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[Gustin Joss]

Ok, I know Harbor Freight offers cheap tools, but I found this lathe online and want to know if anyone thinks that it would be good enough to get me started. I am just looking for a holdover until next summer when I will have my Ph.D. and a job and money. Any ideas?

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-inch-x-40-inch-lathe-with-7-inch-sander-67690.html

Thanks!

[ta0]

I'll say it is pretty big: you could in theory make a 13" top! 
But the tools will cost you more than the lathe!

[Neff]

This one is more like what I use, but I don't have any experience with the brand at all.  Eric or Rob Tsou might know more.

 http://www.harborfreight.com/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html

[Jeromy K.]

Honestly unless you want to turn a huge top (which I would recommend a more expensive lathe to do it on, Rikon, Jet, Nova. I wish I had one just for the exactness of the parts.) I would go with this one it is a more compact and more exact lathe. http://www.harborfreight.com/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html
I bought this one and wish I had saved up a little longer and got the better one. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-x-33-3-8-eighth-inch-wood-lathe-with-reversible-head-34706.html

[jim in paris]

hi sir boot
i would also go for the one here
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html

the one you selected will have to be screwed to a table whereas the other has feet
the tool rest looks small compared to the other
the tool rest is an essential element when turning

also about tools : you only need 2 ....3 tools to start : be sure to buy the best in the line you can afford it will be well spent money instead of a set of 6 crappy tools

i hope you can start turni ng soon


jim

[robtsou]

If I had to choose one of these from HF, I'd probably go with the one that Chris and everyone else pointed out, the 5 speed benchtop.  The only thing that looks weird about it is that the specs say it has a 3/4-16 threaded headstock but also has an MT2 which seems unlikely, they probably mixed up the headstock and tailstock Morse tapers.  I'd prefer a 1-8 threaded headstock but 3/4-16 is fine and pretty common.  Since it's HF, I'd think about the extended warranty thing in case something on it breaks which seems to be hit or miss with the HF tools.

Almost in the same price range and probably of higher quality with the 1-8 headstock is this one. http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLC10.html

I know these all look the same and they kind of are.  Most of the castings all come from the same places.  The differences are supposedly from the different manufacturers requirements of tolerances and finishes plus motors etc. that are spec'ed.

Hope this helps,

Rob

[Gustin Joss]

Thank you everyone for the feedback. I really appreciate it. 

[Spinningray]

Buying online will probably give you the best deal, but it is always nice to see and touch it first. Good alignment is vital to precise turning. You should be able to put a MT-2 with a taper point in the head stock and in the tail stock that will touch precisely point to point when brought together. There should be no side to side slop when the tail stock is loose. To me, this is the best test of a quality lathe. The head stock should have no slop or movement as well. Misalignment can translate to vibration in your top.

I have gotten by with belts and pulleys for over 10 years now, but a variable speed drive would definitely be nice.

Good luck.

[yollector]

Get the 5 speed bench lathe.
it is all cast iron / it is small but
for yoyos and tops it is perfect for the price.
  The one that you showed is a piece of
junk  / it has tubing for rails and when you
put any pressure on it they bend and nothing
comes out right.
 I have owned them both.
  Richy From Chico
 good luck