The moment of truth
Now I'll tell you what kind of lathe I have. I have a Craftsman (made in Taiwan and imported by Colovos) because it's what I can afford. The lathe is a 15" x 40" w/swivelling headstock, all cam-lock adjusting, and laser-straight.
A friend, who is a surveyor, checked it w/his laser. We swivelled the head 5 times and, once the cam was locked and the index pin in, it was straight every time.
It has turned everything I've put on it from pens to 40 lb blocks of cherry and myrtle, when it's running. I say "when it's running" because the headstock was designed by "engineers" that think the more complex you make a machine the better it is--NOT!
The speed is controled by two split pulleys, from 382 rpm to 2,190 rpm (friend's laser tachometer.) Every month or so the top split pulley binds up so I have to take the machine apart and relube the shaft--about an hour.
The main drive belt is buried, I do mean buried, in the headstock. It's a 4 hour job to change that belt.
Yes, I'd love to have a 3520a or a Oneway but until and unless I win the big lotto prize they're not something I'll ever have.
As Jeff said, one has "X" dollars to buy something then one does one's research and buys the best something "X" dollars will buy.
The product support I've received from Colovos has been the greatest. When the original headstock went bad after one month they sent me a new one--no charge. The problem was a manufacturer's defect, pieces of the iron casting got into the motor and it locked up and took out the field coils.
So, folks, one turns on what one can afford and dream of bigger things.
Thanks for responding; hopefully you responses will be of value to others as well as myself.