If you are looking for a mini lathe, the Rikon 70-105 Mini Wood Lathe is an excellent choice. It has many accessories that make it perfect for beginners and experienced woodworkers alike. However, this machine does have its drawbacks which we will discuss below.
The Rikon 70-105 Mini Wood Lathe is a high-quality tool made in America by our friends at Rikon Manufacturing Company. They have been making quality tools for a long time; so they know what they are doing when it comes to building machines like this one!
This particular model measures 35.5 x 10.5 x 14.75 inches tall and weighs just over 74 pounds according to the manufacturer’s specifications listed on their website. The Rikon 70 was created with one purpose in mind, to make a high-quality pen-turning wood lathe.
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Rikon 70-105 Lathe Review
The Rikon 70-105 mini wood lathe was designed based on requests from pen turners; they wanted a dedicated machine for their craft. This product is a basic mini lathe made of cast iron. This eliminates the vibration that can be an issue in other models produced of aluminum.
Five different speed ranges allow the Rikon 70-105 Mini Lathe to perform a plethora of tasks. These tasks include boring barrel holes, roughing out pen billets, turning to shape, and finishing. The motor speed ranges from 500 to 3,200 RPM.
The Rikon 70-105 mini wood lathe includes a live center, tool rest, and wrenches.
This mini wood lathe has a 10″ swing over the bed as well as a 7.25″ swing over the tool rest, which allows it to serve many purposes and provide the versatility of use.
The Rikon 70-105 Mini Lathe boasts an impressive range of 18 inches between centers, allowing for longer spindles to be turned as would be expected despite a small and lightweight design. Couple this with a powerfully effective ½ horsepower motor that is sure to stand the test of time.
The safety on\off switch is a nice feature if you have children and want to make sure they can never turn on the machine.
The large handles and wheels on the Rikon 70-105 mini wood lathe make it easy to adjust the machine when working on a variety of projects. The 6-inch tool rest is convenient because it lets you work with other tools by your side.
Next, we are going to take a look at the pros and cons of this wood lathe.
Pros
- A powerful ½ horsepower motor with 500 to 3200 RPM.
- 18 inches between centers.
- Large handles and wheels that make adjustment easy.
- Tool rest for other tools to be used with the machine.
- The lightweight design and small size make it easy to position the Rikon 70-105 mini wood lathe.
- Durable and made with high-quality materials.
Cons
- Having lower starting RPM would have been more useful.
- No reverse function.
- This machine is designed for smaller projects and cannot handle large ones.
Performance Of The Rikon 70-105 Wood Lathe
Whether you are an amateur or professional turner, the Rikon 70-105 mini wood lathe definitely beats out its competition in this price range. If you have worked with an aluminum lathe before, you will be familiar with the annoying vibrations and high amplitude from the motor that makes it challenging to continue working for long hours. This makes potential professionals start hating the trade.
The Rikon 70-105 mini-lathe has five variable speeds, which is a great feature for when you need to change speed. We usually switch to another lathe in workshops when changing speeds, but this isn’t necessary with the 5 variable speeds of the Rikon 70-105 – we can see projects from start to finish quicker and more accurately.
Aesthetics
The majority of people in the present time are more focused on looks than anything else. When looking to purchase something, they first consider its look before any specifications or benefits.
Manufacturers are now paying more attention to how a lathe looks, which can be off-putting for some buyers who take pride in their equipment. The Rikon 70-105 is beautifully designed and has many colors that can only be seen up close.
Safety
Safety is the first priority in any workshop, and that’s why Rikon puts safety measures in place to protect you. In order to prevent electric shocks, all of their machines are fully insulated and earthed.
The Rikon 70-105 Mini Lathe’s on/off switch is hidden behind a flip-up lever which ensures safety.
Rikon provides their customers with a five-year warranty on the 70-105 mini wood lathe, so you can rest easy knowing there is a backup in case it malfunctions.
This Product Is Ideal For…
The Rikon 70-105 mini wood lathe was designed explicitly for pen turning, but also features materials that are easy to use for beginners and amateurs. So if you are a beginner and you look for a wood lathe make sure to give this one a try.
If you are looking for a wood lathe that can do more than small projects you can read this article: 6 Best Wood Lathes For Home Workshop.
Read More Rikon Reviews:
– Rikon 70-220VSR
– Rikon 70-150VSR
Conclusion Of The Rikon 70-105 Lathe Review
The Rikon 70-105 Mini Wood Lathe is a quality tool with many accessories that make it perfect for beginners that want to get started pen-turning. It has its drawbacks, but they are not gonna stop you from creating awesome products.
If you are looking for an affordable mini lathe, this may be just what you need! Thank you for reading the Rikon 70-105 Lathe Review and good luck on your future projects.