Lathe Has the Power for Big Turnings

Jet’s new JWL-1440VSK Lathe has plenty of power for large bowl turnings as well as long, thick spindles. I did what I could to push the lathe’s 1-hp motor to its limits, testing its low-speed power and resistance to rocking under a heavy, unbalanced load. It took a lot to stall the motor. Aggressive cuts with spindle and bowl gouges were not a problem, and the lathe faltered only once, when I used a scraper near the rim of a 4-in.-thick by 12-in.-dia. bowl blank.

The lathe has a 141⁄2-in. swing and 40 in. between centers. At 12 in. long, the tool rest needs repositioning only a few times to turn a long spindle like a table leg. The headstock rotates for outboard turning, and slides to the tailstock end for bowl turning. An auxiliary tool rest for outboard turning is supplied.

The Jet is a variable-speed lathe, with a range from 400 to 3,000 rpm. Speed changes, controlled by a Reeves drive (an oldtime design), are made by turning a knob at the front of the headstock. The knob turned smoothly at high speeds, but felt tight and balky when slowing from 800 to 400 rpm. I found the speed dial hard to read, too. Overall, I’d prefer an electronic speed control. Nonetheless, at $1,600, including the cast-iron stand, the JWL-1440VSK is an economical lathe that performs well.

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