Benchtop Lathe Recommendations Please

[Joe Hollis]

Hello,
I have never done any turning, but am considering the purchase of a small benchtop lathe to make tool handles, dowels, and perhaps the occasional bowl. I would be very grateful for any recommendations you may wish to offer as to what lathes would be worth considering for this application. I do not want to cheap out and buy an under-powered, flimsy tool that won't do anything well. Similarly, I am not primarily a wood turner, and don't need or expect the lathe to perform like the larger more serious full-size versions many of you may own. As a starting reference point, Lee Valley sell a Rikon Model 70-220VSR 12.5" x 20" 1 h.p. "Midi" lathe that is just under $1,000.00 Cdn. I've no idea whether a lathe like this is more a toy than a serious tool.

I have set a semi-flexible upper price limit of around $1500.00 Cdn. for the basic lathe, not including turning tools and other necessary accessories. I have under-bought tools before though, and don't want make that mistake again...

Thanks in advance for any advice you wish to offer.

Joe H.

[Steve Eure]

I started out with the Rikon 70-220 VSR and would highly recommend it for a benchtop machine. It handled all that I put it through. I upgraded to a much larger lathe a year or so later, but still have the Rikon and still use it on small stuff. Nice machine. If I were in the market today, I would take a hard look at the Laguna 1216 also. I have it's larger brother and have been well pleased with that machine also. It has some nice features and is in the approximate price range of the Rikon.

[Earl McLain]

I also have that Rikon 70-220 VSR, and also a Delta 46-460. The Rikon is definitely not a toy--and a 9" or 10" bowl is not a little piece of wood, so you could easily build some skill at 1/3 the cost of a "big lathe"--and make that step up later. If i ever do buy a bigger lathe, i'd probably keep the Rikon. I turn a fair number of pens & bottle stoppers, lately been doing some bowls...mostly up to about 7"...and gearing up to try some segmenting.

(the Delta is also a nice lathe, but the speed controller seems to be problematic--mine fluctuates up and down in speed so i've only been using it to buff/polish. Need to get it in for warranty work--or decide to find a way to bypass the controller and control from the outside)

earl

[Thomas Canfield]

I bought a Rikon 70-220 back in October and highly recommend it. It is a solid machine if fastened down to a bench and I have turned several 12" pieces from raw chainsawed wood, not the store bought balanced wood. I really like the 3 -1/2" quill travel on tailstock and the strong frame and 1" post on tool rest. The variable speed range is OK but I would like a little more range in the mid range to eliminate some belt changes. I do use all three speed ranges, slow for the larger rough pieces, mid for most turnings, and high for pens. I have a Powermatic 3520B but will use the Rikon more often for smaller work.

[Pat Scott]

Another vote for the Laguna 12/16. Normal price is $799 but if you wait for Laguna to have one of their frequent sales you can save 10% (the sale might be going on now?).

Our club just bought it's 2nd Laguna 12/16 for club classes. The Rockler store where we hold our classes replaced all of their classroom lathes with 12/16's also.

[Prashun Patel]

I was going to counsel going larger. The ability to turn larger bowls or furniture legs is nice to have.

I see that the Laguna 12-16 has a bed extension and outboard turning capability to allow this.

I have the Laguna 18-36 and have been happy with the fit and finish.

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Not sure if the Jet 12" midi is in your budget, but take a look at it. The new 10" I have not turned on, no idea if it still is underpowered. I have 2 Jet 10" lathes and a the Rikon 12" that you're looking at. They are all very much older. I prefer the build quality of the Jets over the Rikon.
That said, I do like the Rikon and no, it is not a toy. The new ones should be even better than the one I have. If you don't really plan to turn a bowl, I would look for a used Jet mini, you can get them for cheap. The reason I have 2 of them is, one popped up for 250 with tools and a chuck. Could not pass up the deal. Practice with the Mini and when you feel comfortable, buy a bigger lathe. But the old Jet mini is underpowered, for bowls. All my pens are turned on that.

[Dave Jain]

I would stay away from Grizzly, customer service is question able.