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Mother of a lumberjack

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2K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  kelvancra 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi there I am a Canadian buying a lathe for my son, I'm starting with a midi lathe since that is his experience level right now. My pick after much research is the Jet JWL1221VS, however it is not available in Canada(Amazon.ca sold out) I like these specs, variable speed, forward/reverse, easy access to belts, motor 1hp. Canada sells all the others except powermatic. Is there another midi lathe that is comparible to the Jet 1221? Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
Hi Mom (well, somebody's Mom). A lot of these machines are made by a few companies in Asia. So other brands may have essentially the same tool. I took a look at Grizzley but they didn't have 12×21 but 12×18 and I didn't look long enough to determine how similar it was to the Jet.

I looked at canadiantire.ca but they didn't seem to sell anything but very basic lathe.

Good luck with the search.
 
#5 ·
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thank you for your reply, you're right the specs are similar however I forgot to mention the Jet 1221 is made of cast iron and since my son will build a cabinet for it I like the extra weight. It seems that I'll have to make a decision soon since supply seems to be drying up too. Thanks for the advice.Reviews here n Canada say run don't walk from Craftex
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Yeah, I had a Craftex bandsaw that I could never get to cut straight, endless frustration. I sold it at a pretty substantial loss. I imagine I just had a lemon and many of their tools probably work well, but I've avoided the brand since. I'd choose the Rikon over the Craftex.
King Canada sells a similar sized lathe, looks like cast iron. I have a King jointer that I've been very satisfied with, although jointers are simpler tools than lathes. https://www.kingcanada.com/en/products/woodworking/wood-lathes/kwl-1218vs-12-x-18-variable-speed-wood-lathe
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have used the Jet 1221vs, and I am really not impressed with it. Speed control was not right, not constant, and hard to get a repetitive speed.

While I have not used the Rikon lathe, this topic has come up many times here. And you can search it here on lumberjocks. Most Rikon tools seems to have favorable reviews here.

https://www.busybeetools.com/products/rikon-mini-lathe.html

At the bottom of this Acme tool web page there is a link for the complete use and care manual.
Tells everything you need to know about it.
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/rikon-70-150vsr?cm_mmc=Bing-_-PRODUCTFEED-_-RIKON-_-70-150VSR&msclkid=b58533268a751b85023452549185adab&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping-National-Search%20Only-Profit%20Margin%20Target-26-30&utm_term=4579328495690613&utm_content=Profit%20Margin%2026%25%20-%2030%25#specs

I like the available options that can be purchased for the lathe as well.
#1, Magnetic remote speed control. I have a lathe that has this. Very nice to be able to relocate the controls.
#2, 1" tool post. Most midi lathes, including the one I started with use a 5/8" post. When I upgraded to a full size lathe. I had to buy all new tool rests.
#3, Bed extensions are very nice. Makes longer projects like table legs possible.
#4, With the bed extension you can turn outboard up to 15".

Good luck,
 
#9 ·
The Rikon mentioned above would be a good alternative to the Jet. The Laguna REVO 12 X 16 Lathe gets good reviews and would another option worth considering. I have a full size Laguna lathe and it is well made.
 
#11 ·
Thank you for all your feedback, it has helped with the decision process. I especially love the offer to be my "son". His birthday is in January and it's a landmark year so Xmas and birthday gift combined. Hopefully all this research and advice will result in years of pursuing his love of woodworking. And maybe I'll get a pen out of it.
 
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