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The short answer: buy the JWL-1015VS if you mostly turn pens, ornaments, bottle stoppers and small spindles and want the smallest, lightest JET. Buy the JWL-1221VS if you want bowls as well, or suspect you will soon: it adds a 1 HP motor, a 60 RPM low end, reverse, a digital readout and about 5 more inches between centers. If you came here searching for the JET mini lathe JML-1014, that is the older model the 1015VS has effectively replaced, and you are probably looking at a used machine.
Both current lathes carry JET's five-year warranty, share MT2 tapers and sit on a bench. The differences are capacity, power and speed control, and they matter more than the price gap suggests.
JWL-1015VS vs JWL-1221VS at a glance
| JWL-1015VS | JWL-1221VS | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Pens and small work | Bowls and most turners |
| Swing over bed | 10 in. | 12-1/2 in. |
| Distance between centers | 15-1/2 in. | 20-1/2 in. (about 43 in. with extension) |
| Motor | 1/2 HP, 115V, 4 A | 1 HP, 115V, 6 A |
| Speed ranges | 200–1,050, 300–1,750, 600–3,600 RPM | 60–900, 110–1,800, 220–3,600 RPM |
| Reverse | Not listed | Yes |
| Digital readout | Not listed | Yes |
| Indexing | 24 positions | 24 positions |
| Spindle and tapers | MT2 spindle and quill | 1 in. x 8 TPI, MT2 both ends, 3/8 in. bore |
| Weight | About 78 lb (shipping) | About 121 lb (net) |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| Amazon | Check price | Check price |
Specs are from JET's literature and major retailer spec sheets.
Which of these lathes fit your work?
Enter a size to filter the table above. Tap a column heading to sort.
Diameter is checked against swing over the bed, which is the maximum; the practical limit over the banjo is smaller. Length is checked against distance between centers. Figures come from the table above, so a lathe with an unlisted spec stays visible.
The differences, one by one
1. Capacity
The 1015VS swings 10 inches and holds 15-1/2 inches between centers. That is plenty for pens, which are typically around 5 inches, ornaments, bottle stoppers, boxes and tool handles. The 1221VS swings 12-1/2 inches and holds 20-1/2 inches between centers, and JET's optional bed extension adds about 22 inches for roughly 43 inches, enough for table legs. In practice, the 1221VS handles bowls up to about 10 inches; the 1015VS is comfortable at 6 to 7 inches.
2. Motor and torque
The 1015VS has a 1/2 HP motor rated at 4 amps. It is ideal for small work and will turn a small bowl, but it slows with heavy cuts in dense wood. The 1221VS doubles that to 1 HP at 6 amps, with a 10-amp circuit recommended. If you plan to turn bowls from wet wood, that extra power is the reason to step up.
3. Low-end speed
This is the most important difference for safety. The American Association of Woodturners recommends starting unbalanced work at a low speed and increasing only once it runs without vibration. The 1221VS starts at 60 RPM, one of the lowest figures on any benchtop lathe. The 1015VS starts at 200 RPM, which is fine for spindles and balanced work but less forgiving with a lumpy bowl blank.
4. Reverse and readout
JET lists forward and reverse with a smooth transition on the 1221VS, along with a digital readout. Reverse helps when sanding bowls, because sanding in both directions removes scratches faster. Neither feature appears on the 1015VS spec sheets we checked.
5. Speed changes
Both lathes split their speed into three belt ranges with electronic variable speed inside each. To move between ranges you open the belt cover and move the belt, so pick the range that suits your project and stay in it.
6. Size and weight
At about 78 lb shipping, the 1015VS can be carried by one strong person and stored on a shelf. The 1221VS weighs about 121 lb net and needs a solid bench or JET's stand. More mass also means less vibration with bigger work.
Which JET is better for pens?
Both. Pens are small, light and balanced, so they need neither the 1221VS's extra power nor its 60 RPM start. The 1015VS's 600–3,600 RPM high range covers pen turning comfortably, its MT2 tapers take standard pen mandrels, and its smaller footprint leaves more room on the bench for a pen press and drilling setup. If pens are all you plan to make, the 1015VS is the more sensible machine. If pens are where you start, but bowls are on your list, buy the 1221VS once rather than twice.
Which JET is better for bowls?
The 1221VS, clearly. Bowl blanks are heavier, often out of round, and spin at a larger diameter, so they benefit from every advantage the bigger lathe has: double the motor power, a 60 RPM start, reverse for sanding and an extra 2-1/2 inches of swing. The 1015VS will turn small, balanced, dry bowl blanks of 6 to 7 inches, but it is working at its limit there. For the full method, see our wood bowl turning guide.
Setting up either JET mini lathe
- Bolt it to a solid bench or stand. A light bench shakes with any imbalance; add weight low on the stand if you can.
- Set the height. The AAW's rule of thumb puts the spindle around the height of your heart and no lower than your elbow.
- Light the work. A movable lamp at the headstock shows tool marks you will miss under ceiling lights.
- Clean the tapers before inserting centers; a burr or chip stops a center from seating.
- Start in the lowest belt range for anything new, and set the dial to minimum before switching on.
- Wear a face shield. The American Association of Woodturners recommends a full face shield whenever the lathe is running.
What about the JET JML-1014?
The JML-1014 was JET's earlier 10-inch mini lathe. Fine Woodworking's tool guide lists it alongside a JML-1014VS with built-in variable speed, and JET also offered a variable-speed retrofit kit for the original. JET's current mini lathe is the JWL-1015VS, so a JML-1014 for sale today is almost always used.
A used JML-1014 can still be a good starter lathe. Before you buy one:
- Run it at every speed and listen for bearing noise.
- Check the belts and, on VS versions, the speed control.
- Confirm the spindle thread and taper so you can buy accessories.
- Check that parts and manuals are still available for that exact model.
Our used vs new wood lathe guide has a full inspection checklist.
JET mini lathe accessories
- Chuck: the 1221VS uses a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle, so most mini and midi chucks fit; confirm the 1015VS thread in its manual before you order. See our best wood lathe chucks.
- Stand: JET sells a stand for the 1221VS; a heavy bench works for either lathe.
- Bed extension: available for the 1221VS for long spindles.
- Pen mandrel: both use MT2, the most common pen-mandrel taper. Our pen turning kits guide covers the rest.
Choose the JWL-1015VS if…
- You mainly turn pens, ornaments, bottle stoppers and small spindles
- You have limited bench space or need to move the lathe
- You want JET quality and warranty in the smallest package
- Bowls are not your focus
Choose the JWL-1221VS if…
- You want to turn bowls up to about 10 inches
- You value a 60 RPM start for out-of-round blanks
- You want reverse for sanding and a digital readout
- You may want a bed extension for longer spindles later
For a wider comparison, including RIKON, Laguna and WEN, see our best mini wood lathes guide and our full JET wood lathe review.
JET JWL-1015VS 10 in. x 15 in. Variable Speed Wood Lathe
by JET
JET JWL-1221VS 12 in. x 21 in. Variable Speed Wood Lathe
by JET
FAQ
What is the best JET mini lathe?
For pens, ornaments and small spindles, the JWL-1015VS: it has a 10-inch swing, a 1/2 HP motor and a 200 RPM low end. If you want small bowls too, the JWL-1221VS is the better buy, with a 1 HP motor, 60 RPM low end, reverse and a digital readout.
Is the JET JML-1014 still made?
The JML-1014 was JET's earlier 10-inch mini lathe, sold in fixed-speed and variable-speed (JML-1014VS) versions. JET's current mini lathe is the JWL-1015VS, so a JML-1014 today is usually a used machine. Check that the motor, belts and speed control work, and confirm parts availability.
Does the JET 1015VS have reverse?
Reverse is not listed in the JWL-1015VS specs we checked. The larger JWL-1221VS lists forward and reverse with a smooth transition, which is useful for sanding bowls.
What chuck fits a JET mini lathe?
The JWL-1221VS has a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle, the most common thread on mini and midi lathes, so most 1 in. x 8 TPI chucks fit. Both lathes use MT2 tapers. Confirm your lathe's spindle thread in the manual before ordering a chuck or insert.
Do JET mini lathes need a stand?
Both are benchtop lathes. JET sells a matching stand for the JWL-1221VS, and any sturdy bench works for either. A heavy, rigid base matters more than the stand brand; add weight low on the stand if you turn bowls.
The bottom line
The JWL-1221VS is the JET mini lathe most turners should buy, because its 60 RPM start, 1 HP motor and reverse make it a capable bowl lathe that still fits on a bench. The JWL-1015VS is the better choice only if your work is small and space is tight. Skip a used JML-1014 unless it is cheap, complete and runs well.