Next year I want to set up a duplicator for the lathe. I've been doing a lot of research from the guys who built their own and posted the pictures and how-to information. I must say, you guys have some impressive set ups. I've also considered buying one but the price tag on the Vega is more than I'd like to pay. Is there another manufacturer priced less that will will fit a Jet Mini? Or should I just try to build one myself? Just wondering what you guys think.

build your own and if it doesn't work out try to improve on it, it that doesn't make it go for a store built.

Penn State has a cheaper dup for the Vega. It runs around $115. It looks to be alot easier to set up. Might be just what you are looking for.

Penn State has a cheaper dup for the Vega. It runs around $115. It looks to be alot easier to set up. Might be just what you are looking for.

I have the Penn State one. It does a good job.

If you are pretty good at building stuff, using the ideas guys have posted here to build your own would be the way to go. If you are like me and could f up an anvil with a feather, buying one would be a better solution. I've owned both the Penn State (had it mounted on my Grizzly) and the Vega (have it on the Jet). Sold the Penn State to a friend after I got the Vega. The Vega is definitely the better one. If you get the Penn State, mrpogie posted some good info on SOL a few years back on how to set up templates with it. Waaaay better info than the directions Penn State gave. When using the Penn State, I found it best to at least round off the blank prior to using the dup. On the Vega, I just go from square stock to plug. Big concideration is how many plugs you intend to build. If you are doing 100's, the Vega may be the better option.

Jigman

Thanks for all the information. I'm seriously considering making my own. The Penn State one does looking tempting though. Good thing a few months to figure it out.

if you want to buy keep an eye on ebay, got my like new vega for half the price. only one or two other people even bid on it.

Right now there's some guy with one that has been collecting dust for months.....take it off his hands

If you buy the penn state - I'll give you the carbide cutter I have. I ordered it accidentally and never returned it. I posted about it a time or two and nobody took me up on it.