JET 16" x 40" EVS Woodworking Lathe (JWL-1640EVS)

My baby...I love it so much! I can't believe that I forgot to write a review on this lathe. I guess I have been too busy using it. I have always had a wood lathe of some sort or another since about 1980. I have had at least 5 others over the years, each more sketchy than the last until I got an old Delta from some High School wood shop. I thought I'd gone to heaven with that one until the Reeves drive failed after two years, just when I was really getting in to turning hollow forms. I am not a mechanic and have no idea how to replace the bearings on the drive so I bought this lathe instead and have never regretted it. I bought it just short of one year ago during last years Black Friday when it went on sale for $500.00 less. I have turned a fair number of bowls since I got it and recently have begun doing a bit of spindle turning too. I was initially concerned about having to change the belt frequently but because I mainly turn bowls, the lower speed range is all I have ever needed. I love that it will run at 40 rpm. It makes getting a good finish on my work much easier. The lathe is a good weight. It is quite heavy, but not impossible to slide around on a smooth concrete floor, when I need to get it out of the way, but it is heavy enough to handle a fair amount of imbalance in your work. I am sure there are better lathes out there but probably not for what I paid for my machine. Even though I use it regularly, I do not expect to ever have to replace it. Jet makes very good machines which have only gotten better over time. I am old enough to remember when they first came on the market in the '80s. In fact, the whole reason I remembered to write a review is because I was shopping for a bed extension. I am going to try making some walking sticks and need a little longer bed to do it. I am hoping the bed extension will go on sale this year. It is expensive... You need a dedicated 110/120 volt, 20 amp circuit for this lathe.

I had a Harbor Freight lathe. Now I have this Jet lathe. It's like going from a 1985 Ford Escort to a brand new Camaro. First, the good: -1.5 hp DC motor that runs on 120v. Smooth and extremely quiet. -Infinitely variable speed from 40 to 3200 rpm. I've gotten it down to 35 rpm and at 3200 it is so quiet I can listen to music on my Dot. -Reversible. Reverse sanding is a beautiful thing. -Heavy, solid construction and tool rest tighteners that just work. -Tailstock quill travel is a good 4 inches and the increments are laser etched on the quill. -Rotating head stock so you can do outboard turning. <--NEW MODELS NO LONGER HAVE THIS FEATURE. -Digital rpm readout. -Spindle lock. Yeah, I like this a lot. -Indexing. If you know what this is, you know you want it. -Live center can be used without the center pin. You knock it out with the knockout rod. Also comes with a cone live center that can be used without the cone. -Three inch reversible faceplate. -Side mount (on the leg) tool holder. Very convenient. Now the not so good: -Included faceplate is only 3 inches. Useful, but I long for maybe a 6 inch faceplate. -There are two speed ranges you switch between by moving the drive belt instead of a continuous range from low to high. This isn't as bad as it sounds. First range is 40 to 1200. Second range is 100 to 3200. So most of the time you spend on the second range. And moving the belt is EXTREMELY easy to do with the access door on the front of the headstock. Move a lever, open the door, move the belt, lower the lever, shut the door. No screw or latches. -This is HEAVY. 440 pounds in the crate, 375 pounds assembled. Best to have two manly men to put it together, but I was able to do it by myself. Yeah, I'm manly, but honestly, it can be done by one person if you follow the instructions. I expect to use this lathe for the next 25 years or so. I'll be 90 then. For now, this lathe has my Woodturning Seal of Approval.

It arrived 4 days early, tracking left a lot to be desired but it was nice it was delivered early. It set up easy with 2 men. I added castors for ease of moving when needed. It’s a very solid lathe. Runs smooth and did not pull down at all when turning a 12” bowl. I am very satisfied with no complaints. I would recommend this for a serious wood turner.

Jet 1640 - Five Stars: This is a great machine that will, hopefully, last a long time. Like other reviewers said, this thing is HEAVY but easy to setup. It only takes about 30 minutes with two people. Seller and shipping - Five stars: Spreetail is an excellent seller. They were very helpful with any and all questions and concerns. It was shipped freight with RL Carriers, they were excellent also. The delivery guy was courteous and kindly put it in the garage when I asked. The Lathe didn’t come with the cushion that sits on top of the headstock. I contacted Spreetail but they couldn’t order the part number; but made it right. I found the part on Jets website. I also put caster wheels on mine like another reviewer (thanks.) It rolls nice and smooth in my pegboard garage (came that way)

Nice lathe however I had to have electrician install a dedicated 20A line and use a Hospital Grade GFCI(see picture below, hospital grade is on the left).

I hope this will be my last lathe upgrade. I had the 12/21 Jet lathe, needed something larger. It arrived 1week early. Delivered via R&L and the driver did a great job unloading. NO damage. Another great product from Jet. It's very heavy, but it was assembled with 1 person (took about 2 hours). You will not regret this purchase. Runs like a dream. One thing to note, read all the directions. I only read how to assemble. Plugged it in and blew the GFCI. Cost $150 for electrician to come out for 45 minutes. He read over the manual. It says not to use with GFCI circuit. So I uses the second outlet for my dryer. Cost I didn't need to pay if I read the manual. I recommend this Jet lathe.