Rek-O-Kut VS Presto Lathes

[domignostika]

Hey there everyone

Wondering If there was any kind of consensus on a better machine for a newbie between these two companies, and what features really make them stand out from one another.

Seems Imperials and 6n's are owned by a lot of folks in the community; Is one easier to operate and maintain than the other? Do they have around the same amount of customization? Are some things harder to cut on one and easier on another?

Imperials seem to have an on board amp a lot of the time, which has been drawing me in that direction. Appreciate any help guys! -

[Angus McCarthy]

From what I've gathered, the pros for an Imperial-type Rek-o-kut are pretty much what you've stated. Normally they have an integrated amp, whereas a 6N would not. They're a nice, elegant package. The downside is that parts for Rek-o-kuts (leadscrews in particular) are not always as easy to track down as those for a 6N. Also, the larger platter of the 6N makes it a little more versatile when it comes to size and type of material to be cut, though that's really only a concern if you're attempting to cut 14-inch masters or play back 16-inch transcription discs. You're also more likely to find 6Ns orphaned from their plinths and cases than you would with Imperials, it seems.

Then there's always the Presto K series. They're rugged and pretty reliable machines, though they don't produce as nuanced a cut as you can get with an overhead & crank system.

[domignostika]

Awesome, thanks for the Info Angus, your posts throughout the board have been very helpful.

Yeah, I would honestly love to go for a 6n, but complete machines have seemed harder to come by. A nice collection of leadscrews and a huge platter would make the possibility of this hobby endless!

The right machine will show its face in due time!