Jet Lathe 1442VS

[Trooper]

Greetings fellas (and shielas),

I'm one of those puzzle nuts who have recently  invaded  hijacked ,   errrr decided to share your forums and was after help from the Pen and lathe gurus out there. 

Some bloke out there by the name of ‘Canuck’ reckons that this line of inquiry would be right up the Pen bloke’s alley and that you pen blokes would know exactly what you’re talking about. 

I have been seriously thinking about the JET 1442VS model to do a broad range of  turning projects.  The broom pilot   errrr dear loving wife will probably end up doing the odd project as well. 

The brochures and the Jet website all tell you how good it is, but I was wondering if you blokes have found something lacking on that model, or perhaps something that could have been improved before release.  I realize that all makes and models will have their advantages and disadvantages but was wondering what these ones were like overall.  Are they worth the money?  If you have one and with the benefit of hindsight, would you buy it again?

Any imput or suggestions you can provide will be greatly appreciated as I only really want to buy a lathe once. 

Trooper

 

[Chinnomotto]

Dear Trooper,

I'm gonna give my 2 cents worth

Been making crack eggs puzzles using my mini Jet indexing pin. Its crap, you have to guess and hope the pin engages at the angle you

 want. It still works, especially if you pray harder, but its better if the Jet you are after has a visual hole. If not, its a gimmick and an

 indexing chuck will be better

Live and learn. Good luck

[VisExp]

I have the Jet 1642 and have been very pleased with it.  I haven't used the indexing on it yet. 

[Chinnomotto]

Hi Keith, ( I have been spying on you and Johan , in Holy cow)

Can you check on your lathe whether the indexing is visiblely seeable, or do you use it blind

I have been guilty of advising Trooper these last weeks and he is now utterly confused...Hee Hee

I fluke all my turned puzzles on the mini Jet, so its no big deal, unless you want to attack tree trunks

My best investment , a $2 metal veneer caliper, you jam on the spinning lathe to check thickness, no stopping

Cheers

[DCBluesman]

Unless you plan on some monstrous turnings, you would be just as well off with Jet JML-1014I: 10'' X 14'' Indexing Mini Lathe

Six Speed operation
Heavy-duty cast-iron lathe bed adds stability while limiting vibration during operation
Spindle lock allows for ease of removing chucks and faceplates.
Indexing mechanism which allows for fast, efficient, fluting and veining operations
Live center has a removable pin for boring through stock
Self-ejecting tailstock for safe and easy removal of tooling
Cam-lock mechanisms allow adjustments of headstock, tailstock and tool rest base without having to use tools
Hollow tailstock allows you to perform long hole boring for lamps and other vessels

Stock Number: 708375
Model:  JML-1014I
Capacities Swing Over Bed (in): 10
Swing Over Tool Rest Base (in): 7-1/2 
Working Distance Between Centers (in): 14
Speeds (RPM): (6) 500 - 3,975
Spindle Nose (in x T.P.I.):  1 x 8
Hole (completely through spindle/in): 3/8
Headstock Taper: MT-2
Tailstock Taper: MT-2
Hole Through Tailstock (in): 3/8
Ram Travel (in): 2
Overall Dimensions (HxWxL/in): 24-5/8 x 7-1/4 x 14
Motor (TEFC):  1/2 HP, 1 Ph 115V Only 
Net Weight (lbs): 69

Jet Mini Lathe - Optional Stand 
Constructed of heavy-duty steel tubing for additional support.
Specially designed V-style legs allow more room under the lathe for maneuvering.
Adjustable height to accommodate all turners.
Mounts directly to your Jet Mini Lathe.
#63040 Optional stand extension available (not shown). Extends #27923 stand for use with #21677 bed extension.

[VisExp]

Can you check on your lathe whether the indexing is visiblely seeable, or do you use it blind

It seems to be invisible    It looks like you would have to guess the angles or count the holes as they go past a small window.  I got the lathe used, so I don't have an owners manual.  I need to try find an owners manual for download so I can check it out better.

[DCBluesman]

Jet 1642 Manual http://content.jettools.com/manuals/m_708359.pdf

[fyrcaptn]

We have a Jet 1442 and a 1014vs with indexing head. I really like both lathes and we use both a lot. 
My only complaint so far about the 1442 is the handle that adjusts the speed can be in the way of your tools. I don't care for the design loaction but I don't know of anything that can be done about it. The hp is enough for anything I'll ever hope to turn on it and I've had some large off balance pieces with no problem yet.. I've heard from others with it that they wish the low speed would go a bit lower. Some blanks are so out of round that a lower speed would be nice. I've used a saw or planers to reshape really off pieces so I've not had a problem. That's about it. Oh the index on the 1442 is not easily seen but it is there and works. The design on the mini is easier to use.
The mini is a mini. The hp and mass aren't enough (imo) to handle a piece as large as you can chuck on it. For small things its a gem.
If either of mine grew legs and walked off, for the money - I'd replace it with another just like it.

[Trooper]

Thanks FYRCAPTN. 

That's greatly appreciated.  The Jet 1442 is one of two I'm considering.  Both of them have similar specs but the Jet has the very strong allure of the variable speed over the other one. 

By the way, if your 1442 does grow legs and walks out of your workshop, be sure to give it directions to my workshop. 

Regards,

Dave
 

[Canuck]

 

By the way, if your 1442 does grow legs and walks out of your workshop, be sure to give it directions to my workshop. 

It better learn how to swim as well

[Trooper]

Nah, if it was a true Aussie it'd be too lazy to swim.  It'd just bum a ride.  Maybe on that albino moose!!!!!

 

[akbar24601]

Hey Trooper! I've got a Jet1236 VS lathe and have been very pleased with it. It has been able to take anything and everything I have thrown at it. As far as the indexing goes, it is blind, I just count the holes as they go past the pin I am holding. I use the indexing all the time and it works very well. I have the same complaint as Flycaptn that the lever for the VS is in the way sometimes but it is a small price to pay for what I consider to be an exceptional machine.

[Trooper]

Thanks VisExp, DCBluesman, fyrcaptn, akbar24601, Canuck and Chinnomotto. 

Much appreciated. 

Dave

[Canuck]

Don't thank me, I was only being a 'Smartie' (Term coined by 'Akbar')