Rikon 70-3040

[Kevin Jenness]

I would like to get feedback from any users of this lathe. It appears to be the most compact lathe that will spin pieces over 24" with tailstock support. I am currently turning on a General 2060-20.

[Brian Tymchak]

Not a user (yet), but it's on my radar for my big-boy lathe. I like it because it has 4 bearings in the headstock, or so I've read. However the motorized bed gives me a little pause as possibly being one of those things that could fail and be an annoyance. At least with Rikon, I would expect there to be parts available for quite a while.

Like everything else, the price just jumped recently.

[Kevin Jenness]

The sliding bed motor can be disconnected if it fails. Seems like an unnecessary feature.

[Robert Henrickson]

Not a user (yet), but it's on my radar for my big-boy lathe. I like it because it has 4 bearings in the headstock, or so I've read. However the motorized bed gives me a little pause as possibly being one of those things that could fail and be an annoyance. At least with Rikon, I would expect there to be parts available for quite a while.

Like everything else, the price just jumped recently.

I think that perhaps your Schumacher quote is relevant. Simple is good.

[Earl McLain]

Robust Sweet 16 is a 16” swing, but has a bed insert that can be removed for a 32” swing. Insert can be attached to the tail for longer spindle if desired. I’ve not gone past 16” so can’t comment on the ease to change, but seems easy.
earl

[Kevin Jenness]

The Sweet 16 is a nice design. I would be more interested if the basic swing was more than 16" and/or the bed gap was more than 12.4". The Rikon will swing up to 23" x 40" or 31" x 20" with the bed extended.

[tom lucas]

The Rikon is a good way to save floor space, but I don't think the headstock moves, which means you can't turn off the end. That would be a deal breaker for me.

[Kevin Jenness]

It does have a fixed headstock, which I prefer. For some reason, probably to ease belt changes, the motor is not in the base but sticks out on the left end as if it did have a sliding headstock. That and the lack of a spindle lock seem like poor design choices, but otherwise it looks good on paper. More capacity than a Stubby 750 though not built quite as heavy.

[Brian Tymchak]

...That and the lack of a spindle lock seem like poor design choices ...

The 70-3040 has a spindle lock, or at least the documentation says it does. Unfortunately, I've not been able to see one of these beasts in person.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/18...page=14#manual

[Kevin Jenness]

The 70-3040 has a spindle lock, or at least the documentation says it does. Unfortunately, I've not been able to see one of these beasts in person.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/18...page=14#manual

It has an indexing pin, but the manual (p.14) warns against using it as a spindle lock to remove accessories. A spindle wrench is supplied for that purpose.