JET JWL-1236 12" Variable Speed Wood Lathe with Stand

I purchased this lathe about two months ago. It was my first lathe purchase, and I'm glad I bought it.

When I decided I wanted to add a lathe to my arsenal of shop toys, I spent a couple of weeks searching for advice and information. I am totally new to turning and did not know what to look for in a lathe. My first instinct was to buy a cheap Rand from Ebay, but I waited.

The first thing everyone told me when I asked for advice, was "buy a midi lathe and practice, then move up to a bigger lathe later when you find you need bigger." But being as stubborn as I am, I decided to buy a mid size and skip the small lathes.

After comparing prices, and reading opinions on Jet, Delta, and Grizzly, I decided to spend more money and go with the Jet. I heard to many bad things about the Delta so I eliminated it right off the bat. The deciding factor between the Jet and the Grizzly for me was the 1/4 horsepower more and the indexing feature on the head stock.

One of the features I really like about the Jet 1236 is the pivoting head stock for outboard turning. Although the weight of this machine is on the light side, so I would recommend bolting it to the floor or loading up the base with allot of extra weight. Or else you will be chasing it around your shop like a rodeo clown going after a brahma bull. After you get your blank rounded so it is a little better balanced the lathe will settle down. I love the variable speed for this reason. You can put it on the slowest speed until you get the blank in a better balance, then speed it up.

One of the features that sold me on this lathe is the ability to index the head stock. This is very helpful for putting flutes on a turned leg. With a simple jig made out of plywood, and a router, you can use the index pin to rotate the leg an equal degree for every flute. This saves a lot of brain ache from figuring out where the flutes have to be placed to come out equal to each other.

If I had one thing to change on this lathe, it would be a bigger motor. The 3/4 HP is nice, but I have had a few catches on the gouge that would stall the lathe a little too easy. I would also change the tool rest. I have heard of people snapping the main post on their tool rest. I have not yet, but when the tool gets out a little ways from center, I can feel the tool rest flex a little. If I had a bad catch with the tool away from the center of the tool holder I'm sure it would probably snap. So I would look for a more heavy duty tool rest for the lathe.

My general impression on the Jet-1236 is very good. It can be used for turning spindles as well as bowls. Being a novice at turning, I'm glad I bought the Jet-1236. It will do everything I want it to do for now. And it has made me enjoy turning more than if I had to fight the machine constantly. I am happy with my purchase!

Rob Smith 3/12/03

Update 1/1/04

I have recieved an email from a fellow Jet-1236 user, that you may find helpful.

He has found a source for the threading die needed to make fixtures for the female threads, 1/2-12-LH, on the left-hand side of the spindle.

"I have purchased a threading die:

#383-467, 1/2"-12tpi-LH-HSS-60deg-OD=1.5", $3.65
#377-752, 1.5" Die Holder, $2.60

from

Catalog SP03B
Grand Tool Supply Corporation
US Hwy 46 & Huyler Street
PO Box 2228
Teterboro, NJ 07606
201-342-6900"

Thanks, Al Daniel