Woodcraft has a Black Friday special on the RIKON 1216 VSMini lathe for 229.99. Thats the best price I've seen on a decent lathe in a long time. And it includes a live tail center. However I have a lathe and I have the hots for a new rod and I can't have it all and pay my son's tuition bill.

Best price on a great lathe is on the Grizzly #9247......$150.00 plus or minus! Great machine, variable speed.......I still have one I use! This model was the first I ever bought (used from Bassmaster) and it is a great lathe!:uhuh:

It actually looks alot like the one pictured above...less money!

I should get with the times? Its numbered 8259 now...$235.00! They appear to be made by the same manufacturer. These are great machines and perfect for a beginner or a seasoned pro!

Unfortunately Grizzly discontinued the #9247. Bassmaster's name brings back memories. I've passed by your shop many times on my way to my mothers in Hanson. Hope all is well and business is good.

Rikon makes a great mini lathe stand that I use with my general mini lathe

Hey fishing bum how have you been? All good I hope. Been a long while. Miss seeing you around the plugbuilding forum. Happy thanksgiving. Paul

I should get with the times? Its numbered 8259 now...$235.00! They appear to be made by the same manufacturer. These are great machines and perfect for a beginner or a seasoned pro!

Rikon is rebadged for a lot of companies, a bunch of Craftsman tools are Rikon.
Also the one mentioned in this post is the 1216 or 12" x 16" not a 10x14 and it's a steal at that price!

Rikon did not have a 12" midi when I wanted to replace my 10" Rikon so I went with the Jet, I wish I had the Rikon :uhuh:

We bought my Father-in-law a 9247 a few years ago after his wife died to help him stay occupied and he loved it! When he passed earlier this year it came to me.....glad to have another and it helps me think of him! He was a very talented craftsman himself!:uhuh:

Hi paul. I've been lurking but not turning for a few years. This summer I got bored and cranked up the lathe. I did some 6" bottle darters, which swim well, and more recently some polaris style swimmer/poppers, they swim as well as they pop, and they cast a mile. Right now the finishes are pretty crude with just a couple of coats of rattle can. I will post pics after I get the airbrush and dryer set up and some proper finish on some.

Great to see you post Fred :)
long time, I think of you now and then
I know what you mean about the tuition
Hopefully we'll see you at plugfest or something soon
I need to get back into building some plugs too

Happy Thanksgiving

Highland has the Rikon 70-050VS for $249. I think the Variable speed is worth way more than the extra $20. Its also a 12X16" lathe. I like mine and use the VS feature a lot.

I think the one at WoodCraft has the same variable speed system.

If anyone decides to get this lathe from WoodCraft, make sure you use the $10 off coupon on their site. If you decide to get it from a store to save on shipping, there is a printable coupon in their sale flier on the site as well. Should cover most of the sales tax in most states.

Just ordered the Rikon from Woodcraft thanks for posting this Fishing Bum.

Just ordered the Rikon from Woodcraft thanks for posting this Fishing Bum.

You won't regret it! Top quality lathe, and I think they are better than a Jet or Delta, smooth and powerful.

You won't regret it! Top quality lathe, and I think they are better than a Jet or Delta, smooth and powerful.

Thanks I was thinking of buying a used Jet and Vega but after reading this and other posts here I decided for a little extra money I could get the Rikon lathe and a new Vega. I can't wait to get them. I've been using a homemade dupe and an old Delta 48" lathe with good results but I've wanted the Vega for awhile and the price of the lathe made it hard to pass up.

Lathe finally came in and got it set-up. I couldn't be happier with it.

Looks great Mark!
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sweet.... you will have a blast with that... and if you want to turn some longer non plug projects you can add an extension bed

I have the same set up. VS Rikon and the Vega. Nice tools! Good Luck with it.

Now how about a good table saw at half off!! I keep hoping! :)