Im reading over the instructions and Im not sure if it's there or not, but can you use ore dictionary entries for item inputs?

if so, whats the syntax for it?

using 'ore' instead of modname produces a working recipe in JEI;
such as"ore:ingotIron"
for "minecraft:iron_ingot"

worth noting the item output shows 'accepts any stickCopper' while the item input doesn't.
However input still accepts any 'ingotCopper'. Tested in world with my lathe.
---[edit- shows accepts any ingotCopper when there are 2 or more items in ingotCopper]---

   "machine":"lathe_basic",
   "registryName":"latheingotcopper",
   "recipeTime":400,
   "requirements":[  
      {  
         "type":"energy",
         "io-type":"input",
         "energyPerTick":10
      },
      {  
         "type":"item",
         "io-type":"output",
         "item":"ore:stickCopper",
         "amount":1
      },
      {  
         "type":"item",
         "io-type":"input",
         "item":"ore:ingotCopper",
         "amount":1
      }
   ]
}

That's pretty much the answer.