Jet 1015 Review

Last updated on August 4th, 2022 at 09:32 pm

Overview

The JET 1015 is for you to have woodturning constantly under control. It is made from cast iron with an extra 13 cm wide lathe bed, ensuring high stability, minimal vibrations, and much better working support. 

The spindle has the standard M33 x 3,5mm thread and has an MK2 internal taper, mounted on massive bearings, and is driven by a belt through a sufficiently powerful engine. The tailstock also has a 9,5 cm bore, and the spindle has a 50 mm travel and is self-ejecting. 

The spindle has a 15° locking indexation. It is powered by a 370 W induction motor in 6 steps variable speed. The spindle speed is up to 400, 700, 1000, 1500, 2200, and 3300 rpm, by adjusting the belt position. The change is quick and easy thanks to lever belt releasing and quick release of pulley cover. All controllers are metal. 

Pros

• Stable
• Minimal vibrations 
• Powerful 
• Easy changing system
• Affordable 
• Precise
• Versatile

Cons

• Not for medium-sized work

Features

Feature	Value
Model Number	‎JWL-1015
Power Source	AC
Motor Power	0.37kW (0.5 HP)
Warranty	5 Years
Weight	77lb
Power Cord	H07RN-F
Tailstock spindle taper	MT2
Noise Emission when operating	LpA 76,5 dB(A)

Integrated 24 position indexing

An indexing wheel attached to the lathe spindle helps layout equally-spaced lines on a turning. The lines locate the feet on a vessel, the waves on a wavy-edged bowl or the elements of a geometric pattern to be carved or burned into the wood as noted by (Docgreenwoodturner.com). Most lathes have at least a limited indexing capability, which is not the case with Jet 1015.

Improved tensioning system 

The improved tensioning system comes with easier access to belts.  When a new lathe is delivered, the tensioning of the V-Belts is adjusted so that the belts have a very slight deflection as noted by (Lehigh-lathe.com). Tensioning of belt drives will make it possible for an extended drive life.

Wider bed ways 

These provide increased rigidity. Combination beds are used for precision and light-duty work, while flatbeds are for heavy-duty work. When installing a lathe, the first step is to level it, making sure the bed is not twisted or bowed.

Mounting lathe to stand/table 

The lathe must be mounted to the optional stand or a work table, using the four threaded holes in its base.

Tool rest 

The tool rest assembly allows adjustment for height, position on the bed, and angle to the work. Loosen locking handle on tool rest base to slide base forward or back, and angle it to the bed. Tighten the locking handle firmly before operating the lathe and loosen a small handle to raise or lower the tool rest. Angle it and tighten the handle before operating the lathe.

Tailstock 

Loosen locking lever and slide tailstock into position. Retighten the locking lever. Do not position the edge of the tailstock off the end of the bed, ending in less clamping surface and may increase the risk of injury. To remove the tailstock, loosen the lever and slide the tailstock off the end of the bed. Handle locks and unlocks tailstock quill. The handle is adjustable. 

To operate the handle,  lift on the handle and rotate it on the pin, then release, making sure it seats itself on the pin. Use the handwheel advances and retracts the quill. The quill is well advanced and fails to respond to handwheel rotation, push the quill toward the handwheel until it engages. 

The clamping system is already adjusted. If you cannot lock the tailstock in position, remove the tailstock from the bed, and turn it over. Adjust cam lock nut as needed.

Operating controls 

The lathe tool featured a speed dial. Rotate the dial to set the speed as RPM (revolutions per minute). Do not start the lathe at maximum speed with a workpiece mounted. Start at the lowest speed within that range and gradually increase to full speed. 

The Fwd/Rev switch has the Forward control, counterclockwise rotation of the spindle. It is the rotation for standard woodturning operations. The reverse is clockwise rotation, and the spindle direction can be changed without turning off the lathe. 

The On/off switch determines the start or end operation of the tool. Pull up to start the lathe, push down to stop. Remove the safety key to prevent unauthorized use of a lathe. Reinsert the key to start the lathe. If a power outage should occur during operation, the lathe will not immediately restart when power is resumed. 

Flip paddle switch off and then back on to start lathe. The Digital readout may display an error code if a malfunction occurs on the lathe. Emit the alarm signal if an error code is resolved. 

Faceplate

Faceplates are the simplest, most reliable method of holding wood for turning, although you can still use chucks. There are dozens of chucks to choose from, but as a woodturner consider all the different types of turning, and read reports or discuss with other turners who own chucks before making a decision. 

A chuck is handy when working on more than one piece at a time. Instead of removing screws, you open the chuck and change workpieces. The popular ones are four-jaw scroll chucks with jaws to accommodate different size tenons. Most also come with a screw chuck.

Specifications 

Variable Speed Model 

The Jet 1015 variable speed lathe has three speed ranges, controlled by the electronic variable speed dial and the belt position upon one of three pulley sets. 

Spindle speeds 

Jet 1015 has six spindle speeds: 500, 840, 1240, 1800, 2630, and 3975. What makes the lathe machine flexible enough to work on.

Cast iron bed construction 

The Jet tool comes with a solid iron cast structure. That is why it does not make a trembling sound right after turning up the speed in the middle of your work. The Jet 1015 has built-in legs attached to it, giving the lathe balance.

Verdict

The Jet 1015 is a choice for a woodturner looking for an affordable, user-friendly first lathe, advanced enthusiast, or professional who wants to add a full-featured mini-lathe to the shop. It is sturdy and runs smoothly. The mini-lathe has the power, precision, and versatility to turn out multiple projects. It is simple to operate and comes with quality construction. Utilize the tools and accessories to make full use of this machine, and that will cost at least the same or more than the lathe. Adjusting the belt and pulleys to change RPMs is quick and easy. It is up to you to utilize the value in this machine or look for another model that serves your interests better.

Resources and Documentation