I wish to buy my first lathe, mainly for small to medium size objects. Several manufacturers are offering promotional discounts until Dec. 31. I’ve read that the Rikon 70-100 ($250) and the Jet 1014 ($280) are good machines.
Would you recommend either or another brand?
Also, can you recommend a good video to get me started? Any other advice is most welcomed. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.
Paul from Ivoryton, CT
Replies
I've worked with both the Delta and Jet. I just bought a Rikon for my 13yr old son for Christmas. They are all about the same. The bonus for the Rikon is the 12" swing for turning bowls. I figure I won't have to upgrade for my son for a while.
I'm just getting familiar with lathe terminology. What does "12" swing" mean?
The Feb. 2006 issue of Workbench reviewed the Rikon and wrote that it has a feature other midis don't have, viz. a 12 position indexing head.Can you tell me what that means? Is it important?
I appreciate your advice.
Bailey (Paul from Ivoryton, CT)
Swing means the largest diameter object you can turn. A lathe with a 12 in. swing can turn a bowl 12 inches in diameter.
An indexing head means that the internal shaft of the spindle has holes drilled in it and a pin that inserts in the holes and locks the spindle. In the Rikon's case every 30 degrees. An indexing head is good for evenly spacing grooves or holes around a turning, eg. sliding dovetails on a table leg. I too am looking at buying the Rikon.
Joe
Edited 12/26/2005 12:41 am ET by Joseph Jaszczak
Edited 12/26/2005 12:55 am ET by Joseph Jaszczak
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