Writing
Notes, essays, and research from Lathesong.
- Lathes
Rikon 70-220VSR Review: Speed, Swing, and Successor
Rikon 70-220VSR review: 250 to 3,850 RPM, 12.5-inch swing, 20-inch capacity, owner experience, and what the discontinuation means for used-market buyers today.
- Tools
Rikon 80-808 Review: Slow-Speed Bench Grinder for Turners
The Rikon 80-808 reviewed: an 8-inch, 1 HP slow-speed bench grinder at 1,750 RPM and $290, and why slow speed matters for sharpening turning tools cleanly.
- Tools
Woodturning Sharpening Setup: Grinder, Jig, and Wheels
The complete woodturning sharpening station: slow-speed grinder, the Oneway Wolverine jig and Vari-Grind, CBN vs aluminum oxide wheels, and the total cost.
- Lathes
Wen 3424T Review: Fixed Speeds, Budget Price, Long Bed
Wen 3424T (now sold as the LA3424): five belt-drive speeds from 520 to 3,400 RPM, 12-inch swing, 18-inch between centers, $369 entry-level pricing.
- Finishing
Food Safe Wood Finish: What Actually Works (and the Myth)
The food-safe wood finish myth, killed with primary sources: cure vs dry, the finish families honestly compared, and a decision table for boards and bowls.
- Lathe Reviews
Jet JWL-1221VS Review: The Midi Lathe Owners Recommend
The Jet JWL-1221VS midi lathe reviewed: verified specs, the variable-speed experience, what a 12-inch swing really turns, and who should buy a Rikon.