RIKON Power Tools VSR MIDI Lathe (RIK-70-150VSR)

I bought this lathe just over 2 years ago and neglected to write a review. It was my first lathe, even my first time ever using a lathe. Talk about a big step in woodworking, I was super nervous. Jet, Delta, Wen, Grizzly, etc. which one to start with? I already had a Rikon bench grinder, and my uncle had just purchased the 10" bandsaw, which really impressed me. Honestly, those were the two factors that nudged me to this lathe.Fast forward two years and I could not have been more happy with my choice. I have turned everything from spinning tops to bowls, mallets, jewelry boxes, tea lamps, and even "hand reel" fishing poles.Well the other day I was turning a mallet for a buddy and my gouge caught a knot and stopped the motor. No big deal, happened before. Only this time the motor would not turn back on.I hesitated to contact customer service because I just passed two years. But thankfully I did and the people at Rikon are great. Phil was my service rep and they decided to send me a replacement control box, even though I offered to pay for it.I would DEFINITELY recommend Rikon tools to anyone, especially if you are starting out. The 14" bandsaw has my eye next..... hopefully the wifey agrees.Thanks for your time,-bryan from Chicago

Nice machine, solid, easy to use. We did experience a piece of plastic breaking behind the shut off switch but the company quickly sent out a replacement.

I have turned wood for a while now, and this is a portable lathe that I can take with me on vacation if needed (in my 5th wheel camper) and set up easily to do hobby work on the road. It is well made and a good starter lathe if you are getting into the hobby.

First thing is that I like this lathe. Rikon did surprise me though. I have another Rikon lathe (70-3040) and I love it. So, when it came time to replace a rapidly dying Delta Midi-lathe I elected to go with the 70-150VSR. Now, after turning about 60 pens on it there are some things that I am noticing. First thing that truly shocked me was the "fit and finish" of this lathe. It isn't as good as I expected from Rikon. The lathe bed is not smooth. It is quite rough. The banjo and tail stock move OK on it but it is nowhere as good as my big Rikon lathe. The lower door is hard to get inside of to change belt position. I have somewhat large hands (where a size nine glove) and have a tough time getting my hand in there. Plus, the metal around the door is a bit sharp so it makes it that much more of a hassle to get the belt in the right place on the lower pully. The two handles on the tail stock get really close to each other when you are trying to get things settled properly. If I move the ram tightening handle it can interfere with the tail stock lock handle. I finally took it all apart and moved the tailstock handle into a new spot so that it locks at a different place. The power switch on the remote control box is going to take some getting used to!! And, the only place that it fits on the left side of the lathe is below the headstock. I finally mounted a metal plate to the wall behind and toward the right end of the lathe and mounted it there.Having to push the "Emergency stop" button and then reset it every time I turn off the lathe is a bother too. You have to push the "Emergency stop" switch and then rotate is about 60 degrees and pop it out to turn the lathe back on. I may take it apart and replace the switch with a different configuration. (Like on my 70-3040).I am getting the electrical errors quite a bit that require the lathe to be unplugged to reset it. When I called Rikon about it they said "...yeah, that lathe does that. Not really anything you can do about it though..."!! I have come to expect more from Rikon than that.Last, but not least, the tool rest shelf. It is to small to hold the basic tools for the lathe. If you put both of the lathe wrenches on the tool rest then you can't store the knockout bar on it. Don't even think about putting any actual turning tools on it unless they are very small, detail like tools. They just had to make it to small to fit on the back of the headstock.Don't get me wrong, I do like this lathe. It has decent power for midi-lathe. It has a good solid bed. Quick to set up. Good ram travel. It came with a wonderful tool rest! But those are the things are disappointing coming from Rikon. I would buy another 70-150VSR if I ever needed to. All in all I give it a 4/5. If it had better finish and fixed the other things it would certainly be a 5/5.

When I realized it was made in China, I hesitated but at that price, this is a is a Cadillac compared to my old one. Could be ISO quality control is paying off for this company. Built well and goes nice and slow for the larger projects. I like being able to move the tethered controls where I want them.

I purchased this lathe and have no regrets! The mother compensates for load, maintaining the selected RPM. there is a lag, so if your in the middle of a cut, don’t back off on the tool pressure. Maintain and the machine will reward you with the RPM. everything works as well as higher priced machines. Quiet as the proverbial Church Mouse! Tailstock travel is good! I did buy a chuck and a drill chuck with a #2 Morse Taper for hogging out material with large Drills. Love the speed ranges that each of the three selections provide. I usually run the middle range and only select the outer ranges as needed. As with any wood lathe, your tool section, quality, and sharpness will be the determining factor for your enjoying this great machine. I like the weight of the machine! I have it on a bench that serves me multiple uses. When I’m turning, I slide it forward and it’s heft keeps it in place without the need to attach it to the bench. Then when I’m finished, I just slide it to the back of the bench, cover it for protection and it stays there safe until needed. When you buy a lathe, buy the largest one you have room for! I do not regret buying this one! Would I consider purchasing a different lathe? Only if I had more room, and then it would be a Rikon product!After having the lathe for going on three years I can say it performs well. Actually it’s a great lathe for safety. It has the torque needed to turn bowls at the maximum swing for the machine. But if you have a flaw in the wood that sets you up for a snag you can stop the lathe without breaking a tool or throwing something out. I have a couple of face plates, a chuck, live center , and conventional tools as well as inserted tools. I am limited on space but I did buy the extension for the lathe. This allows for spindles to be turned. Overall, anything I buy and can say I would buy it again three years later has to be looked at as a great buy.