I am considering purchasing a mini lathe for turning rod inserts and fighting butts. It will be my first time owning a lathe. Which of the following two lathes do you recommend: the RIKON Mini Lathe, Model 70-100, or the Jet - JML-1014I:10"X14"Indexing Mini Lathe. Thanks in advance. Michael

Can't go wrong with either!!! Where the choices come in is the chuck, tools, etc. First thing that I would suggest is to get a copy of Andy Dear's (Lamar Fishing, on the left) DVD "The Wood Lathe in Rodbuilding"

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I own the Rikon and really like the features and the lathe in general.

DR

i own the jet 1014 and love it. i have heard good things about the rikon, but not firsthand. i emailed jet to find out about the new 1014i. i was advised it is still in quality control and there is no release date yet. if you go with a jet you won't be disappointed.
a side note
i was talking to the guys at the woodworking shop(klingspors) and wanted to get a spare belt for my lathe to have in case i needed it. they didnt have one. i inquired further and they have never had to order one for any of their customers. i thought that was a pretty good indicator.

I own the Rikon and love it. For your money you can't go wrong with either. You might even want to consider Penn States line. I would have to agree with Mike on the tooling and chucks. When I was considering lathes it really didn't pop into to my mind what accessories you need just to turn, not to mention sharpening your tools.

I was looking at a bit larger machine. ( [www.harborfreight.com] )
Harbour Freight has a 40" for $139, I have a good chuck, and would mount mine on a bench. They sell a basic 4 jaw chuck for around $25 and a stand as well. But all totalled it's less than either a Jet or Rikon mini lathe.
I am currently using an antique belt driven lathe which can handle about 25". But I have on occasion needed to do larger cork sections.
If you have the space, a larger machine may be the better choice, it will allow you to use it for other things as well. I don't keep my lathe where I wrap and coat rods, too dusty, I have mine in the basement away from things that need to stay clean.

My main reason for looking for a new lathe here is that the old one is pretty noisy and a bit crude. It's flat belt driven by an old Westinghouse motor with a sticker on it "Last serviced: June 12, 1947. So it's been around a while. It also requires that I keep several oil resovoirs wet to lube the bushings, its too old to have any sort of ball or roller bearings and the grease seals are leather packings. It gets the job done, but this thing is more of a museum piece these days.