paper: DIY 'encoder stage' for VersaPlanetary

[asid61]

Originally Posted by Nate Laverdure

It's a Chinese 7x10 similar to Harbor Freight 93212. I've since rebuilt it as a 7x16 with a number of other modifications, but stock it would have been able to do this job just fine. They sell new for $550.

You can find Harbor Freight 20% off coupons online, and it's usually only $500 there, so it ends up being $400 for a 7x12. The Seig style chinese lathes are all made in the same place, so you still get the same thing as if you bought from Grizzly, with minor customizations.
mini-lathe.com is a good resource.
The 7x10 is actually only a 7x8 (7" diameter part, 8" max length to be simple) and the 7x12 is an actual 7x12, so it's a good deal to invest in the latter IMO.
Craigslist can sometime have good deals, but you should know what you're looking for to do that. Measuring the accuracy is critical.

EDIT: In general I would use a mill because of the versatility for FRC, so if it comes down to buying a tool a mill would be my first choice.