blanks. The blank is so heavy that it made the lathe walk around the shop. Yes it was round and not off center, I believe that the weight of the blank was an issue. The answer would appear to be to add weight to the base(I have the rikon base). That would make the lathe immobile which does not work for me due to space. My lengthy point being that the 12" swing I thought I was getting is not usable. At least at 6" deep, maybe I would have better luck at 3 or 4" deep? Overall I'm not completely unhappy with the Rikon. Hope this helps, Chris

1. 
   peteryu65 | Jan 16, 2008 09:52am | #20

   Hey Tinter,
   Although I do not have experiances on the Rikon or the Jet, I can perhaps help you solve the problem of vibration. Open up the lathe and replace the V belt with a Link belt from Woodcraft or Lee Valley. The link belts can be linked up for different lenghts and significantly reduce noise and vibration on many power tools.

1. 
   tinter | Jan 16, 2008 06:42pm | #21

   Thanks Peter, I will gie that a shot.  Chris

2. 
   captainkidd | Jan 16, 2008 09:31pm | #22

   One thing is that the belt on the Rikon is actually kind of like a clear link belt. Unfortunately I am not at home so I can't describe exactly what it's like. Not saying it might not be the cause of vibrations which it very well could be just stating its not your average 'V' belt.B.Kidd

7. 
   butchf18a | Jan 15, 2008 04:34pm | #16

   Peter,

   Lots of great advice from many good and experienced folks here. I won't repeat any of that, just add my 2-cents worth.

   My shop space and what I do with my lathe is limited to pens, small bowls and small projects which require turned pieces. For this I've had a Jet mini lathe for about 9 years. I have not had a single problem. To this day I have yet to replace the drive belt or any bearings. I keep it clean and turn wood. Inexpensive, durable, reliable. I'm most pleased with the performance I've recieved over the years.

   butch

1. 
   SamW | Jan 18, 2008 02:47am | #23

   Jet seems to be under-represented, so here goes.  I bought a Jet about a year and a half ago and have used it to turn tool handles, gavels, and such.  Except for the inconvenience of belt changes to change speed, no complaints at all.  Runs smooth as butter and makes all the shavings you could want.  Turns free wood best of all once it is cylindrical.  Till then it walks pretty badly.

    

8. 
   falcon219 | Jan 15, 2008 08:42pm | #19

   These are all good comments!   Here's my 2-cents.....   Two years ago, I was faced with the same decision you now have.  I have other Jet equipment and love it, so I really wanted a Jet mini-lathe.   I was in the local Woodcraft store on day, and they had a GREAT sale on Rikon mini-lathes.   I was hesitant at first because I'm not familiar with the Rikon name, but the price was just too good to pass up, so I purchased the Rikon.  So far, I've only turned pens & some tool handles, but it works just great.  I've had no problems with it and I'm happy I got it.    I figure if I decide to upgrade, I can sell this one, and will then consider a larger Jet.   However, for now the Rikon meets my needs and I'm happy with it.   Last week I completed a bowl turning course and would like to do more bowls.  So, if my Rikon will handle slightly larger bowls than the equivalent Jet mini-lathe, I'm happy I went with the Rikon!  Good luck with your choice - I'm sure you'll be happy with either one.