JET 1220VS Mini Lathe
List Price: $711.00 Our Price: $599.99 You Save: $111.01 (15.6%) | Availability: | Usually ships in 1 to 2 days (as of 5:26 AM CT - detail) |
Continuously variable speed operation from 270-4200 RPMHeavy-duty cast iron lathe bed adds stability while limiting vibration during operationIndexing mechanism allows for fluting and veining operationsSelf-ejecting tailstock for safe and easy removal of tooling
Product Description
The Jet JWL-1220VS Mini Lathe is an efficient tool for stabilizing and rotating wood pieces. Built for heavy-duty use, this mini lathe is ideal for sanding, shaping, and drilling operations using stock up to 12 inches in diameter and 20 inches in length. Featuring variable continuous speed operation, a self-ejecting tailstock, and a compact frame, this is a high-quality machine well-suited for small work spaces. | The JET JWL-1220VS
Mini Lathe offers:- A smooth, powerful 3/4 HP motor below the bed
- 24 spindle positions for versatility
- A speed range of 270 to 4200 RPM and an electronic speed control dial
- Self-ejecting tailstock for safe, easily removal of work pieces
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The mini lathe's efficient design is perfect for limited work spaces. View larger | 
Clear, user-friendly controls help you achieve precision results. |
Compact, Heavy-Duty Lathe for Small Shops
Whether you work in furniture repair or construction, the mini lathe is ideal for any woodworker wanting to tackle projects in a limited work space. The mini lathe's efficient design boasts a small 39 x 15-1/2 x 11-inch frame (LxHxW) that houses a smooth and powerful 3/4 HP motor. The motor is fitted below the bed, so it stays out of the way while providing easy front access for quick, tool-free belt tensioning.24-Position Indexing for Easy, Consistent Spacing
The wide-ranging spindle-position feature ensures that whether you're drilling or performing intricate operations such as fluting and veining, the process is done with superior accuracy and repeated spacing. The tough cast-iron lathe bed firmly stabilizes the stock, effectively limiting its vibration during operation. Plus, the spindle can be temporarily locked during use in any of the 24 positions, keeping your hands free to perform other operations such as detaching accessories. User-Friendly Details for Efficient Woodworking
The Jet JWL-1220VS is constructed with a hollow self-ejecting tailstock, so work pieces can be safely and easily removed. A detachable tip included on the live center allows for 3/8-inch hole-boring through stock. The tool comes with a built-in work light, allowing you to work more easily in poorly lit conditions. Employing premium six-step pulleys, the mini lathe provides a broad speed range of 270 to 4200 RPM that you can easily fine-tune to the appropriate setting with the included electronic speed control dial. The JET JWL-1220VS lathe is compatible with a huge range of common woodturning accessories, such as the standard #2 Morse taper, allowing you to use it with tools you already have. Plus, it comes equipped with several accessories of its own, including a four-wing spur drive and a pair of safety goggles. The JWL-1220VS is backed by a five year warranty. About JET: A History of Sharing New, Feature-Rich Products
Opened in 1958 after the founder of the company, Leslie P. Sussman, took the first Boeing Jet Airplane trip from Seattle, Washington to Japan, JET began as a small dealer that sold air hoists and trolleys out of a single hardware store in Seattle. Over the years, JET has carried everything from snowmobiles, transmitter radios, and forklifts to nylon stockings, but by the early 1970s, metalworking had become the base of their business line. And by the 1980s, JET had expanded into the realm of woodworking. Today, you'll find that JET offers a wide range of popular woodworking tools that are backed with best-in-class features and excellent service. What's in the Box
Jet JWL-1220VS Mini Lathe, four-wing spur drive, quality ball-bearing live center, knockout rod, 10-inch tool rest, 6-inch tool rest, 3-inch diameter faceplate, safety goggles
Spotlight Customer Reviews:
Comment:
i purchased this VS lathe after many hours using a 10" non variable speed jet. this was the cheapest price i found after comparing to other places. unfortunately, the customer service has been the pits- which i expected the service to be bad, but did not think i would NEED customer service! the tail stock started EATING my live centers.... i had to pound 2 out (obviously destroying both) and finally BOUGHT a new tail stock shaft and replaced the one that came with it. the original shaft had several tiny tiny burrs that caused this problem. i still have issues with it sticking as i unwind to disengage the center, but i love turning and don't want to fork out big bucks for a power matic. oh well- live learn, right?
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Summary:
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JET 1220vs Mini Lathe
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Comment:
After a lot of research and looking at mini lathe's I finally broke down and bought this one, and with no regrets, It is a fine lathe in all respects. Set-up was a breeze and the lathe performed seamlessly. Only one problem ,one of the rubber feet was smashed in shipping and needs to be replaced, had to rermove the others to level it out, very minor, other wise great,.
B. Tomblin Wv
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Summary:
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Another Chinese Lathe
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Comment:
I have been using my 1220VS for nearly a year and have noticed several disappointing shortcomings. First the electronic speed control is marginal. I'm on my third on-off switch (when they fail you can't turn the lathe off which is dangerous), the latch will not hold the control box in place and the lathe speeds up uncontrollably at times under heavy load. Note that you still have to change belt positions for a wide range of speed. The belt change is fast and easy.
Secondly the lever tighting screw used to hold the tool rest in place has a short lever and will not hold the rest securely. The internal splines strip if you use something to increase your leverage. A proper adjustable tension lever like the KIPP is a major inprovement, but will set you back $21 (Grainger PN 3GKG5).
Finally the adjustable neck on the light is too short making the light useless for anything other than simple spindle work or the exterior of a bowl.
The knockout rod knob broke because it is cheap plastic and had bottomed out when screwed on the rod - the top just popped off. Is this a terrible product? No; it is very usable for a first lathe for the hobbiest. What this is - is a typical, cost compeditive, Chinese lathe. If you can buy a Chinese lathe with another label for a cheaper price, you might want to consider it. On the plus side Jet customer service is very helpful and supportive and will send you new switches, at no cost, as fast as you can burn them up.
Comment:
I got my JET JWL-1220VS on 09/02/09. CEVA Logistics was very accommodating is setting up a delivery time and they arrived promply at 08:55 AM.
The 1220 is well-built and well-aligned. In 2 hours I had it assembled and
running.
I made a lathe stand from structural lumber and plywood. The lathe stand is perfect for the tool and rock solid. The stand is 36x20x36 and made of 2×4s, 2×3s, and a top of ¾" plywood. I used 3 ½" and 4" deck screws to put it together.
I actually sent for the follow accessories at the same time as the lathe:
1" x 8 TPI Self-Centering 4-Jaw Chuck
Drive Center Set for #2MT Lathes
1/2" Drill Chuck #2MT8
Benjamin's Best HSS Lathe Chisel Set
All of these accessories work well with the JET 1220
I had a 2×2 x 12 blank cut from an old surplus piece of wood. Using a roughing gouge, I seemed to get the basics of rounding the blank down quickly. Being a total turning novice, I was happy to see that I could do a simple operation without much trouble.
When I was researching lathes, I got The Lathe Book by
Eddie Conover and Learn to Turn by Barry Gross. These are
both basic, but are good to learn about the lathe and the available
accessories.
A very useful chart of available lathes (119) is at Turner's Corner (http://www.nealaddy.org/pub/Lathe_List.html).
I'm going to get the complete Ruffin collection of books and DVDs.
Also, Norm Abrams Lathe 101.
A turner also recomended DVDs by Bill Grumbine and Jimmy Clews.
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Summary:
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Great Lathe - Poor Frame Workmenship
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Comment:
I purchased the 1220VS lathe in early Jan. 2009, and I've used it for several hundred hours since then.
I believe that this is the best lathe of its type on the market today!
I did lots of researching and testing before buying the Jet.
Pros: Solid construction - smooth vibration free operation - plenty of power for size of lathe - work light is helpful and well placed - extension bed and stand easy to assemble and heavy duty.
Cons: Poor craftsmanship on bed of lathe for a "Jet" named product (has many very sharp corners and pieces that should have been filed off at the factory) - poor quality "on / off variable speed control box" (plastic box that won't remain closed when lathe is operating). I've tried adjusting metal friction latch with no success, so I "duct taped" it in the closed position {:<(} - "On / Off switch" quit after a few hours of work. Phoned customer support (spoke with a good experienced tech) and they sent another that arrived within 48 hours, that I installed with little effort.
Summary: Highly recommend this lathe to any beginner or intermediate experienced turner. Just be careful of the sharp edges on the lathe bed. Maybe mine, just slipped by the "quality control check" at their lunch break. ! {:<|} ?
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