Anyone have any experience with this Rikon lathe:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...del-70100.aspx

Or this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RIKON-70-050...#ht_701wt_1192

I'm interested in trying my hand at turning ... but don't want to invest
a whole lot. A recent thread suggested an HF look-alike as a low-cost
option, but based on a recent experience with a belt/disc sander, I
don't want to go that route.

TIA

Larry

On 2/19/2012 12:26 PM, Gramp's shop wrote:
Anyone have any experience with this Rikon lathe:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...del-70100.aspx


Or this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RIKON-70-050...#ht_701wt_1192


I'm interested in trying my hand at turning ... but don't want to invest
a whole lot. A recent thread suggested an HF look-alike as a low-cost
option, but based on a recent experience with a belt/disc sander, I
don't want to go that route.

TIA

Larry

I cannot speak for that brand and type of lathe, However, the absolute
cheapest way to try out turning, is with a Hobby Lathe from Grizzly,
Model H2669 for only $49 plus a few tools. It is not much, being that
it uses a drill motor for the driving end. But I can tell you that I
used one for quite some time, and did much turning on model train and
cars parts. Finally upgraded to a larger wood lathe. But for a really
inexpensive start you cannot go lower price, unless you can find a
bargain used one.

Larry - a couple of the guys in my old turning club bought those
lathes. For utility value, there were really happy. The ways were
ground flat, the tailstock held in place very well, and they were able
to spin up some large pieces of wood with no problems.

Plenty of power, and just big enough to make some nice size projects.

The only downside that was reported back was (at that time... a couple
of years ago) as with all Rikon tools, the fit and finish can be
really inconsistent. If I were going to get one, I would probably put
my money down at the local Woodcraft and ask them to unbox it for me
for my personal inspection.

That way you could see for yourself what level of F/F you are getting
on the exact tool you are buying.

Robert

Thanks, Robert. I ran into the local Woodcraft guy at the Woodworking
show yesterday and am going out to the store later this week. This is
one purchase I'm going to make locally rather than online.


On 2/19/2012 1:56 PM, wrote:
Larry - a couple of the guys in my old turning club bought those
lathes. For utility value, there were really happy. The ways were
ground flat, the tailstock held in place very well, and they were able
to spin up some large pieces of wood with no problems.

Plenty of power, and just big enough to make some nice size projects.

The only downside that was reported back was (at that time... a couple
of years ago) as with all Rikon tools, the fit and finish can be
really inconsistent. If I were going to get one, I would probably put
my money down at the local Woodcraft and ask them to unbox it for me
for my personal inspection.

That way you could see for yourself what level of F/F you are getting
on the exact tool you are buying.

Robert

Try your local craigs list for one. Once you find what you want then
buy an expensive lathe.

On 2/19/2012 1:26 PM, Gramp's shop wrote:
Anyone have any experience with this Rikon lathe:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...del-70100.aspx


Or this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RIKON-70-050...#ht_701wt_1192


I'm interested in trying my hand at turning ... but don't want to invest
a whole lot. A recent thread suggested an HF look-alike as a low-cost
option, but based on a recent experience with a belt/disc sander, I
don't want to go that route.

TIA

Larry

...However, the absolute cheapest way to try out turning, is with a
Hobby Lathe from Grizzly, Model H2669 for only $49 plus a few tools.
It is not much, being that it uses a drill motor for the driving end. But
I can tell you that I used one for quite some time, and did much
turning on model train and cars parts.

Never knew Grizzly made such a lathe. Not a bad price for a drill and
accessories. What's the largest item you've turned on it?

Finally upgraded to a larger wood lathe. But for a really inexpensive
start you cannot go lower price, unless you can find a bargain used one.

I have a Jet Midii, love it, but can't carry it anywhere. Just too
heavy for me. So, I've been on the lookout for a Jet Pen Lathe...
http://www.shapingwood.com/woodworking/10692.html
....Unfortunately, the only ones I can find are already owned and their
owners are not interesting in parting with them.

Has anyone used, or know someone who has used, either of these...

Craftsman 3-Speed Mini Lathe (22106)...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=26-95436357-2

General International Pen Turning Lathe ( General 25-010 M1 )...
http://www.kmstools.com/general-gene...ng-lathe-11286

I've seen the General and it looks solid, but costs more than the
Craftsman, which oddly looks exactly the same. Both cost even more
than the Jet Pen, which retailed for $119.

I found one mini review on the Grizzly...
http://www.penturners.org/forum/f97/...i-lathe-86479/

Based on the price of the General, I can't see trading in my Jet Midi
for it, or the Craftsman. I suspect unless I can find a used Jet Pen
at a yard sale, I'm not going be able to take my show on the road.

`Casper

On 2/20/2012 12:30 PM, Casper wrote:
...However, the absolute cheapest way to try out turning, is with a
Hobby Lathe from Grizzly, Model H2669 for only $49 plus a few tools.
It is not much, being that it uses a drill motor for the driving end. But
I can tell you that I used one for quite some time, and did much
turning on model train and cars parts.

Never knew Grizzly made such a lathe. Not a bad price for a drill and
accessories. What's the largest item you've turned on it?

Finally upgraded to a larger wood lathe. But for a really inexpensive
start you cannot go lower price, unless you can find a bargain used one.


`Casper

In answer to your question of what was the largest item that I made with
it, (the drill motor lathe) I offer the following links to pictures.

The first was every round part on the train model which is 3 feet long,
engine, wheels, etc.. Give time for the pictures to come into focus.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/trains.htm

The next are several models, a John Deer Tractor, every round part. A
Bulldozer round parts, and a 1930 Dusenberg auto, all round parts
including the wheels.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/models.htm

After those I went to a larger lathe, a Grizzly G0624 10 inch lathe.
These only show what can be done with the simplest of tools. I am not
saying that it is great work, but when there is limited funds, there is
still a way.

"godsword" wrote in message
m...

On 2/20/2012 12:30 PM, Casper wrote:
...However, the absolute cheapest way to try out turning, is with a
Hobby Lathe from Grizzly, Model H2669 for only $49 plus a few tools.
It is not much, being that it uses a drill motor for the driving end. But
I can tell you that I used one for quite some time, and did much
turning on model train and cars parts.

Never knew Grizzly made such a lathe. Not a bad price for a drill and
accessories. What's the largest item you've turned on it?

Finally upgraded to a larger wood lathe. But for a really inexpensive
start you cannot go lower price, unless you can find a bargain used one.


`Casper

In answer to your question of what was the largest item that I made with
it, (the drill motor lathe) I offer the following links to pictures.

The first was every round part on the train model which is 3 feet long,
engine, wheels, etc.. Give time for the pictures to come into focus.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/trains.htm

The next are several models, a John Deer Tractor, every round part. A
Bulldozer round parts, and a 1930 Dusenberg auto, all round parts
including the wheels.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/models.htm

After those I went to a larger lathe, a Grizzly G0624 10 inch lathe.
These only show what can be done with the simplest of tools. I am not
saying that it is great work, but when there is limited funds, there is
still a way.
================================================== ===============
Well, if you won't say it, I will. Great work. Truly, very, very impressive.

In answer to your question of what was the largest item that I made with
it, (the drill motor lathe) I offer the following links to pictures.

The first was every round part on the train model which is 3 feet long,
engine, wheels, etc.. Give time for the pictures to come into focus.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/trains.htm

The next are several models, a John Deer Tractor, every round part. A
Bulldozer round parts, and a 1930 Dusenberg auto, all round parts
including the wheels.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/models.htm

After those I went to a larger lathe, a Grizzly G0624 10 inch lathe.
These only show what can be done with the simplest of tools. I am not
saying that it is great work, but when there is limited funds, there is
still a way. godsword

Nice work! I especially love the train and the Dusenberg. It's about
making the best use of your tools, right? So if you used the
drill-lathe on those projects, it certainly worked and was worth it. I
have yet to try a project like one of those, but I love classic cars
and may just have to try making one.

Basically I'd like to have a small lathe that I can take with me to
various places. Lugging around a midi lathe is not practical for me. I
plan on taking a closer look at that drill-lathe. Thanks for the info
and photos. Keep up the great work.
`Casper

On 2/22/2012 10:20 AM, Casper wrote:
In answer to your question of what was the largest item that I made with
it, (the drill motor lathe) I offer the following links to pictures.

The first was every round part on the train model which is 3 feet long,
engine, wheels, etc.. Give time for the pictures to come into focus.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/trains.htm

The next are several models, a John Deer Tractor, every round part. A
Bulldozer round parts, and a 1930 Dusenberg auto, all round parts
including the wheels.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/models.htm

After those I went to a larger lathe, a Grizzly G0624 10 inch lathe.
These only show what can be done with the simplest of tools. I am not
saying that it is great work, but when there is limited funds, there is
still a way. godsword

Nice work! I especially love the train and the Dusenberg. It's about
making the best use of your tools, right? So if you used the
drill-lathe on those projects, it certainly worked and was worth it. I
have yet to try a project like one of those, but I love classic cars
and may just have to try making one.

Basically I'd like to have a small lathe that I can take with me to
various places. Lugging around a midi lathe is not practical for me. I
plan on taking a closer look at that drill-lathe. Thanks for the info
and photos. Keep up the great work.
`Casper

Casper, someone mentioned it earlier - a Jet pen lathe would probably
fit the bill for you. The problem would be to find one, since they're
no longer made. I got mine some years ago (new) on eBay. I use it only
for pens, but could do bottle stoppers and small bowls and vases (2-3"
diameter max) and similar items. Great lathe; it's really a shame they
no longer make it. Took me weeks to win the bidding on one - it was a
very popular item.

Matt

In article m,
says...

On 2/22/2012 10:20 AM, Casper wrote:
In answer to your question of what was the largest item that I made with
it, (the drill motor lathe) I offer the following links to pictures.

The first was every round part on the train model which is 3 feet long,
engine, wheels, etc.. Give time for the pictures to come into focus.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/trains.htm

The next are several models, a John Deer Tractor, every round part. A
Bulldozer round parts, and a 1930 Dusenberg auto, all round parts
including the wheels.
http://www.barr-family.com/wood/models.htm

After those I went to a larger lathe, a Grizzly G0624 10 inch lathe.
These only show what can be done with the simplest of tools. I am not
saying that it is great work, but when there is limited funds, there is
still a way. godsword

Nice work! I especially love the train and the Dusenberg. It's about
making the best use of your tools, right? So if you used the
drill-lathe on those projects, it certainly worked and was worth it. I
have yet to try a project like one of those, but I love classic cars
and may just have to try making one.

Basically I'd like to have a small lathe that I can take with me to
various places. Lugging around a midi lathe is not practical for me. I
plan on taking a closer look at that drill-lathe. Thanks for the info
and photos. Keep up the great work.
`Casper

Casper, someone mentioned it earlier - a Jet pen lathe would probably
fit the bill for you. The problem would be to find one, since they're
no longer made. I got mine some years ago (new) on eBay. I use it only
for pens, but could do bottle stoppers and small bowls and vases (2-3"
diameter max) and similar items. Great lathe; it's really a shame they
no longer make it. Took me weeks to win the bidding on one - it was a
very popular item.

FWIW, Sears is selling a mini-lathe that weighs 12 pounds. Have no idea
if it's any good or not. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_
00922106000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6.

Matt