Rikon or Steel City?

[Bugle]

I'm considering the purchase of my first lathe. These two are in my price range. Do you see any advantages or disadvantages of either? I would appreciate any expert advice.

Thanks

1. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005508/16400/RIKON-Mini-Lathe.aspx

2. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2021206/25656/Steel-City-5-Speed-Mini-Lathe.aspx

 

[Mt. Gomer]

I can't speak for Steel City or lathes in particular however I will say you cannot go wrong with Rikon in terms of customer service. They are wonderful to deal with, offer knowledagble support, and stand behing their products 100%.

Travis

 

[WoodWrangler]

If I had to pick one, I'd vote Rikon. Steel City looked like an up and comer, but lately looks more like an down and sinker. Not so sure they are going to pull the corner & make it as a company.

However, with that said, I would HIGHLY recommend trying to land a variable speed lathe. You'll get so much more out of it if you can find one!

 

[gator]

There have been rumors floating around the various ww forums that Steel City is having problems, marketing, parts availability and customer service. I think I saw some posts on another forum that WoodCraft (or at least some WoodCrafts) were no longer offering Steel City.

George

 

[WoodWrangler]

There have been rumors floating around the various ww forums that Steel City is having problems, marketing, parts availability and customer service. I think I saw some posts on another forum that WoodCraft (or at least some WoodCrafts) were no longer offering Steel City.

George

Noticed the new Ridgid saws with granite tops that look similar to the Steel City offerings? Uh, yeah. The manufacturer of Steel City stuff decided to offer that stuff up to Ridgid and as I understand it more/less told Steel City to take a second class seat on the wagon. Between customer support issues (in every forum I've read), lack of parts, and growing pains ... it's a bit of a gamble.

 

[Mt. Gomer]

There have been rumors floating around the various ww forums that Steel City is having problems, marketing, parts availability and customer service. I think I saw some posts on another forum that WoodCraft (or at least some WoodCrafts) were no longer offering Steel City.

George

I guess that explains why the SC lathe is on Clearance.

 

[boxxmaker]

RICON,three yrs now and love it.Like said there service is 2nd to none.

 

[Robert Arrowood]

I've got the Ricon and love it.Just haven't had any time on it lately:BangHead::BangHead:.Shop is just TOO cold.

 

[Guy in Paradise]

Why not the other good options?

For example, this one: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLPROVS.html
which is also a variable speed and has all the same specifications as the ones you are looking at. And if you want the 5 speed instead of the variable speed, you can save $30 and still get the bed extension. Look around, there are other good options.

 

[SteveColes]

The Rikon was my first lathe and it was great (it is now the Good will lathe). The Steel city granite has one major problem, no extension table. That means a lot of things that the lathe has the power and precision to do can't be done.