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New Lathe on the Way

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Hello turners, I have been busy in my shop lately re arranging everything for the new lathe I ordered. After weeks of looking and reviewing lathes that were in my budget range I decided on a Jet 1640EVS. I like what this lathe has to offer for the price. I'll soon at some point will turn larger bowls and platters that my midi lathe cannot handle. I like that the headstock slides and rotates for maximum versatility. Also, I like the new headstock design that allows you more room to work behind the face plate. The shipping weight is about 475 lbs. so it should be pretty stable when assembled.

I'll let you know what I think about the 1640 soon as I've spent some time behind it. Happy turning!
 
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Congrats on new lathe. The Jet has some really nice features. I recent upgraded from a PM 90 to a Laguna 18-36 and it is a big difference and really enjoyable turning on new equipment.
Thanks William and congrats on your new Laguna 18-36. That lathe has some very nice features also. It has good reviews. Enjoy and happy turning!
 
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Well turners my Jet lathe arrived at WC yesterday and and I got it home before hurricane Nate arrived. It has been windy and raining today and looks like rain tomorrow also. The lathe is in my truck in the garage so when it stops raining and Nate blows out of here I'll be able to set it up in my basement shop. Very excited and can't wait to set it up. I'll keep you informed! Happy turning.
 
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IMG_0169.JPG

After two days of off and on rain, I finely caught a dry spell, went out to the garage opened the shipping box, took the headstock,banjo, and tool rest off the bed and my wife and I (with help from a pair of hand trucks) moved the lathe piece by piece down to my basement shop. Man, is this thing heavy! All had I had time for this afternoon was to install the legs and level the bed. As promised couple of pictures attached. I really love this Jet lathe. The quality is top notch. Now to finish setting the lathe up and get to turning bowls! After a few weeks of use I'll do a mini review of the 1640. Happy turning!

IMG_0167.JPG
 
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Well I have finished setting up my jet 1640. After a few minor tweaks and adjustments it's all set and ready to go to work. I really like the RPM read out and the fact that I can rotate the headstock for larger bowls. Really going to enjoy this lathe. Happy turning!
 
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Congrats on the new lathe. I order my new lathe in the next couple of weeks. I'm curious as to the Black Friday deals that I'll find next week. (Come on, Powermatic, do me a favor!)
 
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Congrats on the new lathe. I order my new lathe in the next couple of weeks. I'm curious as to the Black Friday deals that I'll find next week. (Come on, Powermatic, do me a favor!)
Hi John, I know you'll really enjoy your new Powermatic! Very nice lathe indeed.;)
 

hockenbery

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@Lamar Wright, got to do a demo Wednesday on the new 1640. It is a sweet machine.

I would not mind using one of those a lot. You’re going to love it.
Really like the controls and the spring loaded spindle lock. Belt change is quick and easy.
Tailstock is really smooth.

Only minor nit I have is the banjo is a bit wider than I like and it has the same tool post lock as the original Powermatic 3520 and the Robust- 2 opposing nuts lock the tool rest in place. A super positive lock and a 1000 times better than the lock jet Powermatic was using. As long as you open the lock an extra turn and don’t bump or move the empty banjo the tool rest you want to use will slide in. However it is easy for the nuts to slide into the opening blocking the tool rest post entry until you put you push them out of the way with a finger and maybe open the lock.
Obviously this is something that only bothers an occasional user - opening it an extra turn would become automatic for owners.
 
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Bill Boehme

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.... Only minor nit I have is the banjo is a bit wider than I like and it has the same tool post lock as the original Powermatic 3520 and the Robust- 2 opposing nuts lock the tool rest in place. A super positive lock and a 1000 times better than the lock jet Powermatic was using. As long as you open the lock an extra turn and don’t bump or move the empty banjo the tool rest you want to use will slide in. However it is easy for the nuts to slide into the opening blocking the tool rest post entry until you put you push them out of the way with a finger and maybe open the lock.
Obviously this is something that only bothers an occasional user - opening it an extra turn would become automatic for owners.

My experience is that after a short period of getting the "feel" of using the wedge lock it's no longer a nit. There's no need to open the lock more than the minimum amount to unlock the tool post. Occasionally one of the wedges will move for one reason or another ... usually from bumping the lever. In that case I poke a finger down the post hole to clear the wedges out of the way.
 
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Nice set up Lamar. I have a similar dust collection set up on my Laguna 18-36, except I have a big gulp,for the hood. I also got one of those cheap 4" paint grids and cut it in half as I got tired of the dc sucking my sand paper into it and a few small finials I had to find in my 55 gallon dust bin. I alstroemerias added 280# of sand for extra weight between the legs.

image1.jpeg
 
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Some nice industrial design on it. Pity Jet is not available in Canada. Conflict on licensing of another Jet product line prevents the woodworking tools being sold here.
 
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Nice set up Lamar. I have a similar dust collection set up on my Laguna 18-36, except I have a big gulp,for the hood. I also got one of those cheap 4" paint grids and cut it in half as I got tired of the dc sucking my sand paper into it and a few small finials I had to find in my 55 gallon dust bin. I alstroemerias added 280# of sand for extra weight between the legs.

View attachment 23748
Great idea William about the paint grid. Mine has sucked a lot of sand paper also. I'll make one for my dust hood. Again, thanks for the tip.
 
Joined
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Great idea William about the paint grid. Mine has sucked a lot of sand paper also. I'll make one for my dust hood. Again, thanks for the tip.
When I first set up my dust collector and was testing it, I sucked my remote starter into the bin...

Thank goodness it went down the cyclone, rather than through the impeller vanes!
 
Joined
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When I first set up my dust collector and was testing it, I sucked my remote starter into the bin...

Thank goodness it went down the cyclone, rather than through the impeller vanes!
Hy... You were very lucky. I installed a piece of painters grate over my collection inlet like William did and no worry anymore of foreign objects getting sucked in.
 
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How is the vibration and power on the 1640 lathe? I’m tired of the vibrations and stalling on my delta midi lathe and I’m going to start looking into a bigger heavier one.
 
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