On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 2:11:21 PM UTC-7, Gunner Asch wrote:
I got an email from a pistol smith buddy of mine who is looking for a very small lathe..something with a footprint under 3 feet: "Hi buddy. Can you give me your opinion please. Are these junk, or usable for me? Can I turn 1..5" on them? http://www.ebay.com/itm/350747008678 http://www.ebay.com/itm/250978927093 Or is something this better for me? http://www.ebay.com/itm/111027293774 http://www.ebay.com/itm/251243228471" Ive had zero experience with the little ones so dont have a clue as to suitibility of any of them. Anyone have any comments? Ive been trying to find him a decent small South Bend or similar with little luck. He has very tight quarters and only works on pistols Gunner

The best of the lot is the EMCO but 1.5 inch dia is going to stress it unless it is plastic of AL.
The cheap imports spin fast so threading can be sporty

I found this EMCO 11 X 24 on creag's list and it is realy good lathe. I had one in our lab and loved it.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/3715386389.html

I often see a SB 9 X 18 for sale at around $600. IMHO this would be a much better lathe.

Good luck