Hangin out down in the Old Machinery Forum and seeing Joshua's old lathe, got me thinking again about purchasing a lathe.  Seems I can get a Delta Rockwell lathe all day long on Ebay for around 200 bucks, good ol American heavy metal.  What say you guys, is Joshua's lathe a good lathe for a newbie turner like myself to do maybe small bowls, and furniture spindles?  I do love the looks of the older lathes, and I understand looks aren't everything, but I do like the older machinery look.  And that rockwell like Josh has, sure a nice one. 

Oh, and I am not insinuating that Josh's lathe is a beginner lathe, it's just the size that attracts me, it looks like it would only twist my hand if I got it in there instead of ripping it off like the bigger ones would.

Hey John, the way I look at it any lathe that will turn square stock into round stock is a good lathe. I have a Jet 1236 tha I purchased used for 300.00 and they through in some tools and spare parts.

I got the longer bed 36" so I could turn table legs which I have yet to do. I really wasn't looking to turn small items but you never know what will come off the lathe.

One thing I really like about it is that since of instant gratification. I can go out there and in a short time take a piece of wood and make something. Sometimes if I have had a rough day at work and didn't fill like I accomplished anything, it will call for an evening trip to the lathe.

Pick you out one and jump on it, you will find it very stimulating.