Don't write off second hand lathes, there are some real bargains to be had in ex-industrial quality machines at the same money as you will pay for poor quality Chinese stuff!
I have a Colchester Bantam, a minature heavy duty lathe. I don't have room for a Student, which is quite a lot larger and heavier The Bantam is superbly built, mine is ex-school, so not really much used. I converted it to single phase but could have used it with an inverter.
Much better than a cheap far-eastern lathe. which you should avoid at any price and more versatile than a Myford which, although a quality job, is really a modelmakers machine at 3 1/2" centre height (7" swing). Several local Austin 7 friends have Bantams as well.
Another alternative is a Boxford, which is not quite as robust as a Bantam but well made. Raglan Little John lathes have a keen following.
I have a Colchester Bantam, a minature heavy duty lathe. I don't have room for a Student, which is quite a lot larger and heavier The Bantam is superbly built, mine is ex-school, so not really much used. I converted it to single phase but could have used it with an inverter.
Much better than a cheap far-eastern lathe. which you should avoid at any price and more versatile than a Myford which, although a quality job, is really a modelmakers machine at 3 1/2" centre height (7" swing). Several local Austin 7 friends have Bantams as well.
Another alternative is a Boxford, which is not quite as robust as a Bantam but well made. Raglan Little John lathes have a keen following.