Opinion...Rikon vs. Jet vs. Steel City

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MesquiteMan said:
As for VS...when I turn on my DVR, I don't evne use it there! I have 3 speeds for turning pens...3500 for turning, 1500 for sanding and applying CA, and off!
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You do use it...how are you changing speed if not?

You may not think of the hassle of changing belts right now because of your VS capability but you will miss it once you got one w/o.

I am a big Jet fan but even a bigger VS fan.
 
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Curtis, I cannot give you an opinion on any of the lathes you have to choose from. But I did have a thought when I read your question. Since I will soon be looking to make the same decision, I know that the Jet would already have a couple of marks in its favor simply because so many other turners have one. That support alone being available to me is a fairly big selling point. I have spent years using a lathe that no one has ever heard of. when it comes to solving problems or finding parts I am pretty much on my own.
I thought I would just give you one more consideration to toss in your cauldron, as if you didn't have enough already.
 
I have extra large hands and the Rikon was the only mini lathe what allowed me to change belts easily. I would love a variable speed. But wait. Rikon has a variable speed mini-lath now! ASk Woodcraft about it. I had a personal phone call with the VP at Rikon in July about the var. Rikon. Its available now!

BTW And for all us Rikon lathe owners they also have the conversion kit so we can change out our mini lathe to a variable speed lathe too!

If my wife reads this Christmas is just 81 days away!
 
Curtis,
I have the Nova DVR XP and just recently purchased the Nova 1624-44 for SWMBO (and is a great help :)
Both are great lathes and work well.
But like a lot of turners, I started with a Jet 1014VS, and have drug it around (sometimes almost literally) to many demo's for over four years. It has never let me down..!!..I would highly suggest the VS no matter which choice you make.
 
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The Rikon is the only one I have owned. If it can survive a complete newbie for two and half years with no problems, not to mention three other newbies who bought theres after tryng mine, its got my vote

Larry
 
I also have the Rikon and it is a great lathe. It is easy to change the speed on it, much easier then on a Jet. I turn bowls, even winged bowls and still have plenty of clearance. I use it on their stand and it does not vibrate a lot or move around when turning off center objects. Like Bill said they now make a variable speed Rikon so that is also an option. I have always had good customer service.
 
Curtis: My father has the Jet 1014VS and loves it. Only problem he has had is he had to replace the switch which has been discussed on here before. He went to the local auto parts store and had it replaced within an hour. As for my opinion though, I would take a serious look at the new Delta Midi Lathe which I seen in my latest Rockler flyer that they had it on sale for 10% off, which brings the price down to $509. Whichever you choose I would chime in with the others who are in favor of the variable speed. If your wife is not used to changing the belts, that alone may burn her out on using any lathe, I know it would me. Whichever brand you choose, many of us are waiting to hear which you choose.
 
Wow, I stopped in at Woodcraft yesterday and I LOVE the new Delta. Variable speed sort of, but the belt can be moved between three pullies. The bed is machined and very wide and the lathe as a whole looks solid as heck.

The other thing I saw was teh Rikon mini lathe stand. A simple work of art in flat black paint. It is adjustable in width and VERY adjustable in height to fit nearly anyone out there. Plenty of room for you to stand up close and move around easily. Price tag is $10 less than the Jet stand too.
 
I ended up doing a little horse trading for a Rockler store brand Excallibur lathe. This is the same lathe as a Turncrafter Pro sold by PSI. Not as good of a lathe as the ones I was considering but for what I want it for, I will be PERFECT. Besides, the "price" was right!
 
BTW, my wife decided she was not interested, at least at this time so she was not a consideration on this one. IF she decides to try turning, she can use the DVR and I will use the little one!

Remember, I was not looking for a primary lathe. I was looking for a backup and possibly carry around lathe that might get used 2 or 3 times per year!
 
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