Ooooh look. New lathe!

Many will know that the Jet I bought last year has been giving me trouble ever since, so finally Brimarc, with considerable assistance from Dave at Turners Retreat from whom I bought it, have agreed to take it back, and I'm glad to see the back of it.

Sadly Turners Retreat don't have anything similar to replace it with so I've ended up getting an Axminster 1416, which I spent Sunday afternoon setting up after dismantling the Jet - and it's lovely! Quiet as a mouse, nice smooth operation, and best of all it takes my old trusty tool rest from my big Myford, instead of the horrible little rough tool rests that seem to come with small lathes these days.

I know, I know - it didn't happen without the piccies. Here it is, and that's my Myford tool rest on it.

Looks great, I've been trying to decide between a Jet or Axi Trade series, but leaning towards an Axi. Which Jet did you have and what were the issues with it? Let us know how you find this one!

I've got one of those, bought about a year ago when it was on special offer. The 14" swing is very handy for a small lathe.

Great - glad you've got this sorted now, Phil. Have fun with it!

Very nice enjoy

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I've got one and it runs like a dream, you won't be at all disappointed with it Phil - just wished I used mine more

Glad you finally got it sorted Phil. An interesting take from it is that we both had problems with the same Jet 1015VS (iirc) and both ended up with the Axi 1416VS, lovely bit of kit isn't it!

Was it a Jet 1015vs that Phil had the problems with? I heard that they'd been withdrawn from sale because of issues, so I'm assuming there was a widespread problem?

My comparison over here would be with a Vicmarc VL150 for around 500 pounds plus Variable speed control and motor for about 250 pounds.

Peter.

fingwe said:

Was it a Jet 1015vs that Phil had the problems with? I heard that they'd been withdrawn from sale because of issues, so I'm assuming there was a widespread problem?

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Took me a minute to dig up the old thread: http://www.penturners.co.uk/tools-equipment-and-accessories/18476-axminster-jet-lathe.html

Mine went back to Axminster due to misalignment, then there were a few months of toing and froing with a problem getting the replacement sent out because a hold had been put on their entire stock due to motor related issues. In the end I got them to refund it along with the stand and knock a little off an upgrade to the Axi 1416VS. I'm not an expert but the quality of the Axi is significantly better than the Jet in my limited opinion.

Enjoy your new lathe Phil.

I've got the Axminster 1628VS lathe and I think it's great and I'm sure you won't be disappointed with yours Phil.

My Jet was aligned just fine - no problems in that regard. My issue was that the motor speed kept changing for no apparent reason. Brimarc cast me adrift for an unreasonable length of time, then when I hassled them a new set of motor brushes arrived in the post with no explanation. Turners Retreat were extremely helpful in kicking arse on my behalf and when I got to the bottom of it, Brimarc assured me that once I'd fitted the new brushes the problem would go away. In fact the new brushes altered the whole character of the lathe completely, the noise level went through the roof and the speed hunting got ten times worse, to the point that with a bit of warmth in the motor it just gradually came to almost a standstill.

My first impressions of the Axminster are very good indeed. I've not had an opportunity to turn anything on it yet - that will be corrected big time tomorrow, but just playing around with it yesterday I was very pleased.

Shame about the Jet really - the name has a good reputation and I've got other Jet machinery in my workshop. Had it worked properly the spec would have suited me well as a second lathe. Not to be though, and although it went a bit against the grain (Brimarc and Axminster are one and the same company when you scratch beneath the surface), I couldn't find a credible alternative to the Jet other than a trade Axi, even though I'm pretty certain the two badges come from the same factory.

Time will tell - if it's still going strong in a few years time I'll know I made the right decision, but I will certainly come back and post here in a few days time once I've got a bit more intimate with it. Other people are very pleased with theirs though I notice, which is always a good sign. I have high hopes.

I was thinking of buying a larger more versatile lathe this autumn and a Jet was a possibility, but it has now been crossed off the list. Let us know how you get on with the Axminster because that is now a likely contender for my next purchase.

Congrats on your new lathe.

My Jet lathe has given me faultless service so far and my previous Axi hobby lathe nothing but trouble and that had a brush type motor. My Jet has an induction motor. I was always very doubtful about brush type motors on a lathe and your experience, Phil, backs up my doubts.


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Bob Ellis said:

I was thinking of buying a larger more versatile lathe this autumn and a Jet was a possibility, but it has now been crossed off the list. Let us know how you get on with the Axminster because that is now a likely contender for my next purchase.

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rayf6604 said:

My Jet lathe has given me faultless service so far and my previous Axi hobby lathe nothing but trouble and that had a brush type motor. My Jet has an induction motor. I was always very doubtful about brush type motors on a lathe and your experience, Phil, backs up my doubts.

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In fairness to Jet, I think it is only the 1015VS that has had the problem. Other models seem fine as far as I'm aware. I know that Petrol Pete bought a Jet 1221VS at a similar time to my Jet purchase, and he has been extremely pleased with his choice.

My universal complaint with all these small lathes though, seemingly irrespective of the make, is the horrible tools rests they supply with them. Why is it that manufacturers think that a 6 inch tool rest which is rough cast exactly where you put your index finger, is a suitable inclusion? The roughness is a deliberate feature which serves only to make your finger sore after 3 or 4 hours of parallel turning, and it wouldn't cost any more or less to cast it smooth. Nor would it cost a great deal more to make it 9 inches long, which might then be useful to anyone who wants to turn the full length of a pen mandrel. I know the answer to the second question - so we all go out a buy a longer tool rest, but even then, they are either round or still rough. Come on lathe manufacturers and accessory manufacturers. Start designing your tools rests for woodturners, not for accountants.

Congrats on your new toy Phil.

Nice machine, probably my favourite lathe in that size/price range.