My lathe motor started smoking. Bottom line it will cost more than it's worth to fix it...new lathe! Decided on the jet mini since i have a mini and the extension bed. Two questions.. My first jet mini was an older model and had tone drilled by a machine shop to accomododate the bolts that attach the bed to the lathe. One problem it was never a smooth transition from the lathe to the extension bed. This makes thru drilling on the lathe a real pain in the but. Does any one out there haveexperience with the jet mini with the extension bed? How smooth is the transition with the tail stock from the lathe to the extension? Second is it worth the extra cost to buy the jet mini that is reversible and has a variable speed that is controlled by a nob rather than by changing belts? Thanks for your help and advise charlie

I have both the variable and extension. Takes a bit of adjusting to line them up but once done some wax keeps it smooth.The speed nob is sweet. No belt to switch around and loads of room to play with the speed at the touch of the fingers.

it should be smooth and adjusted till it is. Variable speed is nice so you can slow down the RPM's for drilling and other stuff you may want to do. If you can afford the expense it would be a nice to have. I have a crappy old lathe that has one speed, wide open, and I make out just fine. If I could afford it I would get it.

I have a mini Jet and a 14X42 Jet. The mini is not variable speed but the 42 is. I love the speed option. Changing for roughing , then speed up for turning and faster for sanding. I don't plug turn w/ 42 . I turn bats on the 42 . The mini is just fine for my plug turning as is but if I had to get another mini I would spend the xtra for the variable speed.