“This is not a bad machine. It has a nice feature set with indexing, etc. But be clear on what it is. It is not a high-powered machine regardless of its 1hp rating. The 1221 has four speeds where the top end is where the motor is running at full speed and the lathe has maximum torque. Speed reduction is accomplished by a potentiometer to reduce motor speed and torque. This means that as the speed decreases on a given belt, the torque decreases along with it. At a 900/60 ratio, the bottom end will have .07 the torque of the top end. (If it is linear. I suspect it isnâ€™t.) If you run this lathe on the low belt at about 200 rpm, you can stop it with your hand. Easily. Mechanical systems, such as manual belts or Reeves pulleys, preserve or increase the torque as the speed reduces because the motor is always running at full speed giving the lathe maximum horsepower. So: if you like the feature set and can live with the weak torque at slow speeds, this might be the lathe for you. As for me, Iâ€™m out a grand for a lathe I donâ€™t want. NOTE: Woodcraft does not take returns on power tools. If you walk out of the store with it, you own it and the only way to deal with a problem is warranty repair. So, as stated above, Be Clear On What You Want.”

5 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

DW From Plani

Verified Reviewer

“I have turned on Oneways and Powermatics at the Dallas Maker space. I can't afford either. I can affort the 1221vs. It has been excellent. I find I can turn bowl blanks up to 10-15 lbs easily (that's about a 10" diameter x 5" piece of walnut). Anything heavier (like a 12" x 6" walnut blank), I have to rough out at the Makerspace then finishing it on the 1221is easy. After 6 months of heavy usage, I had a minor problem with the lathe. Tech support was great at solving the problem!”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“have owned for a few years, no problems, works great. don't think you are going to turn anything 21 inches long. by the time you add a chuck and tailstock, 17 inches is about all you can do, unless you plunk down another 150 for extension and even more for extended stand. a problem for me i like to turn spindles. live and learn!”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

RS From Shelbyville

Verified Reviewer

“During Black Friday, you'll see Jet offer a version of this lathe that is 100% pulley speed controlled while being $150 less. Outside of the pulley, the lathe is the exact same. Jet did a great job building this tool at a price that is easier to commit to, without that regret that you should've bought a full-size lathe. When time passes and you want to make longer projects like custom spindles, the ability to buy a bed extension will further delay the need to upgrade to a full-size lathe. The real driver to upgrade is if you want to make bowls that are larger than the 12" throw. Carbide turning tools really help the learning curve if you're new at woodturning, and I highly recommend doing some classes or watching videos if you haven't touched a lathe before; there will be a lot of times when you think the lathe is underperforming when it is actually a product of poor technique. Don't expect the motor to perform at the same level as the full-size lathes.The tailstock & banjo are robust, and you'll get a couple of tool rests along with hardware to keep the tools attached to the lathe. Some good accessories: Stand, Nova chuck, lathe drill chuck, face shield, calipers, and some Dust-Right dust collection equipment (made by that 'other' woodworking retailer)”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

RS From Shelbyville

Verified Reviewer

“During Black Friday, you'll see Jet offer a version of this lathe that is 100% pulley speed controlled while being $150 less. Outside of the pulley, the lathe is the exact same. Jet did a great job building this tool at a price that is easier to commit to, without that regret that you should've bought a full-size lathe. When time passes and you want to make longer projects like custom spindles, the ability to buy a bed extension will further delay the need to upgrade to a full-size lathe. The real driver to upgrade is if you want to make bowls that are larger than the 12" throw. Carbide turning tools really help the learning curve if you're new at woodturning, and I highly recommend doing some classes or watching videos if you haven't touched a lathe before; there will be a lot of times when you think the lathe is underperforming when it is actually a product of poor technique. Don't expect the motor to perform at the same level as the full-size lathes.The tailstock & banjo are robust, and you'll get a couple of tool rests along with hardware to keep the tools attached to the lathe. Some good accessories: Stand, Nova chuck, lathe drill chuck, face shield, calipers, and some Dust-Right dust collection equipment (made by that 'other' woodworking retailer)”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

RS From Shelbyville

Verified Reviewer

“During Black Friday, you'll see Jet offer a version of this lathe that is 100% pulley speed controlled while being $150 less. Outside of the pulley, the lathe is the exact same. Jet did a great job building this tool at a price that is easier to commit to, without that regret that you should've bought a full-size lathe. When time passes and you want to make longer projects like custom spindles, the ability to buy a bed extension will further delay the need to upgrade to a full-size lathe. The real driver to upgrade is if you want to make bowls that are larger than the 12" throw. Carbide turning tools really help the learning curve if you're new at woodturning, and I highly recommend doing some classes or watching videos if you haven't touched a lathe before; there will be a lot of times when you think the lathe is underperforming when it is actually a product of poor technique. Don't expect the motor to perform at the same level as the full-size lathes.The tailstock & banjo are robust, and you'll get a couple of tool rests along with hardware to keep the tools attached to the lathe. Some good accessories: Stand, Nova chuck, lathe drill chuck, face shield, calipers, and some Dust-Right dust collection equipment (made by that 'other' woodworking retailer)”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

“Just received this lathe yesterday and to say the least im disappointed. Straight out of the box I noticed a vibration/wobble in the headstock. Put a pen mandrel on and tried to turn a few projects and now the wobble is worse. Iâ€™ve been turning on a cheap $150 Wen lathe I picked up on amazon and never had an issue. Decide to upgrade to this supposed â€œgoodâ€”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

SM From Baltimore

Verified Reviewer

“After kicking it around for months and looking at powermatic, Nova and others..... I settled on the Jet 1221VS from woodcraft. I could not be happier with this lathe. Solid quality throughout. Very heavy. Never bogs down, no matter what kind of hardwood you turn. Motor is very quiet. And ZERO vibration. Great lathe. My only complaint is I wish the bed was a true "21 inches". Its actually more like 18". Of course this can be remedied by purchasing the extension. But all in all, a great buy and addition to my woodshop.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

12" x 21" Variable Speed Wood Lathe - 1 HP 1 Ph 115V - 1221VS Reviews