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Rikon 70-1824 Review

Kent Reisdorph

Kent Reisdorph

Joined
Sep 19, 2023
Messages
1,333
Likes
2,618
Location
Columbia, TN
I've had my new lathe for about three weeks now. So far it's been great.

Comments
  • I have the 110v version with 1.75 HP. No issues at all with power.
  • Overall, great lathe. That, along with outstanding Rikon customer service, makes this an easy lathe to recommend in the $3,000 range.
  • Installation and setup was easier than I expected. Install the legs and the master power box and that's about it.
Pros
  • Fit and finish is good.
  • The moveable control box is a must-have for any quality lathe.
  • I like the rotating headstock. I rotate it to finish the insides of larger bowls (I don't bother on small bowls) and when sanding.
  • The middle belt speed is from 80 to 1800, pretty much perfect for what I do.
  • The tailstock has a small tool holder that will hold two live/spur centers. It's small, but at least I know right where those tools are.
  • I like the pushbutton spindle lock.
  • The legs include mounts for two shelves.
  • Tools for assembly are included. Not just your cheapo tools, either. Real wrenches as opposed to stamped steel quasi-wrenches.
Cons
  • I don't love the off switch. You push it in to stop the lathe, and then you have to turn it clockwise a quarter turn to reset it. Not a big deal, just something I have to adjust to.
  • While the overall quality is high, the "70-1824VSR" branding is just a set of stickers and is coming off already. Not a big deal, but I'll have to pull them all off eventually.
  • If you install the bed extension, there's no place to mount the tool holder.
  • The motor spins up more slowly than my old lathe. When making fine speed adjustments, there is a delay that I have to adjust to. For example, if the lathe starts to walk, it's better to shut it off, lower the speed, and turn it back on again. Otherwise it will continue to walk in the 2-3 seconds it takes to slow down. That might be an exaggeration.
  • The headstock squealed a bit for the first 15-20 minutes of operation, then it quieted down.
Overall, the cons are minor and I am very happy with the lathe.

IMG_20240507_171227 (1).jpg
 
Mark Jundanian said:
Cover them with 3M Packaging Tape. It will hold those stickers onto your lathe forever and a day.

Does Rikon offer a swing away for the TS, or a hinge for the bed extension?
Click to expand...

I'll do that.

This lathe does not have a TS hinge/swing away. That's probably the #1 reason I bought the bed extension. I probably could have gotten by without it, but I wanted to be sure I could slide the TS completely out of the way. I like the extra room. The bed extension/outboard turning kit (it has a tool rest extension) is only $250, which I found pretty reasonable.
 
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