Jet 708359 JWL-1642EVS, 16" x 42" EVS PRO Wood Lathe, 1-1/2HP  Product Reviews

"Have had my 1642 for about eight months now. During this time I have roughed about four hundred bowls and boxes and finished nearly one hundred. The most demand placed on the machine has been coring using the McNaughton/Kelton system. I manage to muck up the spindle thread during installation and had to opportunity to test the really outstanding service support for the machine from WMH Tool Group! I had help moving the disassembled machine from my driveway to my shop behind the house. A one ton chain hoist made machine assembly easy enough for a 72+ year old. Before doing any serious turning I added a sand box to the machine with seven bags of 'play sand' to help stabilize the machine. The machine was leveled with a precision machinist level. Initially I rejected the safety cage and left it hanging from the ceiling. While turning large winged bowls I was whacked in the hand more than once while reaching for the switch. Two adjustments were made to the machine, the safety cage was permanently installed on the machine and a safety kill switch was installed on the legs at the tailstock. Nearly all of my turnings start out very wet and badly out of balance. Adjustable cushioned machine mounts from ENCO have replaced the four adjustable feet to dampen vibration somewhat. While this machine is a huge step up from the fifteen inch Craftsman I had previously I regret that I failed to bite the bullet and buy the Powermatic 3520 with two horsepower. If one can find big wet wood, you need a big powerful lathe. In my case, the longest spindle turned has been shorter than the diameter of many of my bowls. The sliding head is likely my favorite feature. Most of my work is done on the last foot of the bed. The headstock is moved left only for hollowing using Kelton or Jamieson systems. The machine is outstanding for a 1 1/2HP sixteen inch swing machine. I regret only that I didn't step up to the 2HP twenty inch swing big brother from Powermatic."

"I have been having problems with my 1642 for the past 3 years. I have replaced all the bearing, spindle shaft and it still wont turn true. I have contacted the manufacturer and have gotten a run around every time I have called. When you are turning large bowls the 1-1/2 hp motor just cant handle it. If you are true craftmen and are doing accurate detail work I wouldn't sugesst buying the 1642. If you want quality customer service, do not buy the Jet 1642."

"If you are in the market for a HIGH QUALITY first rate lathe, this is it. More than a hobby lathe, this is a first rate production tool. I decided to try running it on 110 volts before changing over to 220, that was 3 months ago and I see no need to convert. The lathe easily turns a 15 inch by 10 inch thick WET cherry blank ( 52 lbs ) without a single slow down or problem. I invested several long days of research before ordering this lathe, and I would not ever consider anything other than a JET LATHE."

"I have only had this lathe for a few days, but I already know I'll be using it a lot more than I ever used old Craftsmen, and with considerably more pleasure. Having not had a lathe this sturdy with the smooth variable speed and power, I am pleasantly surprised at how much faster and easier it is to work down a turning. The height is excellent, the head and tailstock are well-designed, as are all the controls. Although the shipper was slow, it did arrive in great shape in one box on a sturdy wood base. I was able to set it up unassisted using saw horses and a cable lift under a heavy-duty 8' step ladder, but I would certainly recommend at least one helper. I did have an anxious moment or two when I first plugged it into my nearest 20A GFCI receptacle; it tripped it almost immediately, and it did the same thing on another GFCI. Suspecting it was related to the inverter/variable speed electronics, rather than a real problem, I plugged it into a regular 20A 115v circuit and it ran and continues to run just fine. My conversation with a Jet tech representative confirmed my suspicions. You may be surprised, as I was, that the lathe motor itself is actually 3 phase, 230 volts, and that a pretty sophisticated inverter/variable speed motor controller controls the whole setup with your more typical 1 phase, 115v input power. In summary I think this is a very good piece of equipment."