Not at all. In fact, you change a gear, you add a gear by screwing it
in.
I did a LOT of research before buying the lathemaster. The 9x20's all
have problems endemic to the basic design. I don't know why, but they
do. What's really cool is the precision of the lathemaster. .0002 TIR.
I mean, I really was going to get a 4000 dollar Prazi SD400 and
decided to give this a try. I'm glad I did. I'm serious when I say I'd
like to compare mine to an HLV. Of course I'd rather have the 16,000
dollar HLV, but I doubt if there is much functional difference, at
least not 15,000 worth.
But don't take my word for it, go he
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Mini_lathe..._7x.htm#lm8x14
My problem with the lathe is it's too small. I really need a 12x30 at
a minimum.
Heavy? They had to put it in my car with a forklift and I had to
totally disassemble it to get into my apartment. They say it weighs
190lbs, and it weighs every bit of that. It's not noisy at all. 3am
turning projects and no one notices. The motor is really powerful so
beware leaving the gear cover open if you've got little ones running
around. It won't stop for fingers.
I really love it. If it were a woman its hair would be all in a dander
and it would be glowing.
It is a real lathe. If they've got lathes on nuclear submarines where
space is tight and demands are high,I figure this would be it. Made in
China to boot :-)