The Jet 1015 is one of the best mini-lathes on the market. Being easy to use makes it perfect for beginners. It’s affordable and does not use much energy working on something small that does not need a large lathe. If you are still undecided and wondering whether to buy the JWL-1015 or not, this post will help you. We will look at its features and the good and not so good aspects.
Space is a rare luxury these days, and most of us can’t afford it, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fulfill our desires. A mini lathe could be the best solution for small woodturning projects like pen turning.
You can do a lot with this small lathe, such as turning bowls, bottle caps, sofa legs, chair spindles, and hollow vessels, to name a few.
| Brand | Jet |
| Model Number | JWL-1015 |
| RPM | 500, 840, 1240, 1800, 2630, 3975 (six spindle speeds) |
| Motor | 1 PH / 5 Amps / 115 Volts |
| Facelift Size | 26 inches |
| Weight | 35 kg |
| Dimensions | 26×7×14 inches |
| Horsepower | ½ |
| Voltage | 115 |
| Warranty | Five years |
Woodcarving can be fun even for the stay-at-home mom and those who think they can’t work with wood, and you might be surprised that even your children have a passion for wood. Its size reduces the skepticism one gets when they have never tried something before because bigger lathes can be intimidating. You might visit a workshop and discover that you enjoy working with wood.
The hustle then comes when you look to buy your first lathe, and there is a lot to it than meets the eye. One needs to consider the size of their project and the horsepower they will need, not forgetting the power supply they have at their disposal. Considering all this, you will lose your precious time searching for the lathe suitable for your needs.
Pros
- Six spindle speeds
- More significant speed range, from 500 to 3975
- Cast iron bed for reduced vibration
- Very durable
- 24 index positions
- Compatible with extensions
Cons
- It doesn’t have a reverse speed
- Extensions bought separately
The JWL-1015 considers most needs of wood spinning, and it weighs 35 kilograms without any accessories making it lighter than most of its competitors. It gives you 15.5 inches between centers meaning you can easily fit a piece of 15 inches without any hustle. It comes with a cast-iron lathe bed for that improved durability most products in the field lack. The cast iron is durable and reduces the vibration you get when working, resulting in smooth operation, which then translates to quality work. It also comes with a 10-inch swing over bed and a five-year warranty, which gives one peace of mind that should the equipment develop faults, they have someone to turn to.
The standard JWL-1015 version, which is this one without any modifications, features six variable speeds. The six spindle speeds of 500, 840, 1240, 2630, and 3975 make this lathe versatile as you can change speeds slightly, which is a handy feature when roughing out a blank. Vibration is a nuisance we don’t want when working, but we can’t get rid of it completely. The JWL-1015VS does a great job reducing it though its ½ horsepower motor is enough to turn the wood piece without much vibration.
Turning to science, less vibration means the machine is more efficient, so most of that power you pay for goes to good use. By changing the lathe’s speed, you can easily access the belts and pulleys. If you have an older version of a lathe, this can be an upgrade as it comes with an improved tensioning system with easier access to belts. The only shortcoming of the JWL-1015 is the limited access to the lower pulley, which does not reduce your work quality.
Jet JWL-1015 Aesthetics
The size of this lathe means more people purchase it for their home workshops, and one would want their home workshop to feel less serious than their workshop at the workplace. The JWL-1015 has a less serious look with a futuristic feel giving one the much-desired drive to work. It looks simple enough that even someone who has never worked with wood can have the courage to try it out just because the equipment is inviting. It comes with two handles that make it easy to move around and add to its looks.
Performance Review
It is well built with the best alignment in this price range. If you are new to the trade, you might wonder why the manufacturer had to put 24 index positions on this piece of machinery, and many index positions make it easy to cut fluting and veining. This is great for performance and makes the lathe very friendly to the not-so-experienced spinners.
Safety
Worry not for your safety. I don’t know if it was part of the plan to make this piece safe or just a coincidence, but the bottom line is it’s the safest in the market. All the moving parts are conveniently concealed apart from the ones you use. Its on-off switch is a safety key which is a great feature for a product that will find itself in many homes surrounded by mischievous young ones. It is advised to connect your lathe to a 10 amp circuit to prevent any electrical complications.
Our Verdict
The Jet JWL-1015 is the answer for most of us who couldn’t afford the large lathes but feared the inferior results of the smaller ones. This is a great buy, and we recommend it, especially for beginners. It’s a great addition to the workshop for professional work, and it doesn’t cost much. Plus, it doesn’t take up too much space.
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