Customer Reviews

JET 708360 JWL-1642EVS-2 Electronic Variable Speed Woodworking Lathe, 16-Inch Swing 42-Inch between Centers 2-Horsepower 230-Volt 1-Phase

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This lathe is a sleeper. Truly. I have researched lathes for months because i wanted exactly the right lathe. My requirements were, smooth operation, variable speed, quiet, vibration free and heavy.

After much research and hands on evaluation I decided on and purchased the jet jet 1642-2EVS (708360) 2 hp lathe. It is the first machine that I have ever purchased that was not assembled and at first was somewhat annoyed that is was still in the crate but assembly was relatively simple. I removed the parts piece by piece from the truck. the legs are very heavy and luckily i had help. The bed was very heavy and somewhat of a challange to get it up on the legs, but assembly was very simple. Every hole was perfectly aligned. It was in a crate, very well protected and neatly packed.

Before i go into the details of the lathe i would like to give you some information on the prodcuts that i did evaluate and consider. The first unit was the NOVA. It was ok, i thought rather light and expensive for what it really was. Everything was an add on, and it started at nearly $2,000. It didn't impress me. The DELTA was a nice lathe. Very clean design but it just didn't have the weight. It would have been my second choice. The ONEWAY. It was just too darn big. Really nice machine if you win the lottery. It just kind of screamed "look what i got" Too yuppie. It was my last choice.

So, anyway, i purchased the jet. I went for the two hp model only because i wanted a 220 unit. They have lower operating costs and the dollar difference wasn't that great. I was surprised that they do not come with a plug, but that was no big deal.

Tonight i cleaned it up and got it running. After all the research i did, i didn't realize it wouldn't take my Delta chuck. It has a 1-1/2 x 8 screw and my Delta accessories have a 1 x 8. No big deal, they have an adaptor. Phew!!!!!!!!!

Everything was in perfect allignment. I turned it on and just stood there admiring the smooth operation. I have no vibration at any speed. The lack of noise impressed me very much. I just cut a bunch of trial pieces. Magnificant. I can't express enough how happy i am with this selection. Everything about it is quality.

Owned this Jet 2 HP lathe model 1642 over two years now and haven't any regrets. Very heavy duty for the price and compared to a Oneway, what's the difference, price or the bragging rights like the review said below. This is built like a tank, but runs like a Cadillac, very smooth while passing the nickel test over and over. I had test drove the 1 1/2 HP Jet and the 2 HP Oneway before buying this and for $100.00 more then the Jet 1 1/2 HP and $1500.00 less then the 2 HP Oneway, no brainer. Even tested the two delta 2 HP lathes same price, no thanks on steel beds, I only like iron cast. The Nova was nice to, I just don't like the snap together bed for the price. Saved my money for nice wood and more turning tools, also banking the extra dough.

Had the Jet 2hp 1642 for about a year now and have tried to write a review, maybe because I did not buy online. Well worth the money, very heavy and designed for the professional wood turner. If you like to brag, buy a Oneway, if you like to turn, buy a Jet 2Hp 1642 and save your money to buy nice wood. In my shop, I buy different makes of tools for how well they are built and to have the very best out of them, not the cost.

When I started looking for a bigger lathe, and I looked at all of them, I looked very seriously at oneway, because I already have one of thier chucks and some of thier other accesories and was very inpressed with them. However a friend of mine has a JET 1642 and turns out some very impressive segmented bowls with it... that recommendation and the quality of his lathe compared to the oneway price and the more versitile 1642EVS-2 did the trick. I bought the two horse 220 machine and I am really impressed with the balance and noise level,, (there is very little).
The machine will do much more than I am capable of and look forward to doing some more challenging projects. I already have turned a 12 inch green red oak bowl with no problem at all... as far as the machine is concerned...!!! Great lathe and and accesories that came with it.
I used to be a Delta biggot but have since bought more Jet tools, good equipment for the money.

I have a number of Jet tools and they have served me well, but this tool has been an expensive disappointment. I bought the 2hp model several years ago. Upon start up, the speed control smoked big time in less than 2 hours. Jet provided an authorized repair service within 5 days. Unfortunately, they brought the wrong replacement module and I waited another week for the repair. Since the electronic motor controller was more than the repair service was used to, they replaced the motor and inverter/speed control as a set. The new motor was noisy after the replacement at several speeds and made a scraping sound inside whereas the original motor was smooth and quiet. Just after the warranty expired, the motor began to sound increasingly more noisy and suddenly stopped working. The lathe has approximately only 40 hours of total use. I called Jet and explained the situation, but the only option available to me was to buy a replacement motor for $400 plus tax and shipping.

As an owner of 6 Jet tools, I was very disappointed and will seriously consider upgrading to a more robust lathe from another manufacturer. If you consider the ~ $2K price of the lathe, and another $475 for a replacement motor, it makes sense to consider lathes from the other suppliers as it may save money and avoid costly repairs down the road.

A lot of great reviews here and elsewhere lead me to the Jet 2HP lathe. Both the lathe and the shipping (lift-gate service directly to the shop) exceeded my expectations. I was set up and turning within a couple hours. Smooth, controllable, a real step forward from me previous lathe.

I have been a wood lathe turner for 20+ years who has turned on many machines. This lathe is awesome! Smooth, powerful a joy to turn with. I turned my first bowl on it in half the time as my old lathe.

It was easy to set up and worked great out of the box. The Amazon free shipping was amazing, I got it in 3 days!

I've been doing woodworking for years now, but it has been all flat work. I bought a mini lathe to make some small legs and handles, well I discoverd the vortex. Turning is so much fun. I've found a new woodworking love. I still like flat work, but this has become my new passion. I had decided to save for a larger lathe that could handle bowls, plates and such, and had intended to get the PM 3520b. Until Jet had a special on the 1642EVS-2 for 1699. Well ToolNut had it even cheaper with free shipping for sixteen hunderd even (Thanks again ToolNut). The lathe is Jet's top of the line and seems great so far. No issues with anything. I can see myself keeping this lathe for the rest of my life.

Not much to add to the other reviews, fit and finish is good (not the best I've seen but good). Form and Function is excellent, they have made a solid lathe everything works perfectly. Good tail stock, live center, rest, strong motor, easy to use belt adjustment, handy tool tray.
The only negatives for me is the height of the lathe (I'm 5'6") and it is a bit light (but can be easily weighted down with the built in base.

Just add a chuck of your choice, some turning tools and wood :)

I'll add an update to the review after a year.

Great Delivery, Easy assembly, product lives up to all other reviews. No vibration at any rpm. My first turning - a set of 4 inch square table legs. Very little effort, no vibration. Sanding at 3000 rpm's was very nice. Very happy with this lathe.

I had been wanting to upgrade my lathe for awhile and had looked at a lot of different possibilities. I was expecting the lathe I had pretty much settled on, the Nova DVR-XP, to go on sale again this fall like it did last year, but it didn't happen. So I started looking again and kept coming back to the Jet. When I saw it pop up on Amazon at a really good price and free shipping, I took that as a sign and ordered it. Amazingly enough it arrived in about four days, and with the assistance of a very helpful delivery driver got it into the garage. From that point on it's definitely a two person install. Very straight-forward assembly with no hitches. Everything lined up the way it should, everything fit where it was supposed to - no problems. What's been amazing to me, and should probably be a lesson for anyone thinking about woodturning, is that the equipment you use can make a HUGE difference. What I had begun to believe was just skill inadequacies on my part were, for a large part, solved quite handily with the addition of 350 lbs of weight and 4X the horsepower. I would strongly recommend this lathe to anyone who's serious (or wants to be) about turning, and has kind of a mid-range budget.