Reply by crank49

I am not trying to sway you away from the Rikon at all. I have a Rikon bandsaw and 6” jointer and I am extremely pleased with both of them. I like my Rikon products.

But I have noticed a couple of comments about the MT-2 taper of the Rikon and the thread of the spindle. The HF has the exact same MT-2 taper tail stock and the same spindle thread as the Rikon, Jet, Penn State, etc. The fiit and finish of the HF is where it comes up short.

Like I said, the HF is virtually the same machine as the Penn State except for the paint color. Having said that, I am only satisfied with the HF because I didn’t spend much money on it. And I am glad I didn’t because I now know I want a bigger machine. If pen turning is your goal, the Rikon will serve you well and is quality machine you will probably be happy with.

-- Michael: Hillary has a long list of accomplishments, though most DAs would refer to them as felonies.