Woodcraft has the Rikon Midi-lathe on sale for $200.00 this month. The Rikon was well reviewed in both WOOD and Fine Woodworking Magazine. However, I’ve read some posts that said Rikon has quality control problems. I am interested in turning knobs and spindles for furniture and wonder about people’s experience with the Rikon? With an added bed extension and homemade stand, will I likely ever need to upgrade if I am only turning spindles?
Woodcraft is also selling the Jet 1442 VSK for $900 and NOVA 1642-44 for $1100 (with bed extension)? Would either of these be a better long-term investment.
– Lyptus
Replies
Dear Lyptus,
The Rikon midi-lathe is an excellent buy at $200. I saw it in a Woodcraft flyer earlier this week and was almost tempted to buy one myself. (But I already have two lathes, so what could I do with a third?)
The Jet and Nova are both first-class lathes, well-received in our tool test last year. However, Woodcraft's prices appear to be regular retail, not a sale price. Even so, those two lathes are very good value for the money.
Best,
David Heim
Managing Editor
Fine Woodworking.Com
I bought one the last time they were on sale and added the extension. The unit is well made and seems to have plenty of power for its size. I have used it for pens and bottle stoppers, canes and pepper grinders.
I had to replace the bearings and Rikon was great to work with and followed up with me on the process. Talked to real people that actually had used the product! Very impressed.
If I had it to do over I would take a serious look at the variable speed Jet, although I hear it does not have as much power. Would really like a large lathe to turn some bowls but that was not in the budget at the time.
Scott
"I had to replace the bearings and Rikon was great to work with and followed up with me on the process." This is the kind of comment I see so often with Rikon products (bandsaws get the most exposure in forums). There seems to be a Rikon craze because of the prices, but so often people have problems with one thing or another, end up with downtime because parts need to be replaced. Quality Control does, indeed, seem to be a problem.
Have you tried looking for a used lathe (if money is tight)??? You haven't entered in profile information, but if you're anywhere but way out in the sticks, there's probably a Craig's List page for you to look at. Lathes come up frequently. I picked up a Jet lathe for $225. http://www.craigslist.org
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