pipemakersforum.com

...curious if you folks think this might be a good upgrade. Clist listing, from an estate sale. A Jet BD920N lathe, apparently purchased in 2006 and never removed from it's crate. They're asking $1150. Any opinions on whether or not I should snap this up (if I negotiate a few hundred off) would be greatly appreciated. I can't seem to find much on an original price, perhaps this is a slightly outdated model....? Thanks all

I think those are around $1900 new with stand. I would be surprised if the model has changed much but there are other guys that know more about the machine than me. I've used one. It gets the job done. If I saw a brand new one at that price I'd go for it if I had the money.

Yeah for NIB I think it's pretty decent at 11 if you have it to spend. If you got them down from there, it could become a real sweet deal real quick. I think I paid 7 or 8 for mine as a 3rd owner and pretty used but maintained ok.
Metal lathes sell quick in my area when priced anything like decent. Like, if you didn't email them an hour after posting it's sold.
So if you decide you are in the market, better talk to them quick and don't be surprised if it's gone.
I don't think the age is any deal breaker. I'd compare it to whatever they're selling for now, and I think that's in the $1500+ range.

Yep, good deal. Any off would make it great.

TRS wrote:They're asking $1150. Any opinions on whether or not I should snap this up (if I negotiate a few hundred off) would be greatly appreciated.

As the board's newly minted lathe expert, I say definitely possibly. An unqualified maybe. In other words, the answer absolutely positively could be yes, but might be no.

Hope this helps.

I have that model. That seems like a decent deal for what is basically NOS condition. Got a screamin' deal on mine at $500, but it had definitely seen some use.

The pros and cons of the Jet 9x20 are pretty well covered here. Good value for an entry-level lathe. You can make pipes on 'em, for sure.

Buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's a good price. If you are able to spend a little more, this one is a little better for the money:

http://www.machinetoolonline.com/PM1030.html

If you go with the Jet, remember you will have about another $1000.00 to spend on tooling and a chuck if you want to turn stummels properly. The lowest priced Jet 9" I saw brand new is at $1799.00.

The problem with the older model 920n is you will have to upgrade the hold down plate and fiddle with the tail stock a little to get it running better for pipe making. It is not necessary, but it does make things a little more solid.