"Bugs" wrote in message
oups.com...
snip----
If you have the room, look at buying a larger, older lathe for a
fraction of the cost. It will make little parts fine, and also bigger
parts, which you will inevitably get into as you gain experience.

Bad advice if he intends to do small work. Yes, large machines can do small
work, but have you tried drilling a #60 hole in steel @ 500 RPM? Have you
turned a ¼" shaft on a 20" lathe? Need I say more?

Try to size your machine to the work you expect to do. Regardless of the
size you buy, it will never be able to handle all the projects that come
along. Best advice is to buy the machine that fits best the things you
intend to do so they run well.

Harold