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New Lathe Day! Jet 1840 Has Landed!

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Now in the garage and unpacked from the crate. After I run a couple errands and let the AC do its thing, I'll head back to the garage and put all the pieces together.
There was a bit of frustration with delivery and two failed delivery appointments. Hopefully all will be smooth sailing now that it's in my garage and my control.

Ordered from Southern Tool On April 26th. Got notice on May 3rd that it had shipped. Since it was residential delivery, Estes freight turned it over to a last-mile delivery agent.
The attached picture tells a story of how things are done in North central NC. I'm in Martinsville, VA but the freight terminal is 50 miles S in Greensboro, NC. I'm glad the forecasted rain fizzled out. With the "open air" box truck, I'm sure the driver was also thankful for the inaccurate forecast.
 

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enjoy....freight company (old d__inion) did same thing even with local terminal .....
 

brian horais

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Congratulations Forrest! I know you will really enjoy the capabilities your new Jet 1840 lathe will provide. I remember well when my Jet 1642 lathe was delivered on a shipping crate in my driveway. The great thing about the Jet lathes is that the individual pieces can be moved without anything more than a garden cart and/or a dolly. I have moved my lathe long distances (between houses) a couple of times and am really thankful that it breaks down into parts that can be handled. This was one of the main features that sold me on the Jet 1642 lathe. Enjoy your new lathe!
 
Joined
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Congratulations Forrest! I know you will really enjoy the capabilities your new Jet 1840 lathe will provide. I remember well when my Jet 1642 lathe was delivered on a shipping crate in my driveway. The great thing about the Jet lathes is that the individual pieces can be moved without anything more than a garden cart and/or a dolly. I have moved my lathe long distances (between houses) a couple of times and am really thankful that it breaks down into parts that can be handled. This was one of the main features that sold me on the Jet 1642 lathe. Enjoy your new lathe!

Yup, I was a tad concerned I would have to find an assistant but it went together easily with just a couple saw horses to prop things up while I put in bolts.
 
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Now in the garage and unpacked from the crate. After I run a couple errands and let the AC do its thing, I'll head back to the garage and put all the pieces together.
There was a bit of frustration with delivery and two failed delivery appointments. Hopefully all will be smooth sailing now that it's in my garage and my control.

Ordered from Southern Tool On April 26th. Got notice on May 3rd that it had shipped. Since it was residential delivery, Estes freight turned it over to a last-mile delivery agent.
The attached picture tells a story of how things are done in North central NC. I'm in Martinsville, VA but the freight terminal is 50 miles S in Greensboro, NC. I'm glad the forecasted rain fizzled out. With the "open air" box truck, I'm sure the driver was also thankful for the inaccurate forecast.
Where the he@l did the roof go on that truck?
 
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Now in the garage and unpacked from the crate. After I run a couple errands and let the AC do its thing, I'll head back to the garage and put all the pieces together.
There was a bit of frustration with delivery and two failed delivery appointments. Hopefully all will be smooth sailing now that it's in my garage and my control.

Ordered from Southern Tool On April 26th. Got notice on May 3rd that it had shipped. Since it was residential delivery, Estes freight turned it over to a last-mile delivery agent.
The attached picture tells a story of how things are done in North central NC. I'm in Martinsville, VA but the freight terminal is 50 miles S in Greensboro, NC. I'm glad the forecasted rain fizzled out. With the "open air" box truck, I'm sure the driver was also thankful for the inaccurate forecast.
Congrats on your new Jet, I know you'll enjoy it. ;)
 
Joined
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Location
Martinsville, VA
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www.GrattanCreek.com
Well, one of those Murphy's Law things, in the week since I set up the new machine I haven't had as much time as I would like to use it. I've turned a couple 8-inch or so bowls and a handful of tops for this weekend's farmers market.
As much as it pained me to do it, since I haven't had time to prep anything from my green wood stash and I have a customer that needs more yarn bowls, I actually broke down and bought 18 bowl blanks that I will be turning over then next week. That should be a good test of the new machine.

What I can say is that coming from a Jet 1221SP and then a Nova 1624, the Jet 1840 is an entirely different class of machine.
In my opinion, the Jet 1221 is a better engineered and built machine than the larger Nova 1624, despite the larger swing of the 1624.
There is no comparison between the Nova 1624 and the Jet 1840. The Jet is absolutely worth more than double the price of the Nova.
The 1840 seems well thought out and well made. The head and tail stock alignment is almost perfect.

Why did I not start with a variable speed machine?? Speed it up to cut, slow it down to sand, speed it back up for friction finish, and no stopping for belt changes! Variable speed down to 40rpm is great and has already shown itself to be helpful for sanding and applying sanding sealer without just flinging it everywhere.

Realistically, in the context of the machines I've used, I don't think I can offer any kind of review that compares the 1840 to other machines in its class, like maybe a Laguna or Grizzly. As far as any dislikes on the 1840, the function of the tool rest banjo is still a bit clunky to me but I will get used to it and it will likely be improved by taking it apart, cleaning all the assembly oil out of it and giving it some slightly less sticky lube. I can't think of anything else yet that I can complain about.
 

hockenbery

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i have done few demos on the jet 1840. I like it a lot. Not sure what jet/powermatic is thinking with their pricing.
the powermatic 3520c is $2000 more than the jet 1840.
seems like a no brainer for most turners to buy the white one and take a couple classes at Arrowmont or Campbell with the savings,

the main advantage the powermatic has is more weight.
weight is Good it can be added to the 1840.
 
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Joined
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Why did I not start with a variable speed machine?? Speed it up to cut, slow it down to sand, speed it back up for friction finish, and no stopping for belt changes! Variable speed down to 40rpm is great and has already shown itself to be helpful for sanding and applying sanding sealer without just flinging it everywhere.
Aha you have just discovered the best law of woodturning. But your last lathe first!
 
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