Revo 12|16 Midi Lathe Reviews

3.6 Rating 9 Reviews

About Woodcraft:

Woodcraft Supply, LLC is one of the nation's oldest and largest suppliers of quality woodworking tools and supplies. You'll find Woodcraft stores in more than 70 major metropolitan areas across the U.S.; and Woodcraft annually distributes 1.5 million catalogs featuring more than 10,000 items to all 50 states and 117 foreign countries. The Woodcraft catalog is a standard among woodworkers as the most complete offering of first rate products for woodworking available anywhere. Woodcraft also publishes six issues of Woodcraft Magazine annually.

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Phone:

800-535-4486

Location:

1177 Rosemar Rd,
Parkersburg
West Virginia
26105

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“I’m completely new to turning wood and this really seems like a great starter lathe. I can’t believe how quiet this machine is and it works great. Really looking forward to getting the hang of it and making great woodwork. Laguna never lets me down”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 months ago

Michael Wallingford

Unverified Reviewer

“I bought this leave about four months ago. I only make small items like pens and Christmas ornaments. I haven’t made anything bigger. This is such an improvement over my last leave and it was within my budget.”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 months ago

“So far it is working great for pen making. I have not tried bowls as of yet.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 9 months ago

“I wouldn’t recommend this lathe. I bought this model a little more than 2 years ago. Right at the end of the warranty period is when I started having problems which is a 2 year time frame. I had to replace the control board, switches, motor, and lastly a digital readout board. The last part did not fix my lathe and now it is nothing but a cast iron shell. I will say that they gave me parts under warranty so I am only out the initial investment and the only reason they get one star. All my issues were electrical of some nature. I’ve moved on to a different manufacturer.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 1 year ago

“This is a great lathe for smaller projects, a downside tho is it just doesnt have the power for a 12inch piece let alone anything to be used in outside turning, for which I bought the accessories that are practically useless. Good for what it is, but know that if you want to work bigger, buy bigger.”

5 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

“I really like this machine. It is a solid, well balanced machine, and definitely worth the price. The machine is really quiet and smooth running, it does make a loud whining sound from the headstock at higher speeds but it still smooth. Banjo is well made and solid, locks in place securely. Tool post clamp was pretty loose. Tail stock is very solid as well, although I make mostly bowl type projects. I got the stand, mobility kit, and 10" extension for outboard turning. There are really only a couple minor criticisms, none a real deal breaker. Tool post clamp takes a VERY heavy hand to clamp the tool rest, and even then it will move over tine with use. This little handle on the screw will eventually break, as pushing on this so hard will weaken it over time for sure. Either the hole in the clamp is too large, or the post is too small, or possibly a combination of both. The outboard bearing will literally fall out as soon as the hand brake is removed. The advertising literature states that the outboard bearing is a press fit...absolutely NOT true. The machine REQUIRES either the hand brake or the adapter included with the outboard kit, as these actually hold the bearing in place. IMO, this is a pretty bad design. Tightening the hand brake too much puts a bind on the bearings and actually keeps the shaft from turning smoothly. This will lead to early bearing failure. If the set screws on the adapter are not tightened gradually and evenly, the adapter will not spin true, as there is a lot of slop in the threads. Remember, there is no stop on the screw except for the bearing, and tightening the adapter will put the head bearings in a bind. I feel like I am taxing the machine by turning any piece that is larger than about 10". Even with a 1/4" gouge, I have to hold back on the cut (tools are very sharp and I have been turning for a long time) to keep from stalling the machine. Cuts need to be made lightly and gently. I have not tried anything larger than 12", but I doubt that this machine has the power to turn anything any larger. Knowing the cons of this machine, I still do not regret my purchase. If I had the $$$ I would have gone for the bigger machine, but it is not in my budget.”

6 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

“Iâ€™ve had two of these lathes now and both of them have had noticeable run out (you can see if without a dial indicator). The first one it happened on I contacted Laguna and they gave me the run around- their customer service rep Travis Day was asking me to take my lathe apart to inspect certain parts. Mind you I am not a machinist or an expert on Laguna lathes. I could tell this was going nowhere, so I contacted my local woodcraft (Richmond) and as usual they were beyond helpful and had a new lathe en route immediately. Thank god for them. So I swapped out the lathes and started turning again, everything seemed fine for the first week or so I was on it. There was a little vibration but nothing like the last one, so I paid it no mind. I used a buddies dial indicator yesterday after trying to turn a bowl and getting a ton of shake and vibration. The lathe has run out. Again. Iâ€™m planning to start the process over again with either Laguna or woodcraft. I sold my Jet midi to get this lathe and am beyond bummed about it. I never had issues with my old lathe and will definitely not be buying anything from Laguna again. As for my local woodcraft- they are the best.”

5 Helpful Report

Posted 6 years ago

“This machine is marvelous! I had a Rikon 70-105 that had a ton of issues, so I replaced it with this lathe. I am nothing but impressed. The belt change mechanism is seamless, the forward/reverse is excellent for sanding, the control interface is both beautiful and easy to use, and the extension options are already built in for expansion. I will be purchasing all of the extensions soon. If youvplan on getting into turning, get this lathe. Itâ€™s perfect for beginners, but has all the power you will need as you learn and go pro.”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 7 years ago