RIKON Model 70-450 20 x 37 Woodfast Lathe EVS

[Bart Leetch]

What are your thoughts on this lathe?

http://www.toolcenter.com/70-450.html

[Al Wasser]

Rikon makes some good tools but that is the first I knew they made a large lathe. The little ones seem to be OK. It must be a new one on the market. You might check on parts and servicing in your area. Maybe others know more

[Justin Stephen]

They have had the 70-500 out for a little while now, which is a 20" lathe, but one that rings up at about $3000. Now it looks like they have both a 70-425 and the 70-450 out, both 20x37 lathes with a 1.5HP motor, a headstock that swivels 90 degrees, and an optional outboard toolrest. The only difference I am seeing between the two at first glance is that the 70-450 is 220V only and $400 more. On the other hand, no sliding headstock and a smaller motor than the more expensive mustard monster.

Still, with 20" lathes available in the $2100-$2500 price range, they may make some serious traction in the market.

[Jamie Donaldson]

Woodfast lathes made in Australia were top quality for years, and I still frequently turn on my 409 shortbed. But I haven't used any new models since being purchased by Rikon, so don't know if the quality has been maintained.

[Alan Trout]

Rikon bought the rights to the old Woodfast lathes and then moved production to Asia. The Rikon 70-500 is essentially is the Asian copy of the original Woodfast lathes that were very highly regarded. The model you are showing looks like a morphed 70-500. The bedcasting looks the same and the banjo and the tailstock with a different headstock that swivels and slides. I know that these are also sold in England under the Record label as well. I am sure they are pretty good lathes but until I used or inspected one I might hold judgement till that time.

Alan

[Bart Leetch]

They have had the 70-500 out for a little while now, which is a 20" lathe, but one that rings up at about $3000. Now it looks like they have both a 70-425 and the 70-450 out, both 20x37 lathes with a 1.5HP motor, a headstock that swivels 90 degrees, and an optional outboard toolrest. The only difference I am seeing between the two at first glance is that the 70-450 is 220V only and $400 more. On the other hand, no sliding headstock and a smaller motor than the more expensive mustard monster.

Still, with 20" lathes available in the $2100-$2500 price range, they may make some serious traction in the market.

It has a swivel head stock, VFD & 6 step pulley system which will help with torque. I think the pulleys make the 2 HP motor like PM a moot point. The head only swivels it doesn't slide.

[Brian Libby]

I have seem one up close at Woodcraft. Alot of cast iron, looks like a good lathe for the $$$'s !

[James Hamilton]

A good turner needs a good lathe. Me, I use a big HF one that's never let me down. But I'm not a good turner...

[Steve Kubien]

There was a review of this lathe in the UK mag, "Woodturning" 1-2 years ago. It was most favorable.

[Jeff Fagen]

One of the guys in our turning club has owned a 20" Ricon for a number of years and he said it was the nicest big lathe for the price.He does a lot of large turnings and it has held up well.He also has a Ricon bandsaw that he was not happy with untill he made some changes.I noticed that he sells very few large items but coninues to turn them out.