JET JML 1014VSI 10-Inch-by-14-Inch Variable Speed Indexing Mini Lathe

Reviews of JET JML 1014VSI 10-Inch-by-14-Inch Variable Speed Indexing Mini Lathe

1.) Jet 1014VSI Var Speed Indexing Mini Lathe
Reviewed by: Tom T Arizona USA
Rating:
This is an excellent lathe. Mine did arrive with a damaged hinge plate on the motor contrll box but Jet gets an A+ for customer service by FedExing a new one right away without any fuss.

This is my third lathe and a second one to have on hand for doing smaller items. That way I don't have to fire up my 2HP Powermatic just for small stuff. I am very impressed with the general operation.

The new indexing feature is a nice addition to this lathe. It has 24 indexing positions which is plenty for a mini lathe. Indexing is done via a spring loaded threaded pin just in front of the handwheel. Pushing it in engages the lock, release and it springs back out. Push it in and turn it to engage the threads and you have hands free use of the locked spindle. Just remember to unlock it before starting the lathe up.

The variable speed is easy and accomplished by five speed settings on a dial, combined with three belt settings. A belt setting of LOW gets 500-1200 RPM; MED 1100-2600 RPM; HIGH 1700-3900 RPM. A plate on top of the motor controll box has all the speed settings posted there. Changing the belt positions takes all of 20 seconds. Probably less with smaller hands than mine!

As a test, I mounted a branch section 8"long x 3" diameter, and 1" off center. Starting the lathe at 500 RPM produced no significant vibration. This was with the lathe just sitting on a bench, not bolted down. I slowly turned the knob to speed three, 680 RPM, and vibration became too much. Speed one and two would have been more than enough to rough the piece down to round.

2.) 1014VS was the correct choice
Reviewed by: grafxman Conway, South Carolina United States
Rating:
After perhaps a month of reading and comparing mini lathes, I choose to buy the JET 1014VS. I am totally satisfied with this lathe and look forward to "turning" each new project.
The 1014VS is a stout machine that actually hums at higher speeds - No vibration, just smooth operation.
My lathe did arrive with a broken control box, perhaps the manufacturer will retrofit with a metal appliance someday. Replacing the control box was relatively easy and the Customer Support lady was very helpful.
I am a very happy customer.


3.) Great Lathe, Great Company, So-so Retailer
Reviewed by: Wood crazed St. Charles, MO
Rating:
I had been looking to start turning and decided to start with the Jet Mini lathe and the price on Amazon could not be beat. I am very happy with the variable speeds. The lathe is solid and works great especially paired with Oneways Chuck. The problem was that one of the rubber feet on the bottom of the lathe was broken from shipping. No big deal right. I called Amazon and the response was to send the entire lathe back to them for a replacement to be sent to me. I thought this to be a bit silly. The rubber feet are a few ounces this lathe is around 70 lbs. I abandoned Amazon's customer service and called Jet. They sent me the rubber feet with no problem and billed Amazon. Customer Service was great from Jet. so so from Amazon.

4.) My second Jet
Reviewed by: Postalbob New Jersy
Rating:
Am new to this great found hobby. Bought my first Jet NonVS and when I first found this hobby, wish i was was advised to buy the VS from the very first time. But havig this new machine it has given me untold hours of great service and what I feel are some very nice pens, still learnig but I like to think that this machine makes it all more interesting and easier. I am without a doubt very happy with my new VS and hope to maybe someday move up to another model in this fun hobby.
Friends that have been turning longer them myself have also shared theire love for this machine when they visit my shop.
R Helveston aka, Postalbob

5.) Absolutely perfect
Reviewed by: A. Howard North Carolina
Rating:
Having read many reviews and waffling between saving a few dollars by not getting a Jet or not getting variable speed control, I decided I didn't want to upgrade a few years from now. I am so incredibly happy with this lathe! I had learned to turn on a Shopsmith, and the size and quietness of the Jet absolutely amazed me, the fit and finish is perfect, it has plenty of power, and the belt change takes maybe 5 seconds. I highly recommend this machine!!!!

6.) Jet Variable Speed Mini Lathe Review - Matt S. Flower Mound, TX
Reviewed by: M. Savage Dallas, TX USA
Rating:
This was my first lathe purchase, but not my first purchase of Jet product. After receiving and opening the box, it was clear the box had been dropped sometime during shipping. The live center tip was bent and the on/off switch was damaged. I went ahead and assembled the lathe to verify if anything else was damaged and fortunately it was in good shape - this lathe in heavy for its size.

The Jet service center I called sent me replacement parts via 2 day mail, free of charge. I would have balked if I had received any less service, so I'm glad they did this without me having to ask for it.

I finished assembling the lathe and started turning. I'm still learning about the things to do with the lathe, but so far things are going better than expected. I was not sure what the indexing feature was, but figured it out quickly and realized the additional value. I purchased a one-way scroll chuck at Woodcraft which was a very nice addition to this mini lathe. My favorite feature on the lathe is the variable speed. I'm not one to tolerate taking time to shift pulley belts around, so being able to adjust the speed with a dial has already made working with this power tool a pleasure. I give it 5 of 5.

7.) JET JML 1014VSI 10 inch
Reviewed by: JimboGetty Kentucky
Rating:
If your looking for a lathe to turn out those small projects, you will be impressed with the JET VS. I watched a friend for a couple weeks make several wooden pens and I was hooked, went on the net and purchased one for myself. This lathe looks nice, very functional, easy to use, and has the power needed to make many craft projects. The varible speed option really makes project turning fun. You will not be disappointed with JET when you use this machine.

8.) A dream to use.
Reviewed by: Wee Willy Turlock, Ca.
Rating:
Right out of the box, this lathe performed flawlessly. It is easy to operate, quiet, and a fine piece of machinery.

9.) Little giant
Reviewed by: the woodworker gainesville, fl
Rating:
The JET Mini Lathe was recieved in perfect condition. Mounted it to a work surface and started turning. Fantastic piece of machinery. At full speed there is no vibration whatsoever. The price was right also.JET JML 1014I 10 Inch X 14 Inch Indexing Mini Lathe

10.) Small, solid performer ...
Reviewed by: Ralph M.Cox Houston, TX
Rating:
The Jet is my second lathe, and although smaller, it's the one I'll keep and take with me into the retirement home. With a 10" swing x 14" (expandable) bed length, it's big enough for 99+% of all projects. It's well-designed, manufactured to close tolerances, heavy, solid, and stout, especially for its size, runs true, operates smoothly, and performs well over the full (and adequate) speed range. It's very capable of handling eccentric blanks or out-of-balance logs provided that it's securely anchored to something massive.

Has been perfect in all respects, no hint of a design or manufacturing issue. About the only downside compared to more expensive, albeit larger, lathes is the lack of electronic speed control, but the belt system is easier to use than I had expected and can be changed with one hand. Highly recommended!

11.) Ah, Finally! a REAL TOOL!
Reviewed by: PenMan1 Atlanta, GA
Rating:
After yutzing around trying to save a penny here and there, I finally aborted the Grizzly mini lathe and bought a REAL tool. This lathe works terriffic and is well worth the money. I have learned my lesson. No more Grizzly or the other junk, just go ahead and buy the Jet products. If you woodwork for money, you'll make a lot more because of the time you will save NOT being on the phone with customer service for days at the time. Amazon did a terriffic on price and getting this lathe to me quickly. It works 3-5 hours daily and has been FLAWLESS!

12.) solid product!
Reviewed by: Jake Smith
Rating:
Ive been working with it for a few weeks now, and have found no complaints. Its a solid smooth machine, and thats what you expect from Jet. The packaging techniques left some small scratches on the paint that go through to the cast metal beneath. I did not buy it because it was pretty, and after two minutes turning with it, you cant see 'em anyway. The elec. controlled speed is crucial, and I would not reccomend buying any lathe w/o this feature. Buy a PSI Barricuda chuck with it, and theres nothing this little machine wont do.
LOVE IT!


13.) So far, so good
Reviewed by: alexy
Rating:
I'm new to turning, so don't have any points of comparison, but this runs very smoothly. It has surprising mass.

I wanted this lathe's big brother, the 12-20, and still would get that instead if the cost differential were just the price difference for most dealers. But it was not available from Amazon (only from a partner retailer), and when you add free shipping to the price differential, I couldn't justify the larger one. But this one is no toy!

I'm still just making practice spindle turnings, but look forward to creative turning.

P.S. for fellow newbies: The cost of the lathe is just the beginning!
:-(

14.) Jet again exceeds my expectations!
Reviewed by: Older and Wiser in Illinois Northwestern Illinois
Rating:
I now have 4 Jet tools. I had a 6" jointer, a 14" bandsaw, and a 16" wood lathe. I was so impressed with them that when I wanted a 10" wood lathe for my basement that I bought this lathe. Again I am so glad for my choice. It is plenty powerful and super quiet and smooth. I also like the fact that it uses a #2 morse taper just like my large lathe so the attachments are interchangeable. Like all my Jet tools the fit and finish was excellent. Jet tools are an excellent value!

15.) Excellent little lathe perfect for small turning production or hobby
Reviewed by: ColoradoHermit Canon City, Colorado USA
Rating:
Impressive little lathe. I bought mine about a year and a half ago, (March 2008) and I've been using it almost daily ever since. I love the way that its so quiet. I also have a Shop Smith Mark V and when running it in lathe mode, ( or any other) it makes so much noise that you can't hear anything else over it. this little lathe is whisper quiet at all speeds. All you hear is a soft hummm. I've been turning mostly pens so I don't know how well it would perform turning something larger but its half hp motor should be able to handle almost anything that will fit between centers. The variable speed on it has definitely spoiled me. After having it I can't imagine trying to run the lathe without it. It does have a 3 step pulley in it giving it 3 speed ranges. For the smaller items leaving it in the mid range or high will still give you enough speed variation to run a complete part from rough turning to finish polishing without having to change speed range. The only complaints that I have about it is the live center that it came with for one. The bearing went out in it after only 6 or 8 months of use. And the on/off toggle switch for another. I've had to replace it once, about six months ago and its starting to go out again already. Its definitely been worth the investment and I would recommend it to anybody wanting to get started turning wood on a low budget. Don't waist your money on a cheaply made machine. After trying this little lathe if you decide that your not that interested in wood turning it should still have a high resale value and you will be able to get most of your money back out of it.

16.) Great quality, user friendly Midi Lathe.
Reviewed by: quackycalls dot com Eastern North Carolina
Rating:
When i was researching the different brands and such prior to the purchase of a lathe it was somewhat obvious from reviews all across the internet that woodworkers loved their Jet lathes.

So i decided to go with the Jet Midi Variable Speed 1014 wood lathe and i am so glad that i did. This tool is a great tool for the money.

Has an extra solid split lathe bed that cuts down on any potential vibrations and movements while the motor is spinning at high rpms. My lathe runs super smooth.

It comes with rubber feet which one can remove and bolt it down to a tabletop through the 3/8" holes left behind where the rubber feet were.

Stable, quiet, very tight tolerances, user friendly

The variable speed may costs a little more but trust me it is super nice to have to transition from turning to sanding and back to shaping up some fine details again which require to increase spindle speeds.

You will not be disappointed with this machine, solid, well designed and engineered piece of equipment.

Chris
quackycalls.com
Eastern NC

17.) Jet 1014VSI
Reviewed by: Mike MN USA
Rating:
I also have the same lathe that is not a variable speed. They are both fine products. I recomend the variable speed if you turn differant sizes of wood. Well worth the money.

18.) Buy it; do it now.
Reviewed by: Get a Hobby Tennessee
Rating:
This is a good piece of equipment. The variable speed option is worth the money. If you are a newbie, get ready to spend some money for related tools. Woodturning is a great hobby, but good tools make it much better.

19.) SUPER LITTLE LATHE
Reviewed by: grumpy old man Florida
Rating:
THE BEST MINI LATHE ON THE MARKET. DOES EVERYTHING IT PROMISES. NO COMPLAINTS. I LOVE THE VARIABLE SPEED. DON'T BUY ONE WITHOUT IT. EASY TO CHANGE BELTS FROM ONE SPEED TO ANOTHER.

20.) Great Jet Mini Lathe
Reviewed by: RC Babson Park, FL
Rating:
This is a very useful and efficient lathe for small spindle and internal turning. I am very impressed.

21.) happy
Reviewed by: T-Man TN
Rating:
i received it quickly and it works like a champ I have used jet products before and will recommend it to any one

22.) good lathe for the price
Reviewed by: D. Siddens indiana
Rating:
I bought this lathe to turn pens on which it does just fine and I'm also glad that I got the variable speed, this makes pen turning so much easier. Out of the box the tail stock spindle hand wheel was bent, most likely from shipping, all it took was a couple of lights taps with a soft face hammer and it was good to go. The lathe is smooth at all but the highest rpm's but it still does not cause any issues. From other reviews that I read people were commenting about how difficult it was to change the belt, while it not the most user friendly I find the middle pulleys do everything I need so I don't change the belt at all. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a compact lathe to turn small parts on.

23.) Jet JML 1014VSI
Reviewed by: W. Gates LA
Rating:
Fantastic piece of machinery. Other than a slight chip in the paint on the backside it was perfect out of the box.

24.) My first lathe, I made the right choice!
Reviewed by: Landon L. Smith NW NEBRASKA
Rating:
After comparing alot of mini-lathes I decided the Jet would win out. It offers all the features I was looking for as a beginning wood turner. The centers line up absolutely dead-on. Very nice balance, nothing but a hum at high speeds. Wish the control box was metal but as long as the plastic does not become brittle and crack it wont matter. Only other design flaw I see is the power cord placement exiting the control box does not allow it to swing fully open thus restricting access to the belt and lower pulleys making the belt chang a little more difficult than it should be. Over-all I am very pleased with the lathe. Very Solid tool,
I would reccommend it to anyone.

25.) Jet Lathe
Reviewed by: Farnham M. Cornia Toutle WA
Rating:
The lathe arrived and seemed packed very well but two of the feet were broken off and the start/stop toggle switch was bad. I called Jet and they sent me a new switch and feet. The lathe runs smooth at high speed. It looks to be made very well and I am excited about turning my first bowl.

26.) Great for the beginner
Reviewed by: renaissance man Princeton, NJ USA
Rating:
I have wanted to try turning for some time. I recently took an introductory class and was immediately hooked. The class was taught on an older model Jet variable speed. It was solid, stable and simple to use. I figured if it could stand up to the rigours of a classroom, it would certainly be able to take whatever I threw at it. Having made the mistake many years ago of buying a grinder without the accompanying stand, I made the decision to shell out the extra bucks for the Jet stand as well. It was a good decision. The stand is solidly built and went together easily. It is adjustable in height. The tallest setting ended up being perfect for me.

The lathe didn't disappoint either. It was delivered in perfect condition and I had it up and running before I finished my first cup of morning coffee. When I took the class, my very exerienced instructor suggested another brand even thouh we were being trained on the Jet. He cited the difficulties in changing the variable speed on the older model. BEcasue of the price difference and the ease of ordering from Amazon I decieded on the Jet anyway and went with the new variable speed indexing model. Don't ask me what I am going to use the indexing for. Anyway, the new model has a combination of a speed control and belt changes to get the full range of available speeds. SO far, I have only had to move the belts twice and it is not exactly arduous. (pretty simple really). I note two negatives: 1) The housing for the speed control has a tendency to swing open if not shut firmly. This is a function of the, at best adequate, tension locking mechanism used. Stilol, it is only an irritation. The second is the tool rest. It is the same size as the one I used in the class but does not appear to be machined as well. I would probably have replaced it with a longer one eventually but it does detract from what otherwise seems to be a very nice machine. I have had the lathe for a little less than 2 weeks now and probably have about 25-30 hours of smooth running, vibration free turning on it. Not enough to say that I love it or that it will last a lifetime but I am VERY satisfied so far. A note of caution. The cost of the lathe is only about half the entry level cost. Anyway, I am now taking a multiweek class and I am loving every minute of it. Happy turning!

27.) Great Lathe ! Great Price!
Reviewed by: A. Yayman New Orleans LA
Rating:
I recently bought this mini lathe on Amazon because the price was better than I had seen elsewhere. I received it slightly damaged, it was missing the live center and the instruction manual. A few days later I requested from Amazon that this be rectified, which they did. I had my replacement a day later.

The machine is great for pens and bottle stoppers and free-form stuff. I haven't turned any bowls yet on it, so I can't comment on that. I feel that the torque is a little underpowered, but hey, it's a mini!

28.) JetJML 1014VSI
Reviewed by: SS Dearborn Michigan
Rating:
I bought this lathe from the Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 29918 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak, MI 48073 . I had a slight problem with the lathe. The head stock center was higher than the tail-stock center. Very bad for spindle turning. I went back to Rockler and they totally blew me off and would do nothing for me. They sent me to Glenn Wing Power Tools, 33656 Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009-0910. They did very little to nothing to correct the problem. So I called Jet Service and they sent me to Marsh Power Tools, 20579 Middlebelt Road, Livonia, MI. Jet called Marsh and told them I would be bringing the lathe over. Marsh machined the head stock down and matched it to the tail stock, so the centers were in line.
This is a great little lathe but buyer be ware. Some of these lathes do not line up between centers. Jet was great in handling my problem. Rockler SUCKS.

29.) Shipping
Reviewed by: Sidvicious7 California, USA
Rating:
I recently receive my order only to find it arrived damaged. The damage was due to the poor handling by UPS. The metal base was broken into to halves due to careless handling. Customer service tried their best to satisfy me but too little too late the experience was bad. Questionable if I'll utilize this service again. Unable to rate the product due to the extended damage. SO I will give it the lowest score.

Features of JET JML 1014VSI 10-Inch-by-14-Inch Variable Speed Indexing Mini Lathe

JML-1014IVS: 10"x 14" Mini Lathe with Indexing Head Model 708375VS replaces the popular JML-1014. Without changing the basic reliable lathe, Jet has added arbor locks and 24 position indexing. Your wood turning can be enhanced by adding fluting, which is running decorative grooves lengthwise down a spindle by utilizing the indexing options. This powerful cast iron machine provides stable, virtually vibration free turning.Variable Speed. 10" swing over the bed. 14" Spindle capacity - which can be increased by adding a 20" bed extension. 1" x 8 TPI Spindle. #2 Morse Taper on head and tailstock. Motor: 1/2 HP, 1 Ph, 115 V. Overall dimensions 24-5/8" D x 7-1/4" W x 14" H. Includes 6" tool rest, live center, 3" faceplate, spur center, tooling knockout, and safety goggles

Offering the same innovative features as the JML-1014I Mini Lathe, but with the addition of variable speed ranges of 500 to 3900 RPM, arbor locks, and indexing options, the JET JML-1014VSI 10 x 14-Inch Variable Speed Indexing Mini Lathe is a powerful workhorse that gives you complete control over any project you can dream up. Machined on the end to accept the mini-lathe bed extension, this model fits on the Jet Stand #708354 and Bed Extension #708355.

The JET JML-1014VSI 10 x 14-Inch Indexing Mini Lathe offers: A powerful 1/2 HP motor that offers six speeds An indexing mechanism for fast, efficient fluting and veining Cam-lock mechanisms for tool-free adjustment of headstock, tailstock and tool rest base The stability of cast-iron construction

Easy-access controls allow for quick adjustments.

The tailstock has a live center with a full two-inch ram capacity. View larger.

Precision details make use easy and intuitive. View full diagram.

Cam-lock mechanisms are tool-free and easy to handle.

Powerful 1/2 HP, Six-Speed Motor for Control and Flexibility
Able to support stock measuring up to 10 inches in diameter and 14 inches in length, the JML-1014VSI owes its robust performance to a powerful 1/2 HP, totally enclosed, fan-cooled motor that powers six spindle speeds ranging from 500 to 3,975 RPMs. The motor's flexibility allows you to tackle a range of projects and materials without bogging down your lathe.

Cast-Iron Bed for Stability; Spindle Lock for Fast Fluting and Veining
A heavy-duty cast-iron lathe bed adds stability while dramatically limiting vibrations during operation so you enjoy precise results. Additionally, the spindle features a lock that makes it easier to remove faceplates, chucks, and other accessories with one hand, and it has indexing capabilities for fast and efficient fluting and veining operations.

Live Center and Hollow Tailstock for Efficient Boring
To help complete projects quickly and easily, and to tackle a range of jobs, the live center has a removable pin for boring through stock, while the hollow tailstock allows you to perform long hole boring for lamps and other vessels.

Self-Ejecting Tailstock and Cam-Lock Mechanism for Safe, Easy Operation
Designed to be extremely user friendly, the JML-1014VSI's tailstock is also self-ejecting for safe and easy removal; the tool also offers a two-inch ram capacity. Additionally, a cam-lock mechanism allows tool-free adjustments of the headstock, tailstock, and tool-rest base. Finally, quick release levers make for easy and accurate positioning of the tool-rest and tail stock.

Finally, to help protect both your workspace and your materials, the JML-1014VSI's benchtop features four non-skid rubber feet to keep the machine stable during use.

This mini lathe measures approximately 10.25 x 28.1 x 14.1 inches (WxHxL), weighs 80 pounds, and is backed by a five-year warranty.

About JET: A History of Sharing New, Feature-Rich Products
Opened in 1958 after the founder of the company, Leslie P. Sussman, took the first Boeing Jet Airplane trip from Seattle, Washington to Japan, JET began as a small dealer that sold air hoists and trolleys out of a single hardware store in Seattle. Over the years, JET has carried everything from snowmobiles, transmitter radios, and forklifts to nylon stockings, but by the early 1970s, metalworking had become the base of their business line. And by the 1980s, JET had expanded into the realm of woodworking. Today, you'll find that JET offers a wide range of popular woodworking tools that are backed with best-in-class features and excellent service.

What's in the Box
Mini lathe, one six-inch tool-rest, one faceplate, one drift rod, one live center, one spur center, one pair of safety goggles, one owner's manual, one warranty card, one three-millimeter hex wrench, and one five-millimeter hex wrench.


1.) Variable Speed Mini-Lathe;10 inch swing; 14 inch bed length; quick release levers;
2.) 1/2 HP engine; 400-3,900 RPM; tailstock has a live center and 2" ram capacity;
3.) Quick release levers allow for easy & accurate positioning of tool rest and tailstock;
4.) 1/2HP totally enclosed, fan cooled motor powers 6 spindle speeds ranging from 500-3,975 RPM;
5.) The Mini-Lathe includes 6" Tool rest, Live center, 3" face plate, spur center, tooling knockout, and safety goggles.;

Package Height x Length x Width: 30.9 in. x 30.9 in. x 16.4 in.
Package Weight: 75 lbs.

Accessories for JET JML 1014VSI 10-Inch-by-14-Inch Variable Speed Indexing Mini Lathe