[Dave Paine]

We all make our own decisions on what we have to spend and what we will purchase.

I recently cleaned up a Craftsman Mono-tube lathe which a friend was giving to another friend. The original owner friend wanted to upgrade to a NOVA DVR lathe after decades of using the Craftsman.

Since I was cleaning up the machine, I was able to see the details of construction and handle the machine. The small handles would frustrate me.

The original owner said the lathe vibrated a lot. I think some of these was the pulley's having moved on the shafts. I removed then and re-set. The machine ran smoothly and without much noise. I did not try turning.

I have a new found respect for all the nice projects that have been created with the Craftsman Mono-tube lathes, but this is not a machine I would recommend.

There were a lot of the Craftsman Mono-tube lathes sold, so they do turn up on eBay and Craigs List. They are inexpensive.

I have seen videos of people using foot/human powered lathes. It is possible to make some really nice pieces on the crudest of equipment. It is just a personal decision on how much you want to spend for a desired feature set.

 

[oldmacnut]

ive got one of the craftsman mono tube style ones if someone wants to buy it ill make them a deal

Parts...oh I need parts. Especially if I need to live with this thing for a while longer...lol

I've got a craftsman mono-tube made in 1978. It's not pretty and sure not the nicest but it does everything I want it to. I like a little nostalgia anyway. I have a friend that has a brand new nova, for what it is and what it can do vs what I can do on my mono-tube...it's not worth the extra $1500.

Mono tube owners UNITE! lol

We all make our own decisions on what we have to spend and what we will purchase.

I recently cleaned up a Craftsman Mono-tube lathe which a friend was giving to another friend. The original owner friend wanted to upgrade to a NOVA DVR lathe after decades of using the Craftsman.

Since I was cleaning up the machine, I was able to see the details of construction and handle the machine. The small handles would frustrate me.

The original owner said the lathe vibrated a lot. I think some of these was the pulley's having moved on the shafts. I removed then and re-set. The machine ran smoothly and without much noise. I did not try turning.

I have a new found respect for all the nice projects that have been created with the Craftsman Mono-tube lathes, but this is not a machine I would recommend.

There were a lot of the Craftsman Mono-tube lathes sold, so they do turn up on eBay and Craigs List. They are inexpensive.

I have seen videos of people using foot/human powered lathes. It is possible to make some really nice pieces on the crudest of equipment. It is just a personal decision on how much you want to spend for a desired feature set.

I had vibration issues at first, but after putting the new motor on, and a new belt, this thing does not hesitate to spin big heavy material. Off balance material will of course shake the lathe table, but in the end it is what it is, an old mono tube lathe and I do my best with it.

I like many others started with certain tools that needed work first, my first table saw was an old Delta tilting table top saw that I spent 2 months restoring, only to buy a brand new Ridgid R4512, I spent my money down the road on my Rikon bandsaw, a tool I could never do without.

 

[chriskoww]

camelcamelcamel

Fboyles. Camelcamelcamel is one of the best internet sites I've seen in a while. Thanks!

So i looked up the history of prices on camel camel camel thanks to Fboyles, and found out that the NOVA lathes never go on sale.

So since that's the case, im switching to the JET 708352 JWL-1236. It only has 3/4 HP which i don't like, but its big and affordable. This lathe was under 800 dollars in Feb 2012!

S I am going to continue putting money in my amazon account, tag 5-6 lathes on camelcamelcamel, and pounce when one goes on sale.

Perfect!

(Other tagged lathes: JET 708358K, Nova 24146, Shopfox W1758,)
**The NOVA DVR is the lowest it has ever been on Amazon, down to 1,800 from 2,300. Still too much for me but if anyone else wants to check it out.....

 

[duncsuss]

So since that's the case, im switching to the JET 708352 JWL-1236. It only has 3/4 HP which i don't like, but its big and affordable. This lathe was under 800 dollars in Feb 2012!

Compare the Jet to THIS lathe from Harbor Freight. Notice any similarities?

I've been using the HF for nearly 2 yrs. I bought it for less than $200 using the "25% off any single item" New Years Day coupon. Adequate? Yes. Great? No.

If you're going to spend $800 on a lathe, get one that (a) has more power and (b) doesn't have a Reeve's drive.

IMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[ChiknNutz]

That HF lathe has a 3/4 HP motor, are you saying that it isn't enough? If not, could be just that particular motor isn't all that good, not that 3/4 HP isn't enough. Also, can you explain more about what a "Reeve's Drive" is and what is not good about it? I have been looking to maybe get that HF 12" lathe, so am curious. Thanks!

 

[Dave Paine]

T
Also, can you explain more about what a "Reeve's Drive" is and what is not good about it?

A Reeve's drive is a mechanical method of varying the speed of a lathe.

I found this YouTube video which may explain better than words.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8ExzaUq5GI

Lot's of lathe's have Reeve's drive. One aspect of the design is that the speed can only be changed while the lathe is running.

So if you were turning at a high speed, and later mounted another piece which was out of balance and needed a slower speed, you would have to turn on the lathe at the high speed in order to adjust - not very safe. So you would need to start the lathe without the piece, adjust the speed and then mount the piece.

 

[duncsuss]

That HF lathe has a 3/4 HP motor, are you saying that it isn't enough?

That's exactly what I'm saying; 3/4HP is not enough if you want to turn a bowl approaching the 12" maximum. It'll maybe suffice for a platter, but it bogs down on a 10" diameter x 6" deep blank of green maple.

Oh, I also forgot, reason (c) the slowest speed is not slow enough if you want to turn big blanks that are off-balance.

Also, can you explain more about what a "Reeve's Drive" is and what is not good about it?

A Reeve's Drive is a mechanical speed adjuster that works using two inter-locking conical wheels. When you move the handle, the cones move on the common shaft, effectively changing the diameter of the pulley wheel the drive belt encircles.

You can only change speed when the motor is running (unlike a variable speed motor). To me, that's the biggest drawback -- if I forget to lower the speed before mounting a big bowl blank, I have to remove the blank so I can power it up safely and slow it down.

I'm NOT saying "don't buy the HF version for $200" -- I'm saying "don't pay $800 for the Jet version, for that much money you should get a much better lathe".

HTH

 

[cuerodoc]

I have the HF lathe -- got it as starter and it did ok for smaller stuff. + 1 on it bogging down with bigger pieces. Motor will spin'em but when you go to work them-- just no oomph.
BTW mine's for sale-- just the HF.

 

[fboyles]

This is tempting but I'm only wanting a midi

$500 Jet - JWL 1642 EVS 16 x 42" Pro wood lathe. Hardly used, fantastic condition. If needed have cutting tools. Call Doug 713-494-9290
Houston Craigslist.

 

[Shop Dad]

This is tempting but I'm only wanting a midi

$500 Jet - JWL 1642 EVS 16 x 42" Pro wood lathe. Hardly used, fantastic condition. If needed have cutting tools. Call Doug 713-494-9290
Houston Craigslist.

That's an awesome deal! Go get it and turn some bowls!

 

[ChiknNutz]

Yes, seems like a good deal alright, but too far for me to travel (+/- 2375 miles)

 

[chriskoww]

Ok I thought I would share my lathe selection. So i saved up 300 plus dollars in my amazon account and was about to purchase the delta midi lathe after I sold my weight bench.

Well....I went to woodcraft today with the wife to look at dye colors and they had one more nova lathe on sale for 899. I got it with the understanding she is going to be pissed at me for a week or two.

Worth it

 

[robert421960]

congrats on your new lathe:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Shop Dad]

Most excellent score. :clap:


...and yes BTDT, worth it. :thumbsup:

 

[robert421960]

This is tempting but I'm only wanting a midi

$500 Jet - JWL 1642 EVS 16 x 42" Pro wood lathe. Hardly used, fantastic condition. If needed have cutting tools. Call Doug 713-494-9290
Houston Craigslist.

so i thought what the heck ill call about this lathe. i mean for that price i could ship it to ky and still have a good deal
well its a jet 1236 lol he said he didnt know there was really a difference lol :no::no::no::no:

 

[fboyles]

so i thought what the heck ill call about this lathe. i mean for that price i could ship it to ky and still have a good deal
well its a jet 1236 lol he said he didnt know there was really a difference lol :no::no::no::no:

I also called and did he tell you all about how he was bitten by a Mosquito with West Nile? Very sad but lucky to be alive.

 

[robert421960]

I also called and did he tell you all about how he was bitten by a Mosquito with West Nile? Very sad but lucky to be alive.

well he told me hes was stung by one:laughing::laughing::laughing: