Nova (Teknatool)
NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe
$599.99Cheaper
Best Wood Lathes · head-to-head
NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe vs Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe is cheaper at $599.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
No photo yet
Rikon
Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe
$649.99
Which is better: the NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe or Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe?
The NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe is the cheaper at $599.99. The NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
See NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe on Amazon See Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe | Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $599.99 | $649.99 |
| Brand | Nova (Teknatool) | Rikon |
| Released | — | — |
| Swing over bed (in) | 12 | 12.5 |
| Distance between centers (in) | 16.5 | 20 |
| Motor power hp | 0.75 | 1 |
| Speed range (rpm) | 250-4000 | 250-750 / 550-1650 / 1300-3850 |
| Variable speed | Yes | Yes |
| Spindle thread | 1 x 8 TPI | 1 x 8 TPI |
| Bed material | Cast iron | Cast iron |
| Tailstock taper | MT2 | MT2 |
| Weight (lb) | 84 | 115 |
Sources — NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe: teknatool.com (verified 2026-08-01). Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe: web.archive.org (verified 2026-08-01).
What's the difference between the NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe and Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 9). Matching specs are omitted.
- Swing over bed (in): NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe 12 vs Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe 12.5
- Distance between centers (in): NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe 16.5 vs Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe 20
- Motor power hp: NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe 0.75 vs Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe 1
- Speed range (rpm): NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe 250-4000 vs Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe 250-750 / 550-1650 / 1300-3850
- Weight (lb): NOVA Comet II DR Midi Lathe 84 vs Rikon 70-220VSR 12-1/2" x 20" Midi VSR Lathe 115