Description
Specializing in high-quality woodworking machinery, Rikon has gained a reputation for producing sturdy, reliable benchtop lathes with carefully machined components for precise operation. The 3/4 horsepower 70-1218VS lathe offers a good balance between power, capacity and portability.
Made from substantial iron castings, it weighs 70 1/2 lb, giving it the mass needed to dampen vibration, yet is easy to move around the workshop (outside the workshop, too – backyard turners, take note!). Compared to many other benchtop lathes, it has greater stock-holding capacity both in swing (12”) and distance between centers (18”), allowing you to turn larger bowls and longer spindles. Its digital controller makes setting spindle speed quick and convenient – just select a range (450 to 1110 rpm, 960 to 2400 rpm or 1400 to 3500 rpm) by moving the drive belt between pulleys, then turn a knob to dial in a precise speed within that range (shown on an LCD screen). There’s no need to stop the lathe once you’ve begun working, so you can go from roughing out a piece straight through to finish-turning and sanding without interruption. The extra-long 8” tool rest reduces the need for frequent repositioning, and mounts on a non-slip banjo.
The lathe uses a 1” × 8 tpi spindle and a #2MT headstock and tailstock for compatibility with a wide range of standard accessories. It comes with a spur center, a live center, a 3” faceplate, an 8” tool rest with a 1” diameter post, a knock-out bar, a wrench, hex keys and a tool holder. Backed by a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.
