Jet 708376 JWL-1220 12-inch X 20-inch Wood Lathe

Reviews of Jet 708376 JWL-1220 12-inch X 20-inch Wood Lathe

1.) Excellent benchtop lathe.
Reviewed by: DB in CA
Rating:

The Jet 1220 is an excellent choice for people without a lot of shop space. It's similar to their venerable 1014 models which have been on the market for a while, but is considerably beefier and has somewhat larger capacity. Weighing in at almost 100 pounds, it's not really that portable, but the extra mass seems to help it run remarkably smoothly for a benchtop lathe. Jet also manufactures a bed extension which allows you to turn longer spindle work (the motor is powerful enough for most furniture work).

Jet's customer service is outstanding, by the way. I had a problem early on with the bolts on the tailstock and they shipped replacement parts the next day. I've now had the lathe over six months and it's been reliable.

I agree with the previous reviewer that electronic variable speed would be a really nice feature, though changing the speed manually by adjusting the belt only takes about 20 seconds or so.

2.) Excellent Lathe
Reviewed by: E. Holmquist South Windsor, CT USA
Rating:

I've had this lathe for about a year now and it has worked great. The only adjustment I needed to make out of the box was to loosen the nut under the tailstock to allow it to slide more freely when it was not locked down.

Over the long run, the set screws on the motor pulley tend to back out causing some noise and an odd feel when using the headstock handwheel. Fortunately this lathe is light enough to turn it over on the side and tighten them with an allan wrench which eliminates the problem. After a few hundred hours of operation, I have had to tighten these set screws twice.

I have so far used it to make bowls up to 10" diameter, pens, boxes, bottle stoppers, toys, Christmas ornaments and some furtature elements. It has performed all of these tasks with ease.

Variable speed would be a nice option on this lathe if Jet ever ugrades it

3.) Jet 708376 JWL-1220
Reviewed by: J. Lewis
Rating:

I purchased this lathe 2 months ago. First off the packing is adequite but not spectacular. Of course being over 100 lbs can afford some damage issues, especially as the unit sits straight up and its demensions make it high and wide. Remember that the unit must travel overseas to a dealer, through customs, stored in inventory then re-shipped to customer.

in any event my unit while the outside of the box had some issues :)
the unit itself came through unharmed.

This unit is heavy so be carfull. The two hand pulls on either end make transport easier. No problems to set up. Make sure you have a rag, to wipe off excess protective oil. Finish is typical with most of the jet tools....nice..no spurs..typical cast iron bed no rough spots.

With the 3/4 hp motor you do get added stability. I am a pen turner right now and the difference is very noticable. Very very quiet. My wife loves that..at least until I turn on the dust collector. Plan on smaller bowl turning which was the main reason for the change. The light comes in handy as well.varible spped would be nice, hear its in the works, maybe out by now. I'm a firm believer in the more gizmos the more possible breakdowns. As with the sister midi jet, changing belts are no problem.
after the first 2-3 changes your a pro.

Bottom line: This is a great product fair price, has a extention bed and
stand.You will totally enjoy..

All

4.) Cant beat it
Reviewed by: Hesstx TX
Rating:

I just got this lathe and was up and running 30 min after I unpacked it. I is well worth the money. Shipping was slow. I had the same problem as mentioned already. Mine was sitting in Dallas with me 45 min south for 2 days. I ended up looking the shipper number up and calling them. It was sent out the next day

5.) Jet 1220 Lathe
Reviewed by: David Atlanta, GA
Rating:

I fretted and studied for some time before coming to a descision to purchase the Jet 1220 from Amazon. (of course the next week it was on sale elsewhere but even had I purchased the on sale and paid shipping it would have cost more than the Amazon with free shipping).
The lathe was easily set up cleaned and checked out true. I have turned a few things and found it has more than ample power and plenty of mass to stay put on the workbench.
I highly reccommend this lathe.

6.) Great Small lathe
Reviewed by: Rod Builder
Rating:

I stepped up to the 1220 after learning how to turn on the 1014. Given the choice, the 1220 is a much better machine. The larger turning capacity and weight as well the additional power are the biggest advantages. However the little things like the tool holder, the additional, larger, tool rest and the attached light are a nice plus. Actually I am glad that I had the 1014 first as I pretty much trashed it learning to turn. Now that I better understand how to take care of a lathe I really appreciate the 1220. I have turned bowls up to 10" in diameter with no problem, at least no problem with the lathe :-) If you have limited space like I do then this is a great unit at a super price.

7.) Jet 12inch x 20-inch Wood Lathe
Reviewed by: Turner in North Carolina Goldsboro, NC
Rating:

This is my first lathe, I researched many other lathes and felt this would be the best value for my money. could have spent $200 less on other lathes but felt I would be sacrificing quality and would have slightly less capability. I have now turned about 10 pens and a few bowls and love this machine. Its quiet and smooth and when spindle speed needs to be changed its a breeze! Ive had the opportunity to look at a few other lathes that are comparable now and can see that the Jet lathe is worth the extra $. I opted not to pay the extra $100 for a variable speed model and dont regret it, nice feature but not a must have. A few items i bought with the lathe are a 4 jaw chuch (MUST HAVE) and a drill chuck (again MUST HAVE) and dont go cheap on the Chisels. Overall a great machine thats easy to use, you cant go wrong with a Jet!

8.) Very pleased
Reviewed by: Diane Hall FL
Rating:

I've only had my lathe for about a month, but I've used it a LOT. I'm VERY happy so far with everything my lathe can do. Changing speeds IS easy to do manually and works well for me.

I'd recommend it to anyone else!

9.) Jet 1220 Funtastic
Reviewed by: Robert Shannon Tucson Arizona
Rating:

This is my first jet and by the way this one preforms it will definitly not be the last .OnceI have a little more exp I will love it even more even though this may be a midi it has the capabilities of alot of full sized lathesit leaves my full size craftsman in a pile of shavings.

10.) Great Lathe
Reviewed by: Richard Wills Crofton, KY USA
Rating:

Great lathe, comes fully assembled and arrived ontime. Lathe is exactly what is advertised, and works better than I was led to believe.

11.) Jet 1220 Wood Lathe
Reviewed by: A. Lanseigne
Rating:

I upgraded to the Jet 1220 and am very happy I did. It arrived on the exact scheduled delivery day and the package didn't have any damage. Once I opened it up the box I was turning a bowl within 15 minutes. Would recommend this lathe to everyone.

12.) Amaizing product!!!
Reviewed by: Radoslav Paskalev
Rating:

For home use on any kind of projects, this lathe is all you need! It is powerfull, portable, very quiet, and has very, very simple design with no extra "gizmos" that usualy make more problems than actually help. If I use this lathe for atleast 5-6 years and than breake it , I will buy the same lathe over again! The price is the best available on the market and "free shipping" on a 100 pounds product... Can`t beat that!
The lathe has doing it`s job perfect! It is heavy, very stable and quiet! I don`t have a lot of room in my garrage and I also don`t wont to make a mess inside so I use the lathe on top of my table saw in my back yard. I just build a nice laminate top, that I set on top of the saw and than set the lathe. It works great and I love it! The only thing Jet should improve is the way of changing speeds. Or atleast make it a little bit more comfortable. I don`t mind opening both doors to move the belt but it`s little aggravating. And at the same time I don`t think I would want the varieble speed lathe because all additional electronics will make the product more breakable.
Overall it is a great tool for woodworking. I am building a woodwind instruments and I use a lot the boring -thru technique. This is possible , using the 3/8 opening on the talestock and head stock. I usualy drill a 3-8 pilot hole , while the late is running on the lowest speed. Then I expand the opening to the exact size hole I need.
So, I recommend this lathe for making peper mills , lamps etc.
Thanks Amazon for the great product!

13.) Great Lathe!
Reviewed by: Daniel A. Davis Phoenix, Arizona USA
Rating:

Great Lathe. Nice size for bowls and small projects. Limited on length but has bed extention available. Live center could be better. Would like one with a smaller longer point.

Overall, a very nice lathe for the home hobbiest.

14.) Jet 1220 Mini Lathe
Reviewed by: Foot stool fun Palm Springs, CA
Rating:

I received my Jet Mini Lathe in awful shipping packaging. It had been laying in water and had a touch of rust on one of the corners. The box was very beat up and the lathe had areas where the paint had chipped off. It almost looked used. I cleaned it up with a little soapy water and that helped. I've been using the lathe for a week now and I love it. The Jet 1220 is a perfect fit for me. I love the product just not the shipping.

15.) Jet 1220 lathe
Reviewed by: C. Sailer
Rating:

My husband and I are new to turning. We purchased the Jet 1220 lathe and are very happy with its performance. The only thing we would like to see change is where the light is positioned on the machine. I was very impressed with delivery I was promised within two weeks and had it in less then one week.

16.) This is a nice little lathe for the price.
Reviewed by: Gary L. Iverson, Sr. Boise, Idaho
Rating:

The unit is nice, clean, well designed, and though small, I think it will do a good job.
The packaging was well done, and the unit basiccally ready to go.
It is no "Shop Smith" in size, but it is also not that much money either. When it says it is a 10 inch lathe, do not make the mistake I did of thinking that it will really handle larger 10 inch heavy loads..... it it is not able to handle such. The very small flat drive belt and low power motor will just not do that. However, If you plan to do small (or long with extention) spindle legs, or router jig work with the lathe, this should be great. It will go with motor power down as low as 500 RPM and up to 3250 with the built in spindle speeds..... can't go really slow under power. I think it is a really cute unit. It should do light work well.

Now that I have it, would I go ahead and buy it again? No, I would spend a little bit more and get the 12 inch model (hoping for a bit more power, speeds, and versatility) or go the extra money, well above this price, and get the Shop Fox unit. Both made well, just one step up in size, power, and ability to adapt..... a lot heavier too! This one is only 100# w/ motor.

It seems well made though.

17.) Poor shipping
Reviewed by: J. Brown Hanford, Ca United States
Rating:

I can not review the lathe yet as I have not received it. I am just providing a warning on expecting the shipping to be on time. The product arrived in the City next to me on the date promised. It took about a week to travel across the nation. Now they are advising it will take another 7 days to travel the 27 miles from the arrival city to my home.

18.) Not favorable
Reviewed by: Louis Allard
Rating:

Lower gear door has no normal hinge. The "handle" for it is of strange design and it fell apart in 2 or 3 days.
Faceplate arrived attached so tight it bent the drift rod getting it loose.
Lathe was covered with excess cosmoline.
All above are minor . The main important things were OK.
For a first time user this is a good start.
People at Amazon were GREAT WITH ME on this matter.
Safe turning . Lou

Features of Jet 708376 JWL-1220 12-inch X 20-inch Wood Lathe

Jet 708376 Mini Lathe

Shaping, smoothing, finishing, fluting, and veining can now all be done on one efficient, portable machine. The Jet 708376 JWL-1220 12 x 20-Inch Wood Lathe is a dream come true for any lathe enthusiast with a home shop. Boasting a host of user-friendly features, like a cord wrap and built-in work light, this powerful machine handles both small and large projects with ease.

The JET JWL-1220 12 x 20-inch
Wood Lathe offers:
A powerful 3/4HP motor for turning bigger projects
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 a heavy-duty cast-iron lathe bed

Moving the belt between the five available pulley positions is fast, tool-free, and easy.

This portable lathe supports stock up to 12 inches in diameter and 20 inches in length.

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

The convenient worklight offers improved lighting right on the workpiece.
Powerful 3/4 HP Motor for Increased Capacity
Able to support stock measuring up to 12 inches in diameter and 20 inches in length, the JWL-1220 owes its robust performance to a powerful 3/4 HP motor that easily handles increased capacity without any interruption in its operation. The motor's flexibility allows you to tackle bigger projects or materials of various sizes without bogging down your lathe, and it also ensures consistent RPM through a much wider range of turning situations.

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. It also 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 a hollow tailstock allows you to perform long hole boring for lamps and other vessels.

Cam-Lock Mechanism for Tool-Free Adjustments
Designed to be easy to operate, the JWL-1220 includes a cam-lock mechanism that gives you the freedom to adjust the headstock, tailstock, and tool-rest base without tools. There's also a built-in work light to illuminate your workspace as well as your workpiece while turning so you're able to see your results during every step of the work process.

Carry Handles and Cord Wrap for True Portability
Measuring 15.5 x 12 x 32 (WxHxD) and weighing 98.3 pounds, the truly portable JWL-1220 has integrated, large-diameter, retractable carry handles and a cord wrap for convenient storage of the six-foot power cord. It also comes with both six-inch and 10-inch tool-rests for versatility, a storage tray, and a three-inch faceplate.

For added peace of mind, the JWL-1220 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
Lathe, one six-inch tool-rest, one10-inch tool-rest, one faceplate, one drift rod, one live center, one spur center, one pair of safety goggles, one tool caddy, one work lamp, one owner's manual, warranty card, one three-millimeter hex wrench, and one five-millimeter hex wrench.

1.) Cast iron bed adds greater stability;
2.) Powerful 3/4-horsepower motor;
3.) Indexing capabilities allow fluting;
4.) Convenient spindle lock;
5.) Long hole boring operations;

Package Height x Length x Width: 32 in. x 32 in. x 15.5 in.
Package Weight: 220 lbs.