RunnerVince
Member
My 1953 Craftsman is, I think, on it's last leg. There's a knocking noise coming from it and even a new belt and new bearings haven't fixed the issue. I can still use it, but it's only a matter of time before it outright breaks or I get so annoyed with it that I stop turning. So I'm in the market. I'm looking at the following lathes:
Delta 46-460
Jet 1221VS
Nova Comet II DR
Nova Comet 14DR
Laguna Revo 1216
Rikon 70-220VSR
On paper, they're all about the same in most respects, except for the variation in distance between centers. My top priority is that the headstock and tailstock are aligned and that things lock down and stay where they're supposed to. All these lathes have the speeed ranges I want, and as long as belt changes aren't a complete hassle, I don't mind changing belts to get a higher finishing speed or a lower sanding speed.
Any of you that own any of these lathes, I'd appreciate comments on what you like most and least about your lathe. I'm also open to suggestions if I've missed one you think I should consider. I'm OK with anything in the $500 to $850 range. I don't need tools or accessories except to replace a few MT1 items from my current lathe and shorter/longer toolrests depending on what comes with a given lathe, and I'm accounting for those separately.
Thanks in advance.
Delta 46-460
Jet 1221VS
Nova Comet II DR
Nova Comet 14DR
Laguna Revo 1216
Rikon 70-220VSR
On paper, they're all about the same in most respects, except for the variation in distance between centers. My top priority is that the headstock and tailstock are aligned and that things lock down and stay where they're supposed to. All these lathes have the speeed ranges I want, and as long as belt changes aren't a complete hassle, I don't mind changing belts to get a higher finishing speed or a lower sanding speed.
Any of you that own any of these lathes, I'd appreciate comments on what you like most and least about your lathe. I'm also open to suggestions if I've missed one you think I should consider. I'm OK with anything in the $500 to $850 range. I don't need tools or accessories except to replace a few MT1 items from my current lathe and shorter/longer toolrests depending on what comes with a given lathe, and I'm accounting for those separately.
Thanks in advance.