JET 16 by 40 EVS wood lathe (JWL-1640EVS) review
40 to 3,200 RPM on a household circuit, and the face shield that is not optional.
A reversible 16 by 40 inch wood lathe with electronic variable speed from 40 to 3,200 RPM and an enclosed inverter.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 16 in swing by 40 in between centres |
| Motor | 1-1/2 HP, 115V single phase |
| Speed | Electronically variable from 40 to 3,200 RPM |
| Rotation | Reversible |
| Headstock | Extended spindle nose housing dual spindle bearings |
| Tailstock | Quill locking mechanism with an anti-rotation key |
| Banjo | Non-marring positive locking wedge system |
| Spindle lock | Latch type, freeing both hands |
| Indexing | 36 integrated positions |
| Inverter | Enclosed |
Specifications above come from JET's published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- 40 RPM at the bottom of the range is the specification that matters most. A rough, out-of-balance bowl blank has to be started slowly, and a lathe whose slowest speed is 400 RPM makes that genuinely dangerous.
- Electronic variable speed means you change speed with a dial rather than by moving a belt, which sounds like convenience and is actually a safety feature, because people change speed when it is easy.
- Reversible rotation is a real advantage when sanding a bowl, because reversing removes the sanding scratches the forward direction leaves behind.
- 36 indexing positions turn the lathe into a layout tool for fluting, drilling equally spaced holes and decorative work without a separate jig.
- It runs on 115V, which puts a 16 inch lathe within reach of a garage shop that has not been rewired.
Where it falls short
- 1-1/2 HP is adequate rather than generous for a 16 inch swing. A large, heavy blank taking an aggressive cut will load the motor, and the honest response is a lighter cut rather than a bigger lathe.
- Lathe weight is what damps vibration, and a lathe at this price is lighter than a cast iron production machine. Bolting it down or ballasting the stand makes a real difference on big work.
- Turning tools need constant sharpening, and a sharpening setup is a genuine additional cost that first-time buyers routinely leave out of the budget. Our waterstones versus diamond plates comparison covers the options.
- 40 inches between centres is generous for bowls and limiting for long spindle work such as bed posts or porch columns. Check the length of what you intend to turn.
- Turning produces fine dust and long ribbons, and a lathe is one of the harder machines to collect from because the chip stream direction changes with every cut.
What owners report
Owner reports converge on the speed range and the reverse function. The low end gets credited by bowl turners specifically, because starting a rough blank at 40 RPM and bringing it up as it comes into balance is the correct technique and many lathes will not do it. Reverse gets credited by anyone who sands on the lathe, for the obvious reason.
The consistent criticism is mass. Owners turning heavy, large diameter work report bolting the lathe down or loading the stand with sandbags or concrete, and report that it solves the problem. That is a normal thing to do with a lathe at this weight and it is worth planning for rather than discovering.
Turning safety is different from the rest of the shop, and the difference matters. Wear a full face shield, not safety glasses. A bowl blank that comes off a lathe or a chunk that separates from a crack does not go where glasses protect. Our safety glasses versus face shield comparison explains why. Inspect every blank for cracks and bark inclusions before mounting it, start slow and only bring the speed up once the piece is round and balanced, and never stand in the firing line while you do. Hearing protection matters less on a lathe than on a planer, but turning dust matters more than people expect: it is fine, it stays airborne, and some species including western red cedar and several exotics are documented respiratory sensitisers. A properly fitted respirator, not a disposable dust mask, is the right equipment for sanding on the lathe.
Who it suits
- Bowl turners who have outgrown a midi lathe and want 16 inches of swing.
- Anyone who sands on the lathe and wants reverse to clean up scratch patterns.
- Shops on 115V that cannot supply 230V to a lathe.
Who should skip it
- Spindle turners making pens, boxes and small work, who are well served by a midi lathe at a third of the price.
- Anyone turning very heavy or very large diameter work, who needs a heavier machine and more horsepower.
- People turning long architectural spindles beyond 40 inches.
Alternatives worth considering
Two inches less swing and one less horsepower for around $1,500 less, from the same maker. For turners whose bowls are 12 inches and under, that is a lot of saving for capacity they were not going to use.
Check price on AmazonThe same 16 inch swing for around $900 less, with 24 inches between centres instead of 40. If you turn bowls rather than long spindles, the shorter bed costs you nothing and saves real money.
Check price on AmazonA third of the price for a variable speed midi lathe, which is the right machine for pens, boxes, handles and bowls up to about 12 inches. Buy this first if you are not yet certain turning is your thing.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Why does a lathe need to run as slow as 40 RPM?
Because a rough bowl blank is heavy, out of round and out of balance, and starting it fast is how a lathe walks across a floor or a blank leaves the chuck. The correct technique is to start slowly, true the piece, then bring the speed up as it comes into balance. A lathe whose minimum speed is several hundred RPM makes that impossible, which is why the bottom of the range is a genuine safety specification.
Do I need reverse on a wood lathe?
For sanding, it is a real benefit: sanding in one direction leaves a scratch pattern, and reversing removes it. For cutting, reverse is used less often and requires a chuck that will not unthread, so check your workholding before using it. It is not essential, and turners who have it use it constantly.
What safety gear does woodturning need?
A full face shield, worn every time. Safety glasses are not adequate on a lathe, because the hazard is a piece of wood the size of your fist leaving the machine at speed rather than a chip in the eye. Inspect blanks for cracks before mounting, stand out of the line of the work when you start it, and use a fitted respirator when sanding, because turning dust is fine and some species are documented respiratory sensitisers.
JET 1640EVS or a midi lathe: which should I buy?
If your work is pens, boxes, handles and small bowls, a midi lathe does all of it for a third of the price and takes up a quarter of the space. The 1640EVS earns its money when you want 16 inch bowls, when you need the 40 RPM bottom end for rough blanks, and when you want reverse for sanding. Buying the big lathe first is a common and expensive way to find out you prefer spindle work.
What else do I need to budget for?
Turning tools, a chuck with jaws to suit your work, and a sharpening setup, which together often come to a meaningful fraction of the lathe price. Sharpening in particular is not optional: a dull turning tool tears rather than cuts and makes the whole exercise unpleasant. Our sharpening comparison covers the options for keeping edges keen.
Keep reading
- Waterstones vs diamond plates compared
- Safety glasses vs face shield compared
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This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.