JET JWL-1221VS, 12"x21" Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe (719200)

I found that changing the belt for the various speed ranges was relatively simple, and the locking mechanism is excellent. I wish the LCD display and speed knob were a little larger, but I'll make do; it takes a few seconds to get up to speed, but once there, it runs smoothly and quietly. The banjo and tail stock both glide smoothly and lock into place with ease. Overall, I'm happy with the lathe, and I would have given it five stars if it weren't for the missing mounting hole. I strongly suggest purchasing the lathe; however, be aware that shipping may be of poor quality. br>br>My only criticism of the lathe is the lack of quality control, which has resulted in a one-star reduction. Three of the mounting holes are threaded for the supplied bolts, but the fourth hole is non-threaded for all intents and purposes. existent. Either it's full of something or it was never drilled and tapped in the first place. It should never have left wherever it was made like this; it's only mounted to the stand with three bolts; I own a few (expensive) Jet tools, and this is the first one that wasn't of good quality. br>br>My main concern, as shown in the photos, was how the lathe would be handled during shipment. The box was dropped several times (about 140 lbs), and the banjo and tail stock both came loose; thankfully, the only damage was scraped paint. When the box was delivered, pieces fell out, and one was discovered in the street after the UPS truck had driven away. Both straps had vanished, and only the indentation where they had been indicated that they had once been present.

Melany English

| Apr 16, 2021

Because Jet tech support was unable to assist me, I returned the lathe to Amazon. I figured it was just "bad luck" with the first one, so I re-did it. The same lathe was ordered in the hopes of receiving one that was not defective; however, the second lathe arrived with the same presumed defective headstock bearing and performed in the same manner as the first. I also returned this lathe to Amazon, who graciously refunded me the full amount and paid for both return shipping costs, no questions asked!.

Julius Manning

| Dec 31, 2020

Back in July, I purchased this lathe. The frame had a crack near the switch, as seen in the photo, and the switch was popped out. The package appeared to be in good condition, and the styrofoam packaging was intact. This is how I believe it was sent out. I didn't think the crack would affect the structural integrity or performance because it didn't go all the way across. I was able to re-insert the switch. Because it's so heavy, I didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it. It was mounted on a table and put to use without cracking. I've successfully turned a number of pepper mills. It runs smoothly and I enjoy it in general; the variable speed feature is particularly useful. As others have stated, I deducted one star due to a lack of quality control. I repaired the crack by slightly grinding it out and filling it with JB Weld, and there hasn't been any further cracking since.

Winnie Sexton

| Nov 15, 2021

Here we have a brand new turner. So far, I've completed two file handles and begun work on a bowl. More experienced turners may hold different opinions, but since I see so many of them using Jet 1221VS lathes in their YouTube videos, I assume they like them just as much as we do. We became interested in doing it ourselves after witnessing them turn. Advantages: br>br>
- sturdily constructed, hefty cast ironbr>- The live center and the spur are perfectly aligned. br>- Changing rotational speed ranges is simple with the drive belt. br> When it's running, it's SO QUIETbr>- The tail stock and tool rest base are easy to move, lock in place, and stay put without slipping. br>- THE USER'S MANUAL IS OUTSTANDING; I understand that most of us dislike reading manuals, but this one is jam-packed with useful information and even has a few dry witticisms. br>br>Cons:
- It's too heavy for me to move alone, which is a plus, but I won't be able to move this if no one else is home. br>- It's pricey, but we're hoping this will be the last lathe we ever buy, so there's that.

Jane Wong

| Jan 09, 2021

I decided to call Jet to see if he could help me, and whoa. Dealing with them was not a pleasant experience. As a result, four stars are awarded. I could have avoided them if I needed assistance, and you should consider doing the same.

Tiana McBride

| May 26, 2021

I was very disappointed after unboxing. The "control panel" was simply suspended in mid-air by its wiring. Then I noticed a significant crack in the casting. You'd think that if I spent a little more and got what I thought was a better unit, I wouldn't have these problems, and of course, after unboxing, the wife immediately trashes the box it came in without my knowledge. So now I'm stuck with a shoddy unit and no way to return it. The packaging was in excellent condition upon delivery. There is no damage at all, indicating that the damage was already present when the unit was packaged. And after reading a slew of reviews, it appears that we've all had the same problems, indicating that purchasing this was a complete waste of money. Hopefully, this company will be able to stand behind their products. Let's see how things turn out.

Katie Levy

| Oct 04, 2021

I bought the JET JWL_1221VS from Amazon and it arrived quickly. As usual, it is now time. I was worried that the lathe had been dropped because the Styrofoam inside the box was severely damaged. The tail- The stock, on the other hand, had not been tightened, resulting in the damage to the Styrofoam. The drive center and tail stock center were slightly out of alignment, which was corrected by loosening the adjustment screws underneath and shimming it over, as described in other reviews on this site. br>The digital variable speed control on the lathe is fantastic and makes working with it a breeze. The speed isn't a guessing game because the readout tells you exactly what it is. br>br>Excellent item. br>br>.

Aya Knight

| Oct 24, 2021