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New Rinkon 16x42 (70-300) vs reconditioned Nova Lathe1624-44

Robert Feingold

Robert Feingold

Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
119
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Location
Brooklyn, NY
Does anybody have an opinion about the 2 lathes:
New Rinkon 16x42 (70-300) -$1,499
vs
Reconditioned Nova Lathe1624-44-$1,699
I do mostly faceplate turning-bowls-medium hollowing.
This for a second location-i'm looking to save money. $200 is not a major issue.
Thanks,
Rob
 
Do you mean Rikon?

Have used the Rikon 12" and the 20" Woodfast based Rikon.
Both did what I needed.
I wasn't impressed enough to recommend either of those machines.

Haven't seen the 16" except in pictures.

Al
 
Looks like the Rikon is the standard 1642 clone with a twist. Option to turn the head or slide. Only objection I have is the centered toolpost in the banjo. I'd rather it was offset.

Since Woodcraft peddles it, I'll bet you could get some turn on one if you asked. I have the Nova 3000, ancestor of the 1642, and it's a good lathe. No real complaints to register.
 
You are talking about the Nova DVR not the 1624-44. I myself would not hesitate, I would choose the DVR. I had problems in the past with a Rikon lathe and would not be bothered to get one again, although I believe that the problems were finally taken care of. The reconditioned 1624-44 sells for $899. Just to note the DVR does not come with a stand but it can be wired for 220 which makes it a 2.3 HP lathe. The main distraction for the DVR is how the variable speed works, a push button ramping system that some complain about. I have never had a problem with that and I bounce between it and a Powermatic daily.
Bill
 
The Nova DVR is a fine lathe. I think that they are great, but I do have a couple concerns about direct drive. The first is not an insurmountable obstacle by any means -- if you do vacuum chucking it just means that you will need to get a rotary coupler to go on the business end of the headstock unless I overlooked the part about a hollow spindle. The other concern is more significant -- the DVR uses a stepper motor and the air-gap clearance between the stationary field and rotor is only several thousandths of an inch. Since many woodturners crank a lot of tailstock pressure to "help" hold a large out of balance piece of wood, there is the probability of brinelling the bearing races from excessive axial loading. That would be bad enough on the typical belt driven spindle, but potentially destructive to the motor if the rotor and field core wore against each other. Hopefully, Technatool has beefed up the bearings of the DVR over the typical stepper motor bearings. Motors in general don't like axial loads or overhung radial loads.

Replacing the bearings in close clearance motors is a big deal and not something that someone without specialized tooling could do.
 
The 16/24 doesn't have DVR and is an excellent all around lathe. I'm heard mixed reviews of the Rikon's. I would go with the 16/24. I had the Nova 3000 and 16/24 corrected all the little things I didn't like about the 3000 so it's hard not to recommend it.
 
The DVR does have a hollow spindle. I use a vacuum coupler from JTTurningTools
 
Rob,

If it is in fact a DVR that you are considering, you are welcome to come visit me and play with mine to get a better idea of its capabilities.
 
An ex Nova dealer (who will remain anonymous) told me that the new model of DVR's are made in China and are having alot of repair issues and that I should stay far away from them. Maybe that's why there are a constant supply of recondition units available from the manufacturer?
He also said that the previous models are excellent machines and i would do better to try to find one of them (seems impossible).
Has anybody heard the same thing?
Rob
 
Robert,
I like Alan would not hesitate to get another DVR and I may do so as I'm waiting to see a sale price on the 20" version down the road.
Bill
 
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