buying a lathe?

[Steven Smith]

I've been quite pleased with my PM-1127 VF in my home shop. The fit/finish is significantly better than what you'd get from something of the Harbor Freight variety.

We're actually having the same discussion on our team regarding a lathe. The other mentors would like to have something in the school shop just to cut spacers to length, and maybe turn an end down now and then. We could get something to handle that for <$1000, but the next $1000-$1500 buys so much more lathe. I know the $5K+ range gives you better material removal rates and the ability to handle even longer/larger stock, but so far my $2.5K home lathe has served me well.