| | |  | Mitutoyo | Home » » » JET 1220VS Mini Lathe | | | | | | | Description: | | Includes 12" X 20" Variable Speed Wood Lathe - 708376VS | | | Features: | |
• Continuously variable speed operation from 270-4200 RPM
• Heavy-duty cast iron lathe bed adds stability while limiting vibration during operation
• Indexing mechanism allows for fluting and veining operations
• Self-ejecting tailstock for safe and easy removal of tooling
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 39.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 11.0 inches | | Product Height:
| 15.5 inches | | Product Weight:
| 130.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 39.0 inches | | Package Width:
| 16.0 inches | | Package Height:
| 11.0 inches | | Package Weight:
| 130.0 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 7 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Great Little LatheJul 15, 2010
The packing box was pretty chewed up, on arrival, and I was nervous opening it, but the lathe was in great shape.
I set it up on the work bench, installed the head & tail stocks, brought them point-to-point and they were right on the money. The work bench is to high to use a lathe so I mounted it on a wheeled work stand, which brought the lathe to a perfect height for me to work without bending over.
I mounted a 2X2 block in the lathe, brought it up to about 1100 rpm and within five minutes I had the block smooth and round - only using my roughout gouge. Man this little thing is so smooth. I changed the belt and ran it up to top speed and had very little vibration. Once I moved it around a little on the not-very-smooth floor, even that went away.
I got the lathe during the latest Jet/Powermatic sale - and I had some point from my Amazon card so the price was terrific. But even at the full retail price, I would have bought this lathe.
These are first impressions - I'll check back in a few weeks/months to update this with any more pros or cons.
 DisappointingFeb 20, 2010
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?
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 JET 1220vs Mini LatheFeb 02, 2010
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
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Another Chinese LatheJan 29, 2010
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.
June 2010 update: I have continued to enjoy wood turning and highly recommend this hobby. After the somewhat problematic shakedown period, I haven't had any additional problems and this little Jet has allowed me to turn large (~11 1/2 inch) natural edge bowls, platters and many dry wood bowls and neat little boxes. This lathe will let you have lots of fun for a reasonable price.
4 of 7 found the following review helpful:
My First LatheSep 25, 2009
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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