Jet 9 20

[brownred]

I would like to here some feedback from those of you who have the Jet 9 20 to make your pipes.
Can you name the pros and cons? Would you buy it again or no? If no, then what would you buy knowing what you know now?
Also, do they make a tool rest for the Jet 9 20 so you can use wood lathe tools if need be?

Thanks

[Alden]

The Jet 920 is basically the cheapest lathe that is still decent quality. It will make pipes but it lacks a lot of the features of a bigger lathe. Buy one if you find a deal somewhere, its a good lathe to learn on.

[smokindawg]

I have had and used a Jet 920 for a while now and love it. It's done pretty much everything that I've wanted it to. When I bought mine it came with a quick change tool post and lots of tooling.

They don't make a tool rest for it but I made my own and it works great.

There are also lots of upgrades a person can do to make the lathe better. I've done the tail stock upgrade and am working on others.

I got a good deal on mine and would purchase it again, in fact I'd buy all I could at the price I gave.

It's a very capable lathe for pipe making and other projects.

[Gershom]

I got one, I likes.

I think it is almost time to replace the brushes in the motor though...

I wish it was variable speed...

I would like to see more easy-tighten, easy-loosen bolts on it. But that is an issue I can live with.

It makes all the pipes I want.

Smokindawg, how did you make your tool rest? Pics please? I need one too...

[brownred]

I am also interested in how you made the tool rest and pictures also, and the tailstock and other upgrades.

[smokindawg]

Some of the mods are easily done, some not so easy. But all are not necessary for our uses.

I'll have to look for/take pictures of the tool rest.

Here is a link to most of the mods, including a variable speed setup using treadmill parts.

http://bedair.org/9x20camlock/9x20project.html

[Gershom]

Here's some upgrades too:

http://www.micro-machine-shop.com/9x20_lathe.htm

I would love to make my lathe variable speed. This guy makes it look so easy.

Jon

[e Markle]

I have two 920's: the N and W models. Pros and Cons are going to be relative to what you want to do with it, but all in all it's a good machine. That being said, here are the pros and cons according to ernie:
Pros
1. They're inexpensive. I've paid about $1700 total for two lathes - and one was brand new.
2. Replacement parts come quickly. I don't actually know what the time frame is for the PM line (scares me to think though), but Jet will send parts out ASAP.
3. Tooling is cheap. Chucks, QCTP's, etc. are very financially accessible.
4. They will allow you to make 99% of the pipes you're interested in making... unless you're Maigurs. In that case you'll just have to drill everything by hand.

Finally, you can make a really nice pipe on them. Rad Davis, Brad Pohlmann and Adam Davidson all use Jet 920's, and Jeff Gracik and Todd Johnson both have them in their shops.

Cons
1. They are not as sturdy or solid as the larger lathes. You will get much more play than with the PM's.
2. I've run into a few that have issues with the headstock not being aligned properly. You absolutely can work around this, but...

No, I wouldn't buy one again, but I did buy a second one, and I'm glad I did. I wouldn't buy a third simply because I can't utilize it. If/when I buy another lathe, it won't be a Jet 920, but only because I want to make pipes outside the 920's limits. I will eventually move to a PM (I like the 1236), but I may have a more clearly defined objective/path than a newer maker. I would certainly recommend these lathes to a newbie.

Hope this helps™

Awesome Markle

[Alden]

Awesome Markle

DUDE ! Are we allowed to give ourselves cool nicknames ?
From now on I want to be the "Blackland Madman".
Or maybe the "Grand Teuton"...
Or just "Awesome Alden".
I gotta do some thinking on this one. Thanks Awesome Markle !

[e Markle]

Awesome Markle

DUDE ! Are we allowed to give ourselves cool nicknames ?
From now on I want to be the "Blackland Madman".
Or maybe the "Grand Teuton"...
Or just "Awesome Alden".
I gotta do some thinking on this one. Thanks Awesome Markle !

Rad did it... why can't I?

I'm FREAKING AWESOME!!!

[PipesByDesign]

So now it's "freaking."

This could very quickly get out of hand.

[e Markle]

I redact my statement. I'm simply "Awesome Markle"

Hope this Helps™

[PipesByDesign]

Awesome and relatively humble. Damn. What a combo...