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Question on minimum speed

David Miller

David Miller

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33
Location
Central Florida
Question for the experienced turners... How important is a low minimum speed? I plan to turn some bowls (among other things) as large as the machine will handle. I am currently looking at the Jet 1442VSK. It fits my budget and other specifications except for minimum speed. 450 rpm seems high for trying to turn an unbalanced blank. Is my concern misplaced?
 
No, your concern is well-founded. Speeds slower than 450 rpm are very useful not only for rough-turning out of balance things, but for sanding. (I often power sand with the lathe running between 50 and 100 rpm.) If there's any way to fit it in the budget, I'd highly recommend getting a lathe with electronic variable speed. The extra cost may sting a little at first, but you'll smile every time you reach for that speed knob. ;) If that's just simply not possible, I'd recommend something like the Nova 1624-44, which at least goes down to 215 rpm. (Still a bit too fast IMO, but better than 450 rpm.)
 
Also a big fan of variable speed and low speed. I don't often turn much that's all that aggressive, but the ability to spin it up slow and then back off quick if get any wiggle sure is sweet.

Disclaimer: I have used neither of these so just tossing them up for comparison...

The other two lathes in the same ~ballpark price range/capabilities with variable speed that I know of are:

Rikon 16" X 42" Heavy Duty Lathe, Model 70-300
grizzly G0632 16" x 42" Variable Speed Wood Lathe

I "know" (vicariously through various online forums like this) a couple of people who have the Griz and say its pretty good except for some minor fit & finish issues in a couple of cases (the one case I'm thinking of there were some sharp edges left on the ways).

They're both basically Jet 1642 clones for the most part. Grizzly has an 18/47 for a couple hundred more which would be tempting to pinch into the penny jar to upgrade comparing the two.
 
Low speed is very important, as Vaughn and Ryan have said. If you expect to do much turning at all, you will want the ability to power sand at low speeds and those large unbalanced blanks will do crazy dangerous things at 450rpm. I can't recommend another lathe, but can tell you the one you are looking at is not for you.
 
While I turn on a Jet1442 and turn bowls up to 13+ inches, I do agree with Vaughn... a slower speed is much better if your blanks are out of balance.... a few months back I had a blank I thought was better balanced than it was. when I put it on the lathe and turned it on, even at 450 rpms, the lathe moved 6 inches before I could reach the off switch...and my lathe has a box across the bottom with 160 lbs of sand, plus a cabinet on top of the box that holds all my tools etc... if you make sure the blanks are pretty well balanced, you can start at 450, just be careful and play safe.
 
I agree with the low speed. I turn a lot of big out of balance pieces and generally start at 100 rpm and work my way up as it becomes more balanced. I use a Nova DVR XP and has 280 lbs of sand for ballast. I would think a Jet 1642, Nova 1624-44 or a Nova DVR would do everything you need if you are wanting to do large pieces.. My brother turns on a 1624-44 and he gets along fine with big pieces.
 
Nothing to add except to ditto the others on the importance of a low speed. Not just turning but sanding.
My Griz 0632 will go down to about 200-210. Specs say zero to 'gee-whiz'. But, really between zero and 210 it is still zero.
I was at a friends shop once and experienced a case of high speed out of balance. He is a professional turner, quite expert. His lathe is the Jet 1642. He put on a hunk of wood badly out of balance, very unusual for him. The lathe was on a high speed. When he turned it on I thought we both were going to be chewing cast iron. :eek: Wild to say the least. Thank goodness for the big red emergency cut-off button.
 
David, I turn on a similar lathe, grizzly G0462. It works great, but turning out of balance blanks or sanding at low speeds just can't be done. If you can swing a bit more $$ go for variable speed. I got the Griz from my dad when he upgraded to a Jet 1642 and he couldn't be happier. If you live anywhere near Carol...she has a nice one for sale!!
 
Thanks for the input. Guess I really knew the answer when I asked. I'll just have to pony up some more bucks. Carol, I'd love to deal with you but I am in central Florida. It would be a bit of a stretch.

Again, thanks for the answers. Hope y'all have patience. I'm probably going to have a lot more questions along the way. :)
 
Vaughn McMillan said:
No, your concern is well-founded. Speeds slower than 450 rpm are very useful not only for rough-turning out of balance things, but for sanding. (I often power sand with the lathe running between 50 and 100 rpm.) If there's any way to fit it in the budget, I'd highly recommend getting a lathe with electronic variable speed. The extra cost may sting a little at first, but you'll smile every time you reach for that speed knob. ;) If that's just simply not possible, I'd recommend something like the Nova 1624-44, which at least goes down to 215 rpm. (Still a bit too fast IMO, but better than 450 rpm.)
Click to expand...

The only thing I really hate about my Delta 46-460 is that the slowest speed is 250 rpm. I would really like to have it 200 rpm less making low speed 50. I got rid of my previous lathe for one reason...It did NOT have variable speed. Pay attention to Vaughn; he is one sharp cookie when it comes to lathes.

I am currently (thanks to Paul Gallian and Larry Merlau) turning the largest piece I have done. It was bandsawed from a crotch 22" across and 8 inches thick at the thickest part (approximately 70 pounds) down to 12.5 inch diameter (approx. 26 pounds). The center of the bowl is DEFINITELY NOT THE CENTER OF THE WEIGHT. I would have been happier starting roughing slower than the 250 rpm. After a bit of turning the weight balance was a bit better and the 250 rpm was OK. Add my advise to Vaughn's

I sand on the lathe and I apply finishes on the lathe. I would prefer slower. To me, the 1 hp motor is inadequate for a piece this size; it is fine for candle sticks, 7 inch bowls, pens, upsidedown cake holders, etc. However, with this larger piece, all I have to do is look at the turning tool and the motor slows down...sometimes coming to a halt (No the belt is not slipping). The lathe has an excellent belt/pulley system.

I agree with Vaughn, "...50 and 100 rpm.) If there's any way to fit it in the budget, I'd highly recommend getting a lathe with electronic variable speed." However, I feel much stronger about the variable speed; I would not purchase a lathe without it. I would save my pennies, give up any costly bad habits, moonlight, whatever it takes and then purchase my lathe with the electronic variable speed. I had a good lathe. I got rid of it because it did not have variable speed. If I purchase another lathe it will have to drop down to 50-60 rpm.

I hope you understand from the previous paragraph that I am not the least bit biased about a lathe's lower speed and having variable speed.

I wish you lots of luck and success with your new, lathe to be, toy.

Enjoy,

JimB
ps Now I will go on and read all of the posts after Vaughn's.
 
Thanks for both the welcome and your "blather". Y'alll have convinced me that I need to get electronic variable speed. Looking at the Jet 1642EVS now. More bucks but it will probably be cheaper than buying a lathe that is close to what I want and then selling it and buying one I want.

I am SO glad I asked and that you folks are so willing to share your knowledge.
 
Vaughn McMillan said:
No, your concern is well-founded. Speeds slower than 450 rpm are very useful not only for rough-turning out of balance things, but for sanding. (I often power sand with the lathe running between 50 and 100 rpm.) If there's any way to fit it in the budget, I'd highly recommend getting a lathe with electronic variable speed. The extra cost may sting a little at first, but you'll smile every time you reach for that speed knob. ;) If that's just simply not possible, I'd recommend something like the Nova 1624-44, which at least goes down to 215 rpm. (Still a bit too fast IMO, but better than 450 rpm.)
Click to expand...

Ditto, I could not say it better!:thumb:
 
David Miller said:
Thanks for both the welcome and your "blather". Y'alll have convinced me that I need to get electronic variable speed. Looking at the Jet 1642EVS now. More bucks but it will probably be cheaper than buying a lathe that is close to what I want and then selling it and buying one I want.

I am SO glad I asked and that you folks are so willing to share your knowledge.
Click to expand...

David,
The 1642 is an excellent lathe... my close friend has one and loves it... I looked when I was buying but opted for the 1442 for other reasons having to do with my shop layout.... I do regret not re-thinking the layout and going for the slightly bigger machine.... starting a zero speed is really a great advantage. I can do larger bowls, up to about 13 inches on my lathe, but the initial start up is risky and sometimes a little hair raising at the 450 minimum speed.
 
David Miller said:
...probably be cheaper than buying a lathe that is close to what I want and then selling it and buying one I want...
Click to expand...

That is one of the Golden Rules of tool purchases. One that a lot of us have learned the hard way. ;)

The 1642 is a real nice lathe. It's the (slightly) baby brother to my Powermatic 3520.
 
Well... I pulled the trigger yesterday. Called the local dealer and placed an order for the 1642. He will have one in Monday or Tuesday. Jet's 15% off sale starts Friday which was a very nice surprise. I don't usually get that lucky. The savings will be put to use on a new bowl gouge and a chuck. And that Wolverine system kinda looks useful...

I can't wait.
 
OK. Next firestorm. If you want a bowl gouge worthy of your new lathe, check out Thompson lathe bowl gouges. That also will be love at first use. Caveat: I do know Doug, and have several of his tools. And except for the first small gouge, I paid for all of them. You can't go wrong with the Wolverine system either. Good choice. And a discussion on chucks will open another widely diversified discussion.

http://www.thompsonlathetools.com/
 
As a 1442 owner, I know the feeling when flipping the switch on a big, out-of-round, piece at 450 rpm. Taught me to step aside at start up and to really think thru my options for holding pieces (ie. faceplate ) and using the tailstock for support.
 
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