Woodshop Nerds Unite

TEXASBGE2018

All my fellow woodshop nerds. Question on Midi Lathes. I'm looking at the Jet 1221VS with an extension bed. Would this be adequate in your opinion to actually turn 12"
bowls or even beefier table legs of say 3.5"-4" in diameter & 28"-36" L? Mostly I will use it for smaller stuff like pens with my son or smaller legs for coffee tables but want the ability to do the above mentioned if I want to without burning up the motor or destroying the bearings with regular occurrence.

TEXASBGE2018

I'm talking to you @RRP @nolaegghead @Botch @bubbajack

Botch

The one tool I don't have is a lathe (no space) so I must defer to the others.  

bubbajack

The lathe can be the most basic piece of equipment that one would need with just a few other hand tools for the purposes you have mentioned, but it can also be one of the most needed pieces if you are getting into, four poster beds, table legs, cabriole legs, bowl turnings, table top turnings, fishing plugs, ball and claw feet, knee carvings and such.

Most come with a 360  index head that makes carving ropes and stuff pretty easy, as well as reeding or fluting post.,

Variable speed and reversible  if at all possible.

One of the most satisfying tools in the wood shop....IMHO

I will be willing to help in any way I can.

nolaegghead

I have that lathe with the extension and it should do everything you want.  I'll snap a pic of some bigger things I cut.  You will need a new tool rest for big stuff.  I just welded something together.

nolaegghead

TEXASBGE2018

nolaegghead said:

I have that lathe with the extension and it should do everything you want.  I'll snap a pic of some bigger things I cut.  You will need a new tool rest for big stuff.  I just welded something together.

Cool, I really like the jet and the laguna 1216. I liked the fit and finish of the laguna a bit more and I like the fact that it has a bit beefier tool rest I think it's 1" vs 5/8" on the jet.

nolaegghead

The only thing I'm not sure of on the Jet mini lathe is the torque at low RPM.  If you're turning something with a big diameter that's asymmetric or the balance is off-center, you have to go slow so it doesn't self-destruct.  Obviously you won't cut as aggressively, but I don't know how much torque you lose at the slow speeds.  You can change the belt ratio to help with that.

I'm not by any means very experienced with lathes.  I play around and turn a part that I need for something else but I've never turned stuff just for itself.