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Lathe Replacement

2K views 30 replies 16 participants last post by  MrUnix 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey Guys, just a quick question. I have a Jet mini lathe that has the belts to control the speed. Getting very tired of it. What would be your choice to upgrade. Now remember I am just starting out. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks you.
 
#3 ·
well i have the same lathe except with speed control,no problem.but as unix said what are your needs?i make pens and small turnings and spindles so it's all i need right now.
 
#4 ·
Besides knowing what you like to turn and budget! Also what lathes have you been looking at already. So hard to recommend new or used wood lathe without knowing. Looking at Craig List only found three lathe might call to ask about based upon where in Jersey l live.

I could never recommend buying new lathe with Asian reeves drive not convinced that reliable, so more expensive electronic variable speed lathe is what your looking for versus changing belts.

Know that old Rockwell reeves drive for $650 might be worth a look if looking for 220V lathe or had source already.

That General lathe for $120 EVS but cannot find parts for so would definitely would need to know if it runs before even thing of buying. General INT (no longer in business) had trouble stocking replacement parts for that lathe.
https://federatedtool.com/general-maxi-lathe-vs-12-x-17-wood-lathe-variable-speed-25-200m1/

Central NJ Craig List
https://allentown.craigslist.org/tls/d/whitehall-rockwell-wood-lathe/7035876611.html
https://southjersey.craigslist.org/tls/d/clementon-wood-lathe/7056030646.html

Someone will have to correct me but think this lathe also move belt over pulley to change speeds, but might find it easier than your mini lathe.
NJ Shore
https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/d/king-of-prussia-lathe-amt-4370/7026296901.html
 
#7 ·
I was in your position for a few years. My old lathe was outgrown and parts were a problem. Make a list of pros and cons and your decision will be easier. Do you have the space? What is your budget? How much use will it get? Power requirement available? And as the other LJ's asked what do you want to turn? I found the lathe not the most expensive item. Chucks, sharpening tools, gouges, scrapers, carbides, etc. not to mention turning blanks. I could go on and on. Not inexpensive, but so much fun. Good luck!
 
#8 ·
I was in your position for a few years. My old lathe was outgrown and parts were a problem. Make a list of pros and cons and your decision will be easier. Do you have the space? What is your budget? How much use will it get? Power requirement available? And as the other LJ s asked what do you want to turn? I found the lathe not the most expensive item. Chucks, sharpening tools, gouges, scrapers, carbides, etc. not to mention turning blanks. I could go on and on. Not inexpensive, but so much fun. Good luck!

- mike02719
I've got to ask about the parts problem mentioned above. I'm always seeing comments about machinery and their parts availability. What parts specifically are you asking about??
I've had a unisaw since 92. Besides bearings and a motor wearing out from extended use, no other problems with the machine.
I also have a Delta lathe built in the 70's, maybe earlier with Reeves drive. No issues with it. Works like it's supposed to.
I also have a Powermatic 3520 lathe built in 2001. Got it second hand. It works like it's brand new. No parts have ever been replaced except for the VFD which was damaged when moving it to my place.
So, what are the parts that need to be replaced that some people are always saying to make sure they are gonna be available?

Reaper, other than MrUnix showing a picture of an outdated Powermatic, if you plan on doing larger pieces, over 12", Powermatic is the way to go. It's a solid machine, quite and will accomplish anything you mount on it if you have the experience to try it. ..................... Jerry (in Tucson)
 
#9 ·
Powermatic is the way to go. It s a solid machine, quite and will accomplish anything you mount on it if you have the experience to try it.
Jerry is spot on. I bought a PM 3520C 2 years ago … pretty much trouble-free, and it does everything I want it to do. I'm pretty sure it will be the last lathe I ever buy!
 
#10 ·
Powermatic is the way to go. It s a solid machine, quite and will accomplish anything you mount on it if you have the experience to try it.

Jerry is spot on. I bought a PM 3520C 2 years ago … pretty much trouble-free, and it does everything I want it to do. I m pretty sure it will be the last lathe I ever buy!

- TheDane
LOL! Pretty big price difference ? Just sayin:)
 
#14 ·
Now remember I am just starting out. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks you.

- Reaper417
Like the rest have said. Pretty vague without knowing what your needs and budget are.
But just starting out. I recommend hanging in there with the Jet you got till you get a good grasp on
what you want to turn. If your going to stay with smaller projects, the size of lathe you already have with a Variable Speed control would be fine. But A little more time and you may want to turn 20" platters, and the big Powermatic starts looking good.
 
#15 ·
Thanks guys I got the point. I only turned a little bit mostly pens and bottle stoppers. I'm kind of learning on my own so that's about it for now. I have no problem with the Jet mini just the changing the speed belts. Pain in the neck. I don't need anything that I will not out grow. Just something to start with and have variable speeds. I kind of figure I would use this until I am able to make bigger things and then buy my permanent lathe. Hope that helps.
Dave
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
I only turned a little bit mostly pens and bottle stoppers. I'm kind of learning on my own so that's about it for now. I have no problem with the Jet mini just the changing the speed belts. Pain in the neck.
- Reaper417
For small stuff like that, you should not need to change speeds at all… and if you do, it's maybe only once per project. Just how often do you feel the need to change speed?

Heck, I had an older, more or less full size lathe, that used belt speed changes and I rarely used more than two speeds - slow to get things roughed out, and fast the rest of the time. And that was on larger stuff like bowls. For small spindle type work, I never changed speeds.

Cheers,
Brad
 
#17 ·
Users with variable speed lathes are more likely to use their lathe at an optimal speed for the task at hand, because it is much easier to change the speed, find and use the best speed for you, your project, your tools, etc.

Electronic variable speed lathes have less vibration than single phase motors with either belts or mechanical variable speed drives.

If you like everything about your current late except the belt changes to change speeds, then I would suggest looking at similar size lathes with electronic variable speed. The suggestion of a replacement variable speed motor may be more cost effective than a whole new lathe (I know nothing about the specific motor mentioned above).

On smaller lathes, where low speed torque is not as important (smaller diameter projects), the typical 3 phase motors with variable frequency drives (VFDs) are perfectly capable. When you get to larger lathes (and projects) where low speed and high torque become more important, Digital Variable Reluctance (DVR) motors/drives have an advantage (not a big one albeit).

Andy
 
#18 ·
I only turned a little bit mostly pens and bottle stoppers. I m kind of learning on my own so that s about it for now. I have no problem with the Jet mini just the changing the speed belts. Pain in the neck.
- Reaper417

For small stuff like that, you should not need to change speeds at all… and if you do, it s maybe only once per project. Just how often do you feel the need to change speed?

Heck, I had an older, more or less full size lathe, that used belt speed changes and I rarely used more than two speeds - slow to get things roughed out, and fast the rest of the time. And that was on larger stuff like bowls. For small spindle type work, I never changed speeds.

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix
+1 i rarely slow the lathe down for small turnings.you should be good for now.
 
#19 ·
Get the variable speed replacement motor from PSI. It s about 100 bucks and change. I put one on my Jet mini and am happy with the difference it made. Or, you can buy a new lathe.

- Woodbum
+1. The PSI upgrade motor made my cheap lathe much more enjoyable to use. Make sure you sign up for their email list to get 10 of 15% off your first purchase.
 
#20 ·
Thanks guys I got the point. I only turned a little bit mostly pens and bottle stoppers. I m kind of learning on my own so that s about it for now. I have no problem with the Jet mini just the changing the speed belts. Pain in the neck. I don t need anything that I will not out grow. Just something to start with and have variable speeds. I kind of figure I would use this until I am able to make bigger things and then buy my permanent lathe. Hope that helps.
Dave

- Reaper417
Agree with others you really dont need to be changing speeds all the time for pens and stoppers, at least to cut. However, to sand and apply finish on the lathe, its a different story. All the cutting could be done at ~2000 rpm, but sanding and finishing is more like 600 or below even for pens. So yes, that is a giant pita.

Take a look at this Grizzly G0844. Could do get started on medium sized bowls and platters. Notice although it is vs belt position changes are required for speed ranges- most all vs lathes are this way, except larger Nova's. Mid range should handle small project cutting and finishing.

You want 2MT tapers like bigger machines. Get chucks and faceplates that can take 1-1/4×8 tpi and reduce down to 1×8 tpi spindle threads - most big lathes are 1-1/4", wont have to buy new stuff.
 
#22 ·
I finally got around to looking at the variable speed motor specs from PSI…

The motor/drive control is limited to a variable speed range of 2.3:1, so belt changes are necessary when you need to change between the following ranges:

Motor Speeds:
-Belt position 1: 650 - 1450 rpm
-Belt position 2: 1250 - 2800 rpm
-Belt position 3: 1600 - 3800 rpm

Thus the prior suggestion to change between 2000 rpm for turning and 600 rpm for sanding/finishing would still require a belt change.

This conversion kit is a DC motor, with a variable voltage DC power supply to drive it. It appears that many of the variable speed midi lathes use the same type of variable speed DC motor, with 3 similar speed ranges.

There are three common systems for variable speed electric motors used on wood lathes:
1. DC motor with variable voltage supply
Typically still use belt with step pulleys for 3 mechanical speed ranges (with some overlap between ranges)
2. 3-phase AC motor with variable frequency supply (VFD)
Typically still use belt with step pulleys for 2 mechanical speed ranges (with a lot of overlap between ranges)
3. Digital Variable Reluctance (DVR) motor with custom supply/controller
One continuous, electronically variable speed range

Some older lathes use a 'Reeves' mechanical variable speed transmission, with a single-speed AC motor.

Andy - Arlington TX
 
#24 ·
So Andy I would have to get a lathe with DVR so I don t have to do the belt changes. Right?

- Reaper417
Not necessarily … depends on what you are turning. I leave the belt on my PM 3520C on high speed for most of the stuff I turn (e.g. segmented bowls, spindle work, etc.). If I am pulling a heavier load (e.g. large bowl blanks, deep hollowing, etc.) where I need more torque then I move the belt to the low speed range.
 
#25 ·
Don't know any wood lathes that comes with single speed! So guess all wood lathes are variable speed. Just a matter of how you increase or slow down lathe speed. ONE SAFETY PRECAUTION SHOULD FOLLOW NO MATTER HOW YOU ADJUST SPEED ON YOUR LATHE TURN IT TO SLOWEST SPEED WHEN FINISH TURNING!

Changing belts to increase or slow down lathe speed (manually moving a belt over pulleys) probably most reliable and least expensive lathes.

North America & European made reeves drive lathes pretty reliable but do require little maintenance but not a big deal. Asian reeves drives get mix reviews some work just find for years before trouble sets in and others don't last very long.

Electric variable speed simply turn dial or push key pad to adjust speeds. One style still have to change belts from low range to high then turn dial to appropriate speed. DVR no belts simply press key pad to adjust speed. If not mistaken DVR come with preset speeds already programmed.

I have earlier 1642 version and do change my belts from low 0 1200 RPM to high range 03200 RPM. Not sure about speed range on new 1640. Thing like about my EVS lathe breeze to turn to zero when finished turning!

https://www.amazon.com/Jet-719500-JWL-1640EVS-115V-Lathe/dp/B01CYS58VQ?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-d-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01CYS58VQ

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/nova-saturn-dvr-lathe

If up for a challenge you might consider swapping out your motor for a treadmill motor. Have to check online for different How to Do article to fit your situation; here is one:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Replacing-a-Wood-Lathe-Motor-With-a-Treadmill-Moto/
 
#26 ·
So Andy I would have to get a lathe with DVR so I don t have to do the belt changes. Right?

- Reaper417
No see post #19. The Grizzly and some of the other midi lathes should go low enough in midrange to sand and apply finish and fast enough for cutting without a belt change. Depends on how slow you want to go, which you have not specified.

As for Nova DVR lathes, at least the newer Galaxi/Saturn, there are 8 preset speeds available, that have values from the oem, but are user programmable to any lathe speed. There is also a speed knob/dial that does fine and coarse speed adjustment from any of the preset speeds. And yes it is a very nice option to have presets and a knob to adjust.
 
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