Hardinge Lathes are the best. We use them at
Utitec Inc. to machine parts to .0003" tolerences or even tighter by hand (No CNC machine could handel those jobs). Hardenge lathes last a long long long time, and they run very conecentric. In the manufacturing business Hardinge lathes are like the mercedes benz of lathes (best example i have heard from my shop instructor). We also have Harrisions which are very good lathes but as the get older they don't hold up as well. Our Harrision lathes are probably 10-15 yrs old, brand new the tool makers tell me they were very good, now they taper about .002" if we stick a part out of a collet more than 5-6 inches. Depending on what you need to do you may not need to spend the money on a hardinge. IMO stick with the major companies (Bridgeport, DoAll, Hardinge, Harisson and.. i forgot the other company)