JET 12" x 21" Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (Model JWL-1221VS)

Hello!My new favorite hobby would not be possible without this amazing tool. I love this Lathe, but it is the only one Ive ever owned, so take that lightly. It is wonderful for beginners because it has enough power to do almost anything I want/am capable of doing yet not enough to completely destroy me if I make an error. I don't know if I'd call it a beginner lathe or not, but I don't care. I love this tool.The centering was right on point. Everything fired up without any problem. It is also very heavy, so it doesn't get thrown around much.The speed changeover for belting up and down is a GOD SEND. I wish more of my older tools used this ratcheting system because it is soooo nice. Simply press, lift, change, and press again. Click, click, click and you are ready to roll. Amazing.The rests are pretty nice and everything on the tool can be tightened down nicely. The only issue I had was that the slide would occasionally catch when I was backing it off but it was an easy fix. Overall finish is very nice.My only complaint is that it occasionally reads the wrong RPMs on the digital readout. Its documented that this is caused by low voltage, but it changes on the ON/OFF cycle, sometimes within a few seconds. It's never random-for example, it will either read 1900 or 3600 at max, never anything else. My power where I am is pretty dicey as far as voltage is concerned, so I am assuming that is the problem, but it's pretty annoying to not have a believable readout on RPMs. It also fails slow, not fast, which can be dangerous at low speeds with Cole Jaws. Luckily, I'm aware of the issue so I plan for it. This issue and that the speed knob is a little lower quality than I would like are my only issues. The whole machine is so awesome that it makes me a little sad that they cheaped out on the controls. Again, the RPM issue may be my fault. I have checked my voltage before though, and it reads fine.Given all that, I absolutely love this tool and am planning on having it for a long time.

This is an amazingly solid product, it's perfect for the new turner but high-quality enough for you to use year after year after year. You'll grow into it but won't wish you would have bought a more expensive lathe. I absolutely LOVE this thing.

Quality wood lathe - I have been turning wood for some time and this lathe is well made and does a great job. Great value as well

UPDATE: I was about to return it for the reasons below when I got through to tech support. Little did I know about the trick of freezing the quill which enabled me to finally knock out the stuck live center that came with the lathe. I've finally been able to try out the lathe and it is working quite well -- am pleased with its performance. Support also promised to replace the damaged live center and send me a wrench that will fit the face plate for removal. It has taken a while, but I can recommend the product and tech support. I can only assume that the problems I've had are probably an anomaly.******************************The product has some issues. I have some concerns about the bearings on head stock, but I can't verify the problem because the lathe is unusable in its present state. Secondly, the live center that Jet supplied already installed is jammed into the tail stock so hard it cannot be knocked out. I've tried several ways. Using the flimsy knockout bar that comes with it, all I was able to do was cause the live center to come apart (see the picture). I even purchased a sturdier steel bar that had little slop to try to knock it out, but it is just jammed in too hard -- might be a machining problem in the tail stock that has permanently locked the MT2 live center into the tail stock. I have gone to the Jet web site and have asked for response hoping to get some help but was simply put in a queue with a vague promise to get around to it. It's been a while and I guess the queue is just very long and I have a limited return window. So, I have this nice-looking lathe that I would like to use but it's unusable for what seems to be a pretty silly problem. If I don't hear from Jet in the next day or so, I'm going to have to return it and I will certainly try a different brand. Seems like a shame.Update: While waiting to hear from support, discovered the supplied wrench is not usable (not a big deal, but still annoying). Seems like a pattern to beginning to develop. Can't say quality control is problematic. Looks like I'm being forced to return the lathe

I never owned one before, but I've been using this for a year to make some pretty nice bowls. My son and I are both pleased.

New to woodturning; having a blastProduct delivered by UPS in perfect condition.Setup simple - no adjustments needed.