Marty Walsh
Member
- Messages
- 1,396
- Location
- Southern Georgia
IT'S FOR DENISE...IT'S FOR DENISE... That's what I kept repeating as I was driving to pick it up yesterday.
"I don't have time for a lathe. This is Denise's. I don't have time for a lathe. This is Denise's."
By the time it was in the back of the car and I was headed home, I almost had myself convinced...
So here it is, DENISE'S new tool:
..........
It's the new Jet JWL-1220...a Jet Mini on steriods. It's got a slightly larger capacity, 12" x 20" instead of the 10" x 14" of the regular mini. It also has a 3/4hp motor, instead of the 1/2hp motor of the regular mini. No variable speed, but as easy as it is to change pully positions, I don't think that will pose a problem. It also came with a 6" and a 10" tool rest, as well as a nice (cheap but better than nothing) goose-neck lamp built-in...too bad it can only accept up to a 40 watt bulb
The best part is that I found a vendor willing to part with it for less than the cost of the regular VS mini....under $300!
Ok, so now that I've convinced myself that it's FOR DENISE, the real back story is that one of my clients has put in an order for five pen and pencil sets. I figured I "could" have turned them on the ShopSmith, like I have all the pens I've turned in the past. But...Denise has wanted a 'real' lathe since I gave her a quick-n-dirty turning lesson on the SS way back in Virginia.
I figure the pen/pencil sets should bring in enough to cover the cost of the lathe. I already have turning tools. And now Denise can play with a 'real' lathe (albeit a small one) to decide if it's something she likes enough to justify a REAL lathe. (She was 'helping' me shop...and kept mentioning things like Oneway, Robust, Powermatic. )
Ok, now for some questions.
First order of business...to help offset the cost of the lathe...is what I need to get turning those pen/pencil sets. As I said, I've turned plenty of pens in the past. But I used the ShopSmith. That means the first thing I'll need is a mandrel. Given how things mount on the SS, there was only one choice. Take it or leave it. And unfortunately, that mandrel won't work on any other machine, so it's useless for DENISE'S lathe. rolleyes
The Jet, however, can accept at least three different types that I've seen on various sites: A #2 Morse taper mandrel, a 1" x 8 screw on mandrel, and a straight mandrel that fits into a drill chuck which fits in the #2 taper.
I'm leaning towards the #2 Morse taper, since that's a tried and true mounting method. But, so are threads...
So, given that the price is identical for all three options, what do folks here prefer...?
Second, since I know Denise is gonna want to turn more substantial stuff than pens, I want to get her a chuck. Is Nova still "the chuck", or are there other brands on par or better than the Nova? And what about the slew of options that are available? Can any of you reccommend a good 'starter' setup...brand and options...?
I'm pretty certain you spinny folks will be hearing more and more from Denise in the near future. So I'll leave it at just these two questions. Your advice and assistance would be greatly appreciated.
It's FOR DENISE. It's FOR DENISE. I don't have time for a lathe. Its' FOR DENISE!
Thanks...
- Marty -
"I don't have time for a lathe. This is Denise's. I don't have time for a lathe. This is Denise's."
By the time it was in the back of the car and I was headed home, I almost had myself convinced...
So here it is, DENISE'S new tool:
..........
It's the new Jet JWL-1220...a Jet Mini on steriods. It's got a slightly larger capacity, 12" x 20" instead of the 10" x 14" of the regular mini. It also has a 3/4hp motor, instead of the 1/2hp motor of the regular mini. No variable speed, but as easy as it is to change pully positions, I don't think that will pose a problem. It also came with a 6" and a 10" tool rest, as well as a nice (cheap but better than nothing) goose-neck lamp built-in...too bad it can only accept up to a 40 watt bulb
The best part is that I found a vendor willing to part with it for less than the cost of the regular VS mini....under $300!
Ok, so now that I've convinced myself that it's FOR DENISE, the real back story is that one of my clients has put in an order for five pen and pencil sets. I figured I "could" have turned them on the ShopSmith, like I have all the pens I've turned in the past. But...Denise has wanted a 'real' lathe since I gave her a quick-n-dirty turning lesson on the SS way back in Virginia.
I figure the pen/pencil sets should bring in enough to cover the cost of the lathe. I already have turning tools. And now Denise can play with a 'real' lathe (albeit a small one) to decide if it's something she likes enough to justify a REAL lathe. (She was 'helping' me shop...and kept mentioning things like Oneway, Robust, Powermatic. )
Ok, now for some questions.
First order of business...to help offset the cost of the lathe...is what I need to get turning those pen/pencil sets. As I said, I've turned plenty of pens in the past. But I used the ShopSmith. That means the first thing I'll need is a mandrel. Given how things mount on the SS, there was only one choice. Take it or leave it. And unfortunately, that mandrel won't work on any other machine, so it's useless for DENISE'S lathe. rolleyes
The Jet, however, can accept at least three different types that I've seen on various sites: A #2 Morse taper mandrel, a 1" x 8 screw on mandrel, and a straight mandrel that fits into a drill chuck which fits in the #2 taper.
I'm leaning towards the #2 Morse taper, since that's a tried and true mounting method. But, so are threads...
So, given that the price is identical for all three options, what do folks here prefer...?
Second, since I know Denise is gonna want to turn more substantial stuff than pens, I want to get her a chuck. Is Nova still "the chuck", or are there other brands on par or better than the Nova? And what about the slew of options that are available? Can any of you reccommend a good 'starter' setup...brand and options...?
I'm pretty certain you spinny folks will be hearing more and more from Denise in the near future. So I'll leave it at just these two questions. Your advice and assistance would be greatly appreciated.
It's FOR DENISE. It's FOR DENISE. I don't have time for a lathe. Its' FOR DENISE!
Thanks...
- Marty -