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Woodturner's Resource › Woodturning › Tool Talk › Ridgid Lathe?

(Moderator: Ken Vaughan)

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Ridgid Lathe? (Read 200 times)

Lark Leazar

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Hook 'Em!

Posts: 189
Eastern Iowa
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Ridgid Lathe?
07/31/10 at 03:52:46

This was a new one on me.
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$200 seems to good to be true. I'm afraid that's probably the case. Look at the specs:

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1/2 hp on a lathe this size, seems woefully underpowered.

3/4 spindle? Seems a wee small.

4 turning speeds? Wow.

Tubular bed. The "no's" are adding up.

Jet Mini

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Chuck Beland WR Champion Offline I got my eyes on you. Posts: 7951 Rhode Island Gender:	Re: Ridgid Lathe? Reply #1 - 07/31/10 at 03:56:25 Lark, I agree, Also I don't like the # 1 MT
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Vaughn McMillan

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Does this nose make me
look fat?

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SoCal
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Re: Ridgid Lathe?
Reply #2 - 07/31/10 at 04:09:18

Your math is spot on, Lark. It's a No x 4, especially at $200. As much as I hate to say it, I'm guessing even Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

from Harbor Freight would be a better value. Actually, the Ridgid might be an OK spindle lathe, but about the only thing I've heard about those lathes is when people are trying to get rid of them. Ridgid does make some good tools, but their lathes aren't one of them. Wink

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Guy Bratt

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WR Rocks!

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southeast Michigan
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Re: Ridgid Lathe?
Reply #3 - 07/31/10 at 07:46:07

HI Lark
I have a sears monotube just like that. I have it in the barn for sale between $50 and $75. It's very light weight only one bearing on the headstock as I remember. I did turn a ten inch bowl with it. Lots of vibration. I inherited it from my dad who never used it. Bought a Rikon within a year. I'd suggest wait and save $ for something heavier. Guy

If something doesn't kill you it still hurts really bad

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Ken Vaughan

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Still learning

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Juneau Alaska
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Re: Ridgid Lathe?
Reply #4 - 07/31/10 at 08:08:22

I really wanted one of those in about 1970, and the design was old then. Sears brand --

Lathes have come a long way since then.

For about $50 in good shape, it would be a good start for a kid to learn on. It will do pens and bottle stoppers or spindles OK --

There is a lot of adaptability of 3/4 by 16 head stock so for a good price, it would make a buffing setup.

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JimQuarles WR Administrator WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 6201 Glendale, AZ Gender:	Re: Ridgid Lathe? Reply #5 - 07/31/10 at 10:01:20 Can you see trying to rough a bowl at 875 RPM? Another NO! JimQuarles
Back to top	Mentor Basics, Pens, small stuff, Acrylics, EasyRougher. Just Turnin' Around! Glendale, AZ "Right now I'm having amnesia and deja vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before." - Steven Wright IP Logged

Jim Killen WR Patron Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 170 NYC Gender:	Re: Ridgid Lathe? Reply #6 - 07/31/10 at 12:22:56 I'd say that's the old Craftsman made by Emerson Tool (I think). I owned one about forty years ago. It'll do basic turning, but it's not a serious tool, and it's almost impossible to keep the head and tailstock aligned. I'd pass it up if I were you.
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Joey Nieves

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WR Rocks! And so do I!

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Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
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Re: Ridgid Lathe?
Reply #7 - 07/31/10 at 19:32:22

Guys;
I own one in mint condition and they are very impressive for the size and price. I made many bowls, plates and eggs on mine and it is a very good first lathe, specially if it's a gift.
I changed the base from MDF to 2 x 16 wood top that is heavier and gave the lathe a little more stability.
I've heard some say that it's not the tool it's the challenge, after all anyone can rough a bowl on a Oneway 2436. lolk

(just kidding)

Now for $250 you can get a good mini lathe with a 12 in swing from Rikon.

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