I use the Rikon and enjoy it. Setting the speed is annoying, but you don't need more. Power can be a problem on larger pieces. The real issue is the maximum diameter-12 inches-but that's impractical. You really need to stay under 9 or 10 inches in diameter. Otherwise, I'm really happy with it. There's a Rikon model a couple of steps up, the 70-1420VSR. It is still a midi lathe, but it comes with adjustable speed control and a 20-inch capacity. That might be my next one.
I am a total newb to turning...because I could get a HFT 10" x 18" for $240. Now...I understand that lathes are just like routers, meaning that the cost of the tool is just the start. But I gotta say that that Ricon is the spitting image of my Central Machinery unit. Having been a HFT customer since about 1986, I am well aware of the quality. It's almost like the stuff that gets QC rejected by Ricon gets a coat of grey paint and a Harbor Freight sticker, right? A few extra minutes cleaning up machining burrs...a few extra minutes filing down the divots in the tool rest...a little time checking the lockdown hardware for the banjo and tailstock. Been there...got the T-shirt. I figure that for the price I can fidget with the machine, fidget with tooling (gonna go carbide insert exclusive, as I can't sharpen for doodley-squat), and take some time to see if I actually enjoy turning. If not, I'm only out the price of the lathe. If so... maybe I'll step up to a big boy lathe. Can't know until ya try.
Some people really like tuning up and tweaking tools. I'm not one of those people. I agree with everything you've said here....I'm just more inclined to spend more money in order to spend less time fiddling and tweaking. I also started with a cheapo lathe just to find out if I liked turning, so I totally understand that idea.
@@WoodenThingsAndStuff A large part of my "tweaking and tuning" is learning about the machine itself. How strong is it? How durable is it? How tunable is it? Can I modify or upgrade components? That's part of what I can do. Not saying I can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but I might be able to manage a coin purse Would I love to start with too notch stuff? Sure. Who wouldn't? But .. until I can afford to walk into a top tier retailer and throw down lottery money on the best and finest...I do what I can do. My table saw cost me $120! $50 on an OfferUp sixty year old Delta contractor's saw with true, solid cast iron wings. $25 for new arbor bearings. $25 for a new LinkBelt. And finally, $20 for rattle can paint! Jointer, scroll saw and drill presses (yep, I got two. A regular bench top and a radial version) are all used and rebuilt, altho all the scroll saw needed was a new O-ring belt. Knowing how to repair makes it easy to tune in my mind, and knowing what I can and cannot repair makes it easy to find deals in the online marketplaces. ... granted, I am older than dirt, but younger than rocks, so decades of mechanical experience helps immensely. 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for a great comparison! My attitude toward tool buying is a) get the best-value tool my budget will allow; b) try to avoid getting the minimum that I think I need; c) if possible, get a system I can upgrade without replacing; and d) if possible, never be in hurry to buy or sell anything. If my budget for a lathe is 500 bucks, then, I'd ask, "For that amount of money, is there a benefit I can get from a brand new Rikon that I wouldn't get from that lightly-used Laguna (or similar-value Rikon)?" I've bought a lot of excellent tools used over the years, and find there are always people who get excited and invest a lot of money in new gear, then lose interest and sell it for half of less of what they paid. Buying from them, there's no warranty and I may have to clean a machine up a bit. But if I run it at all speeds and look it over well for signs of damage or high-mileage wear, I can usually get a good deal on a well-designed, dependable machine. Later, if I find I'm not using it, I can sell it quite easily and for little or no loss. Possibly more importantly for private sales, the owner may throw in a bunch of high-value accessories or offer a really good deal on them. If they're selling a Laguna lathe, for example, their ad may not even mention the full set of pristine Marples chisels or that bench grinder that has a super-high-quality sharpening wheel on one side and a hard felt wheel on the other. Obviously, you have to know a bit about what you're looking for, and sites like this one are great for figuring that out. But if you know what you're looking for, you're not in a rush, and you're ready to walk away from a doubtful deal, then the value you get for your money will go way up.
Good video. Nice comparison of those two lathes. BTW - the Laguna is rated at 1 HP while that Rikon is rated at 1/2 HP Mike, for about $700, the Rikon 70-150 has the variable speed with a movable control, reverse, tailstock eject and 1 HP that makes saving the extra $ possibly worth it. While I would love to have a Laguna lathe, I have no complaints with my Rikon 70-150. The price difference was the reason I went with the Rikon.
When I bought the Laguna I was considering the Rikon (VSR version) and it was only about $100 more to go with the Laguna, which gave me the outboard turning capacity. I also got the Laguna for 10% off (they do that sale about twice a year) which basically gave me the bed extension for (almost) free. But I'm sure I would have been happy with either choice.
You TOTALLY missed talking about motor size. Horse power counts. (I actually don't have any idea what they are}. Full disclosure.. I've been turning for 15+ years and I'm currently using a Powermatic 3520, though I've had many other lathes. I teach, and I'm an active member of several local clubs in the Nashville area and a member of AAW.
@@randywalker6531 I don't know if horsepower "counts" when you're talking about midi lathes that can all handle about the same capacity. But I'll happily have a look at the ratings and report back. Thanks for the actual contructive and not ass-holey critique that helps people get better. Happy you wanna help grow the game, so to speak.
