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RIKON has built a loyal following among woodturners by offering solid lathes with long warranties at prices below the premium brands. Its current lineup runs from a 10-inch mini to a 30-inch sliding-bed giant, and every model carries a five-year warranty, which is as long as any major brand offers.
This RIKON lathe review compares the current models on the specs RIKON publishes: swing, distance between centers, motor, speed ranges, spindle thread and weight. It also covers what happened to the popular 70-220VSR and which accessories to budget for. For a cross-brand view, see our best midi lathes and best wood lathe guides.
Quick picks
- Best RIKON Mini: 70-105. Best for pens, spindles and small projects with a 5-year warranty.
- Best Value Kit: 70-1516VSRK. Best for a midi with a four-jaw chuck and accessories in the box.
- Best Overall RIKON: 70-1420VSR. Best for 14-inch bowls on 115V with a full-size spindle.
- Best for Huge Work: 70-3040. Best for very large bowls and platters on a motorized sliding bed.
RIKON lathes compared
| Model | Swing over bed | Between centers | Motor | Speed ranges (RPM) | Spindle | Weight | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70-105 | 10 in. | 18 in. | 1/2 HP, 3.7 A | 5 speeds: 500–3,200 | 1 in. x 8 TPI | 75 lb | See options |
| 70-1516VSRK | 12 in. | 16-1/2 in. | 1-1/4 HP, 120V | 250–850, 430–1,450, 950–3,200 | 1 in. x 8 TPI | 99 lb | See options |
| 70-1420VSR | 14 in. | 20 in. | 1-1/2 HP, 115V, 13 A | 150–720, 550–1,650, 1,300–3,850 | 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI | 137 lb | See options |
| 70-1824VSR2 | 18 in. | 24 in. | 2-1/2 HP, 230V | 50–900, 100–1,850, 200–3,850 | 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI | 373 lb | See options |
| 70-3040 | 23-7/32 to 31-1/4 in. | 20 to 40 in. | 3 HP, 220V | 20–650, 50–1,750, 100–3,850 | 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI | 546 lb | See options |
All five use MT2 tapers in the headstock and tailstock, and RIKON lists a five-year warranty on each.
Which of these lathes fit your work?
Enter a size to filter the table above. Tap a column heading to sort.
Diameter is checked against swing over the bed, which is the maximum; the practical limit over the banjo is smaller. Length is checked against distance between centers. Figures come from the table above, so a lathe with an unlisted spec stays visible.
The RIKON lathes, reviewed
1. RIKON 70-105: Best RIKON Mini
Who it's for: pen turners and beginners who want a simple, durable mini lathe with a long bed for its class.
The 70-105 is RIKON's mini lathe, and its 18 inches between centers is generous for a 10-inch-swing machine. It has a 1/2 HP TEFC motor (3.7 amps, 120V) and five belt speeds: 500, 1,175, 1,850, 2,225 and 3,200 RPM. The spindle nose is 1 in. x 8 TPI, and both headstock and tailstock take MT2, so pen mandrels and standard centers fit.
RIKON includes a live center, tool rest, knockout bar and wrenches, and lists a nylon faceplate washer, a self-ejecting tailstock and the ability to add multiple bed extensions. Net weight is 75 lb. Fixed belt speeds and a 500 RPM floor mean it is best for spindles, pens and small, balanced bowls.
Pros
- 18 inches between centers on a mini
- Standard 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle and MT2 tapers
- Bed extensions available
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Five fixed speeds, belt changes needed
- 500 RPM minimum
- No reverse or readout
RIKON 70-105 10 in. x 18 in. Mini Lathe
by RIKON
Currently unavailable on Amazon
2. RIKON 70-1516VSRK: Best Value Kit
Who it's for: buyers who want a variable speed midi and bowl-ready work-holding in one box.
The "K" means kit. RIKON ships the 70-1516VSRK with its Z3 four-jaw chuck system and 2-inch (50 mm) jaws, a spur center, a live center, a 3-inch faceplate, a 6-inch tool rest on a 1-inch post, knockout bars, wrenches and a tool holder. That is the full work-holding setup for spindles and bowls.
The lathe has 12 inches of swing (9-1/4 inches over the tool rest), 16-1/2 inches between centers and a 1-1/4 HP motor on 120V that RIKON's description calls brushless DC. Three variable ranges cover 250–850, 430–1,450 and 950–3,200 RPM, with forward and reverse, a digital readout and 24 indexing positions. Net weight is 99 lb. A 13-1/2-inch bed extension (70-903) adds length. Our wood lathe with tools guide pairs it with starter tool sets.
Pros
- Z3 chuck, jaws, centers and faceplate included
- Variable speed with reverse and readout
- 24-position indexing
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- 250 RPM low end
- 16-1/2 inches between centers without the extension
- 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle, so bigger chucks need inserts later
RIKON 70-1516VSRK 12 in. x 16-1/2 in. VSRK Midi Lathe with Z3 Chuck System
by RIKON
Currently unavailable on Amazon
3. RIKON 70-1420VSR: Best Overall RIKON
Who it's for: bowl turners who want 14 inches of swing without moving to a floor lathe.
The 70-1420VSR pushes the midi format to its limit: 14 inches of swing over the bed (10-5/8 inches over the tool rest) and 20 inches between centers, driven by a 1-1/2 HP TEFC motor on 115V that draws 13 amps. Three variable ranges cover 150–720, 550–1,650 and 1,300–3,850 RPM, and the lathe runs forward and reverse.
Unusually for a midi, it uses a 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI spindle, the full-size standard, with MT2 at both ends. It has 24 indexing positions, 4 inches of ram travel and a 1-inch tool rest post, and RIKON lists the weight at 137 lb. Optional accessories include the 70-800 turning tool set and the 70-920 universal stand. A 150 RPM floor is not as low as the best JETs and Lagunas, but it is a real step down from RIKON's other benchtop models.
Pros
- 14-inch swing and 1-1/2 HP on 115V
- Full-size 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI spindle
- 150 RPM low end with reverse
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- No digital readout listed
- Belt changes between three ranges
- Chucks from smaller lathes need a new insert
RIKON 70-1420VSR 14 in. x 20 in. Midi VSR Lathe
by RIKON
Currently unavailable on Amazon
4. RIKON 70-3040: Best for Huge Work
Who it's for: turners with space, a 220V circuit and very large bowls, platters or outboard projects.
The 70-3040 is RIKON's flagship and one of the more unusual lathes on the market. A motorized upper bed slides away from the headstock, extending distance between centers from 20 to 40 inches and increasing swing over the lower bed from 23-7/32 to 31-1/4 inches. Swing over the tool rest runs from 17-13/32 to 25-7/16 inches.
It has a 3 HP TEFC motor on 220V (14.8 amps), forward and reverse, and three variable ranges: 20–650, 50–1,750 and 100–3,850 RPM, shown on an LCD speed display. That 20 RPM floor is the lowest in RIKON's lineup. The spindle is 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI with MT2 tapers, there are 36 indexing positions, and a magnetic-back control box can sit anywhere along the bed. Net weight is 546 lb, with the spindle 44 inches off the floor.
Pros
- Sliding bed: 20 to 40 inches between centers
- Over 31 inches of swing over the lower bed
- 3 HP with a 20 RPM low end
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- 220V only
- 546 lb net weight needs planning
- Premium price tier
RIKON 70-3040 30 in. x 40 in. VSR Lathe with Sliding Bed
by RIKON
Currently unavailable on Amazon
Also in the lineup: RIKON 70-1824VSR2
RIKON's 18-inch floor lathe, the 70-1824VSR2, has 18 inches of swing (13-3/4 inches over the rest), 24 inches between centers, a 2-1/2 HP motor on 230V, three ranges from 50 to 3,850 RPM, a headstock that swivels 180 degrees for outboard turning, a digital readout, 24 indexing positions and a 373 lb weight. It is a strong choice for 220V shops, but we could not confirm a matching Amazon listing for the VSR2, so check RIKON's dealer list. The earlier 70-1824VSR (1-3/4 HP, 115V) still appears at some retailers and was listed as out of stock on RIKON's site.
Buying guide: choosing a RIKON lathe
Spindle thread
The 70-105 and 70-1516VSRK use 1 in. x 8 TPI. The 70-1420VSR, 70-1824VSR2 and 70-3040 use 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI. If you plan to move up later, a chuck with an insert system makes the switch cheaper. See our best wood lathe chucks.
Low-end speed
The American Association of Woodturners advises starting unbalanced work slowly. RIKON's low ends are 500 RPM on the 70-105, 250 on the 70-1516VSRK, 150 on the 70-1420VSR, 50 on the 70-1824VSR2 and 20 on the 70-3040. For rough green bowls, the lower the better.
RIKON lathe chucks
RIKON sells its own Z3 and Z4 chuck systems and jaws. The Z3 comes with the 70-1516VSRK. Other brands' chucks fit with the right thread or insert.
RIKON lathe stand and extensions
RIKON lists a 70-920 universal stand for its midis and a 70-903 bed extension for the 70-1516VSRK. The 70-105 accepts multiple extensions. A stand plus sandbags is the cheapest way to reduce vibration on a benchtop lathe.
Older models: 70-220VSR, 70-150VSR and 70-100
These names come up often in searches. RIKON's current lathe page lists six machines, and the 70-220VSR, 70-150VSR and 70-100 are not among them. They can be good used buys, but confirm parts availability first; our used vs new wood lathe guide has an inspection checklist.
RIKON vs JET
RIKON and JET both offer five-year warranties. JET's JWL-1221VS has a lower 60 RPM start and a readout, while RIKON's 70-1420VSR offers more swing and power and a full-size spindle, and the 70-1516VSRK includes a chuck. Our JET wood lathe review covers JET's side, and our RIKON vs JET lathe comparison sets the models side by side.
Price tiers
- Budget to mid-range: 70-105.
- Mid-range: 70-1516VSRK and 70-1420VSR.
- Premium: 70-1824VSR2 and 70-3040.
How we chose
We did not test these lathes ourselves. We compared RIKON's published specifications and included-accessory lists for each current model, checked them against retailer listings, and weighed them on capacity, low-end speed, spindle standard and value. Where RIKON's own page and description disagree, as with the 70-1516VSRK's motor type, we note it.
FAQ
Are RIKON lathes good?
RIKON lathes are popular for their value and warranty. Every current model carries a five-year warranty, the midis offer variable speed with reverse, and the 70-1516VSRK ships with a four-jaw chuck. The trade-off is that RIKON's low-end speeds (150 to 500 RPM on the smaller models) are higher than the 50 to 60 RPM of some JET and Laguna lathes.
What happened to the RIKON 70-220VSR?
The long-running 70-220VSR midi lathe no longer appears on RIKON's current lathe page. RIKON's current midis are the 70-1420VSR and 70-1516VSRK. If you find a 70-220VSR, check parts availability with RIKON before buying.
What chuck fits a RIKON lathe?
The 70-105 and 70-1516VSRK use a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle; the 70-1420VSR, 70-1824VSR2 and 70-3040 use 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI. RIKON's own Z3 and Z4 chuck systems fit, as do other chucks with the right thread or insert.
Does RIKON make a lathe stand?
Yes. RIKON lists a 70-920 universal stand as an optional accessory for its midi lathes. A stand puts the spindle at a better working height and gives you a place to add weight.
What is the difference between the RIKON 70-1516VSRK and 70-1420VSR?
The 70-1516VSRK is a 12 x 16-1/2 inch kit lathe with a 1-1/4 HP brushless motor, a 1 in. x 8 TPI spindle, 250 RPM low end, a digital readout and an included Z3 chuck. The 70-1420VSR is a 14 x 20 inch lathe with a 1-1/2 HP motor, a 1-1/4 in. x 8 TPI spindle and a 150 RPM low end, sold without a chuck.
Verdict
The RIKON 70-1420VSR is the best RIKON lathe for most turners: 14 inches of swing, 1-1/2 HP on household power and a full-size spindle, backed for five years. If you want everything in one box, the 70-1516VSRK kit with its Z3 chuck is the best value. The 70-105 suits pens and spindles, and the 70-3040 is for turners whose work has outgrown every other benchtop and floor lathe.