[Steve Davis]

Richard, I bought the lathe on eBay. If I remember correctly, it was about $500 shipped. I’m sure they are a little more now. But, the initial price is about one half of the total cost. You can get started with a few tools but, you will soon realize some upgrades are needed. You will need a quick change tool post with several tool holders. I have added digital readout’s and a quick lock on the tailstock. My machine is a 7x14, 7 is the swing and 14 is the distance between centers. 14 is the absolute minimum that you should consider, even if you don’t think you will ever need to turn a long piece. The problem with a short bed is, the tail stock will get in the way of some operations. As far as quality goes, these are hobby grade machines. They are not rigid enough for serious steel work but, for aluminum, brass or plastic they work quite well. All said, after having the machine, I would not want to be without it. Besides using it to make cabinet feet and Philco service tools, I have made control shaft extensions, wound coils, polished Mershon filter capacitors and many, many other things. 

Steve