May 12, 2025May 12 Hey all! Still just the new guy here, but I'm about to sink some serious (for me) cash into my shop. I'm looking at buying a big boy lathe, the ol 300 dollar central machinery guy isn't pulling it's weight. I'm in Ohio, close to Newark/ Zanesville...I know there's a few of you around here too. What do are your opinions on this? https://jettools.com/jwl-1840evs-18-x-40-wood-lathe What are you all running that compares? If someone has one, or close to it and wouldn't mind a show and tell, I can bring some green wood blanks for ya! Thank you!
May 12, 2025May 12 Welcome to the forum. I think our turning moderator (lew) uses a Jet lathe, maybe not that exact one....but close. He'll be along with some thoughts, I'm sure.
May 12, 2025May 12 I have the 16/40 version. My little shop isn’t wired for 3 phase. I love the lathe! The biggest bowl so far has been 15” so I’m not quite to the limit. The lathe handled it with ease.
May 13, 2025May 13 Author 3 hours ago, lew said: I have the 16/40 version. My little shop isn’t wired for 3 phase. I love the lathe! The biggest bowl so far has been 15” so I’m not quite to the limit. The lathe handled it with ease. Glad to hear it, this one said it's single phase I'm pretty sure. So you have the bed extension? If so, how is it?
May 13, 2025May 13 1 hour ago, BuckeyeHomestead said: Glad to hear it, this one said it's single phase I'm pretty sure. So you have the bed extension? If so, how is it? No, mine is the full length without the extension. Maybe I looked at the wrong one having 3 phase.
May 13, 2025May 13 Mine is a PM 3520B and uses 3 phase power. NOTE you will not have three phase in a home shop , that is industrial. The lathe has a inverter to convert 2 phase to 3 phase so if you have 220 or now called 240 you can use a 3 phase powered lathe. As to lathes our club has a JET 1642 and it is a solid lathe. The 1840 would be very close to the PM but a little lighter with a little less bells and whistles. However I do not hear from anyone owning one.
May 13, 2025May 13 7 hours ago, BuckeyeHomestead said: Glad to hear it, this one said it's single phase I'm pretty sure. So you have the bed extension? If so, how is it? That lathe is single phase, the 3 phase motor is powered by the VFD.
May 13, 2025May 13 5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said: That lathe is single phase, the 3 phase motor is powered by the VFD. Thanks, @Fred W. Hargis Jr
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