Rikon 70-1218VS - Short Review

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TonyL

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Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
8,904
Location
Georgia
I bought this while helping another member find a lathe on sale. The "bad" news is, this is lathe number 6; the good news is I don't want any more lathes.:)

I turned my first pen with it tonight. I would place this smack in the middle of the Jet 1015VS and 1221VS. I like the 3/4 HP and the VS. I knew it didn't have reverse which I use for sanding.

It has a several useful belt ranges. I can basically keep in on the middle pulley at 900 to 2600 and do all but drill with it at that speed. I like to sand at 700 rpms, but 900 worked fine. For 18% off of regular price and assuming it lasts a few years, I am happy. I prefer it over the 1015 because of the additional HP (although the 1015 turns all that I turn just fine).

It does have a much larger tool post hole which renders all of my tool posts unusable. I will have to call Rick Herrell to make me one. I used the stock post and it was ok.

Too early to tell if it will have any issues.
 
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greenacres2

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Joined
May 2, 2017
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1,686
Location
Northwest IN
Tony--Rikon sells a 1" to 5/8" bushing that I found helpful for my 70-220. Might work for you if your posts are correct height. Or Rick may have a similar solution.
Earl
 

TonyL

Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
8,904
Location
Georgia
Tony--Rikon sells a 1" to 5/8" bushing that I found helpful for my 70-220.
Might work for you if your posts are correct height. Or Rick may have a similar
solution.
Earl

Excellent! Thank you.
 

Woodchipper

Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2017
Messages
5,138
Location
Cleveland, TN
Bought a Rikon 70-050VS which has been replaced. Not big but I don't turn large things. Has a 5 year warranty. Like it. However, it doesn't have an anti-catch switch.
 
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