Rikon 1/2 HP 12 x 16 for $282.14
Craftsman 1/2 HP 12 x 16 for $269.99
Both Brand new are the tapers the same on most Lathes to take a drill chuck ans to take a three jaw chuck?
Which woul be the best for the money and holding up to use?

I would go for the Rikon because I have some experience with it. It's a lot of tool for the money. A lot of value there. The slight additional length over most of the similar lathes means you can do a lot more without having to buy a bed extension. Sammy MIckel has one and I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you his impressions if you'll email him and ask.

The Craftsman may be equally good, I just haven't had much luck with their power tools in recent years. But I've not actually seen or used that particular lathe.

............

Try the Buy/Sell page and see what may be there.

Bill - willierods.com

I'm not very familiar with either one, but hear the Rikon gets good marks. No, the tapers are not necessarily the same on all lathes. Some are #1MT and some are #2MT they should specify. Chucks are readily available for either taper, with #2 being the most popular.

I've heard that the Craftsman will only accept Sears accessories whereas the rikon would have more accessoires available from OEM's.

I own and use the Rikon, its a GREAT lathe with many many extras as Tom stated.

Rikon.

DR

I, too, have the Rikon and it's been great for my applications.

Sam

Sam Hightower
Richmond, Va

IF you can save an extra $100 ... you can catch the Jet 1220 on sale for just under $400. It has a 20" center, meaning no extension needed. In addition it offers ... a 3/4hp motor, an additional 10" rest and an integrated worklight. Just a thought. IMO, the extra 4" makes a big difference.

Dale,
You might check out the lathes from Penn State Industries @ pennstateindustries.com

In particular:

[www.pennstateind.com]

You get a lot of lathe for the money.

Remember, before you are finished, it is pretty normal to spend as much for accessories as for your original purchase. i.e. you will likely want 2 or 3 different chucks. You will likely want two or three different tail stock accessories. You will likely want a selection of mandrals etc. etc. etc.

So, if you initially spend $300 on the lathe, you will likely spend another $200- $300 to really make it as usable as it can be.

Roger

My opinion is that you should decide what tool will basically do everything you want or think you would want it to do, then buy the next level up.
By doing this, you get one that will do what you want but has the capability to do more when you learn to use it and then decide you want to try something
that was not on your original list. For example, I bought a hobby lathe to just do cork. Never thought I would want to do anything else. Wrong---now I would really
like to do some wood working but my lathe wont do what I want. If I had bought the next level up, no problems. Roger is right on the accessories--they will at least
equal what you spend on the lathe and if you can find a deal where a lot are thrown in, you are probably better off for it. I avoid Sears because so many of their tools
will not allow for other mfgs accessories to be used--only their own. Good luck.

Always better to have and not need - then to need and not have

Bill - willierods.com