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Rikon Woodfast 70 500

A

adam luna

Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
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Location
Denver
Any of you guys own a Rikon Woodfast 70 500? I bought mine 4 months ago and I'm very pleased, I just don't see much information in the internet or see many people with a similar lathe. I know this model was taken from the Australian Woodfast lathe, but would like to hear your thoughts about it.

Thanks!

Adam Luna
 
A few years back, there were complaints about the quality of the Rikon Woodfast lathe. Haven't heard much about them lately. The Woodfast is a very simple machine. Cast iron with simple finish machining. As long as those two things are done well, it would be hard to have a bad lathe. What brand of motor did they use?
 
I found several reviews of the lathe. I also found all of the technical details, FAQ's, and owners manual on the Rikon web site. Maybe you could start the ball rolling by posting your feedback on the lathe. That way, other owner's could use search engines to find the thread and share their experiences.
 
adam luna said:
Any of you guys own a Rikon Woodfast 70 500? I bought mine 4 months ago and I'm very pleased, I just don't see much information in the internet or see many people with a similar lathe. I know this model was taken from the Australian Woodfast lathe, but would like to hear your thoughts about it. Thanks! Adam Luna
Click to expand...

Adam I have owned a 20" woodfast for a long time 18 years plus. Used to be my main lathe then it was Sherry's main lathe.
We still use in classes and it is a good machine. Also taught lots of classes at Md. Hall with 8 woodfasts for the students.

I did 3 or 4 demos on the Ricon version a few years ago.
It performed well and it was a lot like the woodfast.
The controls are improved over the ones on my woodfast. Ricon gave it a wide footprint so it can handles out of balance work better that my woodfast.

It is a lathe that will work well.
I would like to see better locks on the tool rest for sure.
When I turn on a woodfast or any machine with a short lock on the tool rest I give the locking handle a tap with the gouge handle when I lock it.
They just come loose too often.
I would like to see a bigger hand wheel on the tailstock too small for serious drilling it is okay for between center work.

I would also like a self ejecting tail center. But it is easy enough to use the knockout bar. It is also a real easy to unlearn that once I had lathes that self eject.

Have fun,
Ak
 
I don't know about the larger lathes, but my Rikon Mini lathe I like very much. For smaller work it is ideal, spindles or smaller bowls. Speed choices are very desirable.
 
Thanks for the comments, yes the tool rest lock appears to be too small for sure, and I think that was one of the issues with it on past reviews I have read, other than that I'm pretty happy with it. I don't know what motor I have I will look it up tonight and get back on that one. it's very quite compared to my previous Reeves motor ones 1641 VS Jet. It is solid for sure, I just don't like the fact that the Electronic Speed Display stays on at all times... It just seems that might burn down at some point. Do you know if there's a way to get this not to stay on at all times?

Thanks!
 
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