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I didn't have much experience or training in wood turning but after buying a few books and a video by Nick Cook I really got into it and my wife is running out of room for my "creations". It runs quite, vibration free and the speed control is a dream come true. When I first turned it on I couldn't believe how quiet it was.
After I retired I wanted to get into turning bowls as a hobby so I wanted to replace my old lathe. Of course I needed help lifting the heavy pieces, but then again the weight of the lathe is one of it's good features. I had an old Craftsman lathe that I had bought used for turning rungs and spindles for occasional furniture repair.
Everything lined up and fit perfectly. I've had this lathe for over a year and I have not regretted buying this lathe and even enjoy bragging rights when my friend comes over to turn on my lathe and then goes home and uses his lathe just for sanding. After much research and the fact that I had bought other Jet tools and was impressed with them, I bought this Jet lathe.
The set up was easy even for an old guy.
It's robust and quite, the tool rest and tail stock glide across the ways with no effort.Putting it together was easy, but you should have someone help you when lifting the motor and head stock.Vince This 1642 lathe is the best machine in my shop.
I love this unit, it has all of the things I wanted. They unloaded the lathe and put it just 4 feet from where I assemebled it. Everything was as promised.on time and in excellent condition. Actually the delivery was faster than promised.
Have had my 1642 for about eight months now. While turning large winged bowls I was whacked in the hand more than once while reaching for the switch. The most demand placed on the machine has been coring using the McNaughton/Kelton system.I manage to muck up the spindle thread during installation and had to opportunity to test the really outstanding service support for the machine from WMH Tool Group.I had help moving the disassembled machine from my driveway to my shop behind the house. The machine was leveled with a precision machinist level.
Most of my work is done on the last foot of the bed. Two adjustments were made to the machine, the safety cage was permanently installed on the machine and a safety kill switch was installed on the legs at the tailstock.Nearly all of my turnings start out very wet and badly out of balance. If one can find big wet wood, you need a big powerful lathe. The headstock is moved left only for hollowing using Kelton or Jamieson systems.The machine is outstanding for a 1 1/2HP sixteen inch swing machine. In my case, the longest spindle turned has been shorter than the diameter of many of my bowls.The sliding head is likely my favorite feature. During this time I have roughed about four hundred bowls and boxes and finished nearly one hundred.
Adjustable cushioned machine mounts from ENCO have replaced the four adjustable feet to dampen vibration somewhat.While this machine is a huge step up from the fifteen inch Craftsman I had previously I regret that I failed to bite the bullet and buy the Powermatic 3520 with two horsepower. I regret only that I didn't step up to the 2HP twenty inch swing big brother from Powermatic. A one ton chain hoist made machine assembly easy enough for a 72+ year old.Before doing any serious turning I added a sand box to the machine with seven bags of 'play sand' to help stabilize the machine. Initially I rejected the safety cage and left it hanging from the ceiling.
When you are turning large bowls the 1-1/2 hp motor just cant handle it. I have been having problems with my 1642 for the past 3 years. If you want quality customer service, do not buy the Jet 1642. If you are true craftmen and are doing accurate detail work I wouldn't sugesst buying the 1642. I have replaced all the bearing, spindle shaft and it still wont turn true. I have contacted the manufacturer and have gotten a run around every time I have called.
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