Jet 13 x 40

rhinobywilhite

rhinobywilhite

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I will be having a new Jet 13 x 40 lathe delivered on Jan. 6 or 7.

I am getting this for Christmas and my wife suggested I do so. Is this a great wife or not?

Do any of you guys use a Jet and, if so, how do you like it? I have 2 Enco's and a Central Machinery lathe. Will get rid of the Central machinery lathe on Craigslist.
 
I have a JET 13x40 belt drive. It has suffered from centrifugal switch/switch plate/capacitor issues. The placement of the centrifugal switch for fan shroud clearance can exacerbate these issues. It may not be an issue at all with yours because my lathe has some age to it so things might be different. I am still on the original replacement motor when that was replaced under warranty during the electrical troubleshooting in the first year.

The 3 jaw as it came wasn't too bad. It was probably in the .003 range in the "off" diameters. I have since reground the jaws @ my collet OD.

I was a total lathe noob when I purchased it. The JET onsite warranty repair was golden for me due to the electrical issues. I assume that is still standard with JET. That may not be as important for you given your experience.

The machine was fairly tight when it arrived but it is still an import. I once had a gear simply fly off under the cover because it wasn't properly secured. The half nuts on these imports are often not machined very well. Mine was about average, but that might be a part to evaluate early on.

Changing belts to change the spindle RPM is a pain. Hopefully you sprung extra for the gear head.

I have a seal leaking, but like I said, it has some age to it now.

Nothing else is worthy of note that I can think of. Other than the electrical problems, it has been a very decent machine.
 
I had a JET GHB 1340.
Got a good deal on it at $3500 with a DRO. It was barely used.
Way too heavy to work with for a main lathe to me.
The inside spindle was really rough too.
Sold it and got an Eisen 12 by 36.

I do know of a legendary maker who has 2 Belt Jets.
He converted them to VFD driven. He bored and polished the spindle.
 
Kelly, like you, I bought the belt drive. I have a 6 jaw Buck chuck that will fit the D1-4 mount.

The CM lathe had an issue with a belt pulley getting loose because of the key working its way loose. I used glue to stop that and it has held for sometime.

I appreciate your comments and will keep an eye on the potential issues you mentioned. Thanks for your response.
 
Crap, I was told the through hole is smooth. That is a problem on the Central Machinery lathe.

I may have to bore and lap the through hole.
 
The inside of my spindle is rough also. I made an adapter that fastens to the rear of the spindle via set screws for holding butts and shafts.
 
The company I purchased from has a 30 day return policy. Hope I don't have to go that route.

I have a rear chuck for the lathe but collets are necessary to hold fronts when I am drilling and tapping.
 
I have a 1340 geared head Jet that I have had a for a few years. I have had no problems with it. I mainly use it for making metal and plastic parts.
 
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