Replies

1. 
   john_c2 | Aug 24, 2019 03:46pm | #1

   It's a nice lathe, and it looks to be in fine shape.

   What kind of turning will you want to do? For spindle turning, this is great. If you want to do bowlks, 12 inches is on the small side.

2. 
   jjohn77 | Aug 24, 2019 04:16pm | #2

   At this point, I don't have any interest in bowls. It will be used for spindles, handles, etc.

3. 
   rob_ss | Aug 24, 2019 05:35pm | #3

   It's a nice lathe and a good brand. Big and heavy and will do everything you could ever want, if heftily. If it comes with the tools, that's a bonus.
   You might also want a scroll chuck to go with it, but it's got what you need to get started and will still be worth most of what you pay for it if you hate it.
   It will likely be a very long time before you actually need a lathe bed that long. Unless you want to turn balusters (fool's game - just buy them) or massive furniture parts (say for fireplaces or large table legs) you will never use it and it will just get in the way of doing more fun things. Long pieces of thinner wood will rattle and whip so longer turnings are for heavier pieces of timber or more experienced turners.
   You might like to see if a smaller lathe with electronic variable speed would do the job. These are easier to manhandle and can do all you need too.
   You could for instance get a brand new Nova Comet II, a scroll chuck, jacob's chuck and 6 decent Sorby gouges for that price. Much easier I think to start with new if you can.
   This would require a bench to mount it, but unless you are going for seriously heavy work, will do everything you need for years. My local turning club has a bunch of similar (cheaper!) lathes which do everything any member needs in their first 3-4 years of turning. Smaller lathes may also be easier to sell on later...
   Don't forget to leave room in the budget for a face shield, bench grinder, after-market bench sharpening jig of some kind, a decent grinding wheel and a broom for the shavings!
   Have fun.